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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 4-5, The Present and the Future, Ambiguity and Conclusion.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Beauvoir define materialist philosophers?
(a) Those who have "striven to reduce mind to matter".
(b) Those who see "no value in thought".
(c) Those who "conceive all matter as eternal".
(d) Those who "see no life after this one".

2. How does the child's life begin actually become serious according to Beauvoir?
(a) By feeling the consequences of poorly thought decisions.
(b) Through following the examples of role models.
(c) By learning which erases his ignorance.
(d) By restricting his actions to those that gain rewards.

3. What type of man does Beauvoir identify as being nihilistic?
(a) When a man who faces failure becomes conscious of being unable to be anything and decides to be nothing.
(b) The point at which the serious man realizes the pursuit of his goals have been made at the expense of his freedom.
(c) The man who disputes the seriousness of another man's goals to the point that his goals are regarded as generally useless as a consequence.
(d) The man who sees the futility of his goals and realizes he has missed the benefits of his ambiguity.

4. How does Beauvoir suggest that a child console himself when confronted with personal imperfection?
(a) By blaming his problem on another child.
(b) By pinning his hopes on the future.
(c) By denying the flaw and moving to his next goal.
(d) By holding to ignorance so as not to have to explain his predicament.

5. What does Beauvoir assert to be the consequences of a world in which every man has to do with other men?
(a) The world is a human world in which each object is penetrated with human meanings.
(b) Every man must recognize that his freedom is only secured as long as no one attempts to oppress others.
(c) The world is subject to the will of men who seek either freedom or oppression.
(d) Every man must accept his ambiguity and will his freedom.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Beauvoir summarize Hegel's view of the future?

2. What does Beauvoir require for an individual to genuinely desire an end in the present?

3. What does Beauvoir identify as the spirit of seriousness?

4. How does Beauvoir claim that the child develops the conviction of good and evil?

5. For whom do Beauvoir and Marx agree that the cause of freedom is most urgent?

(see the answer key)

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