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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3, The Positive Aspect of Ambiguity, Sections 1-3, The Aesthetic Attitude, Freedom and Liberation, The Antinomies of Action.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Beauvoir define as the drama of original choice?
(a) That its affects are ambiguous.
(b) That it justifies the positions of existentialists.
(c) That it goes on moment by moment for an entire lifetime.
(d) That it has both cause and effect.

2. What type of individual does Beauvoir claim adopts the Aesthetic Attitude?
(a) One who uses his freedom to guide others to consider the world in detached contemplation.
(b) One who only contemplates his freedom while he is among others.
(c) One who detaches freedom from will.
(d) One who claims to have no other relation with the world than that of detached contemplation.

3. How does Beauvoir explain that the serious man becomes a dangerous tyrant?
(a) The consequences of his choices to devote himself to his goal requires that he direct the choices of those around him.
(b) His ultimate goal is always to exert power over other people and usurp their freedom to his purposes.
(c) His choice to reject the ambiguity of his freedom combined with the desire to achieve his goal drives him to subject those in his environment to nothing more than instruments of achievement.
(d) He ignores the subjectivity of his choice and sacrifices the freedom of others to achieve his goals.

4. How does Beauvoir compare women to slaves?
(a) By pointing out that women base their success on the contentment of their families.
(b) By pointing out that women create an existence in their minds that escapes the reality of the world around them.
(c) By pointing out that many women choose to be ignorant of the condition of the world.
(d) By pointing out that women are subject to the laws, gods, customs, and truths created by males.

5. What prevents a moral question from presenting itself to the child according to Beauvoir?
(a) A lack of perspective to see himself in the past or seeing himself in the future.
(b) The misunderstanding of spontaneity and affects.
(c) Ignorance of consequences.
(d) Ignorance of the physical world.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the four items that Beauvoir identifies as the "indefinite conquests of existence over being"?

2. What are some of the causes that Beauvoir points out that oppressors will claim to defend in their battles against those who try to overthrow them?

3. What explanation does Beauvoir give to assert that existentialist thought helps to build community.

4. What role does time play what Beauvoir identifies as the ability to will oneself free?

5. What does Beauvoir identify as the paradox of Marxist thought?

(see the answer key)

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