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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. In what sense does Beauvoir claim that every man is free?
(a) In the sense that he can choose his own ethic.
(b) In the sense that he is free to end or continue his existence.
(c) In the sense that he spontaneously casts himself into the world.
(d) In the sense that only consequences affect his choices.

2. What is a principle that Beauvoir states that an ethics of ambiguity will refuse to deny a priori?
(a) That "ethics of ambiguity" are as solipsistic as is existentialism.
(b) That the most important element of "ethics of ambiguity" is to disallow them from defining the conduct of those outside their understanding.
(c) That, by definition, "ethics of ambiguity" must remained undefined.
(d) That separate existants can be bound to each other, such as individual freedoms can forge laws valid for all.

3. Of what does Beauvoir accuse political parties in their effort to control the ambiguity of the human condition?
(a) Glorifying war.
(b) Making contradictory statements to appeal to all people.
(c) Abuse of language.
(d) Creating conflicts.

4. How does Beauvoir illustrate how ambiguity affected Christianity?
(a) She showed how poverty allowed a break from salvation through indulgences.
(b) She illustrated that the Reformation challenged the seriousness of the Catholic Church with the Christian Spirit.
(c) She showed how interpretation of scripture was replaced by researching scripture.
(d) She showed how works bound to the dead law were replaced with faith and charity.

5. How does Beauvoir explain that the Marxist paradox lends to her theory the scheme of man is ambiguous?
(a) She shows that, "Morality is based on denial, while work and labor is based upon acquisition."
(b) She suggests that, although, "Marxists deride traditional moral codes that forbid theft and adultery as being 'bourgeois', she points out that strict adherence to Marxist dogma is a moral imperative for revolution."
(c) She agrees that, "One even the most devoted proletariat has what he needs, he begins feeding his desires."
(d) She points out that , "He wants to be, and to the extent that the coincides with this wish, he fails."

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of future does Beauvoir recognize of humans?

2. What does Beauvoir claim a child can do due to his state of security?

3. How does Beauvoir claim to be the only means by which the present can retrieve itself?

4. What knowledge comes to the man who has known real loves, real revolts, real desires and real will according to Beauvoir?

5. Why does Beauvoir suggest that the idea of the ambiguity of existence should not be considered absurd?

(see the answer key)

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