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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. If an individual does not inform a slave of his oppression, what does Beauvoir suggest of their position regarding tyranny?
(a) The individual who remains silent regarding tyranny assumes the Aesthetic Attitude.
(b) The individual who remains silent regarding tyranny is complicit in tyranny.
(c) The individual who remains silent regarding tyranny becomes a tyrant himself.
(d) The individual who remains silent regarding tyranny loses his will to be free.

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

3. What does Beauvoir suggest to be the motivation of those who adopt the Aesthetic Attitude?
(a) It is a means of understanding the role of oppression in history.
(b) It is a way of fleeing the truth of the present.
(c) It is taken so the individual can reflect on the role of the will in using freedom.
(d) It is meant to understand the beauty of freedom.

4. What does Beauvoir claim to be the only solution for those who are oppressed?
(a) Negate oppression by willing oneself free.
(b) Assume the Aesthetic Attitude and escape the turmoil of the world for an existence of contemplation.
(c) Avoid the negative consequences of oppression by producing as directed.
(d) Deny the harmony of mankind by revolting against the tyrants.

5. What does Beauvoir claim to be necessary to the desire for the slave to become conscious of his servitude?
(a) For the individual who wants to make the slave of his position to avoid becoming a tyrant.
(b) For the tyrant to leave the Aesthetic Attitude and accept the oppression he is bringing to others.
(c) For the individual to accept oppression for the sake of demonstrating how the individual can will their freedom.
(d) For the individual to break through the denial of the slave with a revolt against the tyrant.

Short Answer Questions

1. When does Beauvoir suggest an individual might adopt the Aesthetic Attitude?

2. In what way does Beauvoir claim that "The Ethics of Ambiguity" is individualistic?

3. What does Beauvoir claim is needed to make an ethical choice in a complex situation?

4. At what point does Beauvoir declare the death of an individual is not a failure?

5. How will an oppressor use history to justify his oppression, according to Beauvoir?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the individual who claims to have adopted the Aesthetic Attitude view historical work, according to Beauvoir?

2. What does Beauvoir claim becomes of those who adopt the Aesthetic Attitude?

3. What are the two meanings that Beauvoir gives for the future?

4. What is the contradiction that Beauvoir states regarding the difficulty of living the in the modern age?

5. What does Beauvoir claim prevents the future from being considered a harmonious development?

6. What two views of how history affects the future does Beauvoir note?

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

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

9. How does Beauvoir relate death to life?

10. How does Beauvoir show that the complexity of the world affects those who are fighting for a cause?

(see the answer keys)

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