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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. What does Beauvoir mean when she writes, "...festivals whose role is to stop the movement of transcendence?"
(a) Festivals become both a means and an end to obscure the meaninglessness of both the present and the future.
(b) The end has been set up as an end.
(c) Festivals marking a movement's success obscure the means used to attain the success.
(d) Festivals take people away from their future ambiguity.

2. Why does Beauvoir suggest that the idea of the ambiguity of existence should not be considered absurd?
(a) Because to consider the idea that human existence is ambiguous is to deny that human existence can ever be given a meaning.
(b) Because clinging to labeling challenging ideas as absurd only limits intellectual investigation.
(c) Because to consider the ambiguity of existence absurd is to shut down debate that can define human existence.
(d) Because to consider the ambiguity of existence as absurd is, itself, absurd.

3. What does Beauvoir call pursuing the movement toward an end despite the obstacle of certain failure?
(a) The stone pounding complex.
(b) Fighting through delusions.
(c) The free movement of existence.
(d) The act of denial.

4. How does Beauvoir suggest that Christian charity, Epicurean cult of friendship, and Kantian moralism share the same point of views?
(a) By recognizing the similarities that define their ambiguity.
(b) By recognizing the failures of their histories.
(c) By making the individual the ends of which their actions must aim.
(d) By recognizing the limits of their moral laws.

5. What does Beauvoir seek to prove regarding man's mastery of the world?
(a) Man's mastery of the world is futile, because nature is constantly changing beyond man's ability to contain it.
(b) Man's journey to master the world is a quest to meet God.
(c) That the more widespread men attain mastery of the world, the more they find themselves crushed by it.
(d) With each gain to control his surroundings, man feels himself more insignificant within the immense collectivity on the earth.

Short Answer Questions

1. Since human life is finite, with what does Beauvoir suggest the individual should concern himself?

2. What is the point at which existentialism is opposed to dialectic materialism according to Beauvoir?

3. What does Beauvoir claim to be the basis upon which a man decides upon what he wants to be?

4. How does Beauvoir claim that "The Ethics of Ambiguity" compare to the individualism of Christian ethics?

5. What does Beauvoir claim comes of an accomplished act that is left behind by an individual?

(see the answer key)

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