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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are the four items that Beauvoir identifies as the "indefinite conquests of existence over being"?
(a) Time, space, matter, and thought.
(b) Aesthetics, ambiguity, freedom, and oppression.
(c) Past, present, future, and projects.
(d) Science, technics, art, and philosophy.

2. What does Beauvoir claim is revealed through art?
(a) Art reveals that ambiguous principles of truth and beauty can occupy time and space.
(b) Art reveals the aesthetic qualities of the will of freedom.
(c) Art reveals that aesthetic contemplation at some point must make contact with time and space.
(d) Art reveals the transitory as an absolute.

3. How does Beauvoir suggest that the ends can justify the means.
(a) Only if the focus of those taking action are on the future.
(b) Only if the end is completely disclosed in the course of the present enterprise.
(c) Only if those taking action consider the consequences before they take action.
(d) Only if the motivations of those taking action are on full display.

4. How does Beauvoir explain that an individual might be responsible for what they accept, but not guilty for acting upon it?
(a) An individual is responsible for what he learns because he takes time to learn it, but he is not guilty for those who face unintended consequences.
(b) An individual is responsible for what he learns in the world because he is responsible for his presence, but he is not guilty if his adhesion to beliefs is not a resignation of his freedom.
(c) An individual is responsible for what he learns because he can reject it, but he is not guilty for actions that come from his teaching.
(d) An individual is responsible for what he learns because he applies it, but he is not guilty because those who are affected have freedom to reject him.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Beauvoir define the present?

2. What does Beauvoir report to be Marx' view of the future?

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

4. How does Beauvoir explain that technics (technology) is not objectively justified?

5. When an individual aims at a goal that will be achieved beyond his own death, what does Beauvoir claim the individual should expect from the time given to the goal?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Beauvoir write that the only way way that the oppressed can fulfill his freedom is through revolt?

2. What does Beauvoir mean with the phrase "Antinomies of Action"?

3. What is the one solution that Beauvoir offers to the oppressed?

4. What is the main criticism that Beauvoir makes of the Aesthetic Attitude?

5. How does Beauvoir criticize the claim that life is absurdity?

6. How does Beauvoir claim that science can find truth?

7. How does Beauvoir claim living as an existentialist would affect men?

8. Why does Beauvoir suggest man's life must always be an energetic striving?

9. How does Beauvoir claim that we can best secure our personal freedom?

10. What is an example that Beauvoir uses to illustrate the "Antinomies of Action"?

(see the answer keys)

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