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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Beauvoir claims that critics of existentialism claim that it is solipsistic. What is solipsism?

2. How does Beauvoir compare southern slaves to children?

3. How does Beauvoir explain that the serious man becomes a dangerous tyrant?

4. What does Beauvoir claim to be the affect of rejecting any extrinsic justification for internal choices?

5. How does Beauvoir compare women to slaves?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Beauvoir describe the difference between Marxists and existentialist?

2. How does Beauvoir claim that man can disclose being?

3. How does Beauvoir characterize Dualists?

4. How does Beauvoir claim that the truly free will is produced?

5. How does Beauvoir claim one can avoid nihilism?

6. Upon what basis does Beauvoir suggest that a man decides upon what he wants to be?

7. How does Beauvoir explain the characteristic feature of all ethics?

8. With what quote from Descartes does Beauvoir begin Section II?

9. How does Beauvoir relate nature of man's existence to the past, present, and future in Part I?

10. How does Beauvoir show that the "sub-man" passes into being a serious man?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Define Beauvoir's term, "serious man." What are the positive and negative aspects of this condition, and how does an individual move into it? Does modern society encourage individuals to accept this condition? How does the modern social view of the "serious man" affect the quality of freedom for communities, cultures, and nations?

Essay Topic 2

Beauvoir refers to Karl Marx throughout "The Ethics of Ambiguity". Analyze Beauvoir's position on Marxism through her several references. Cite your agreement or disagreement with Beauvoir's position based history of communism since 1948 and commentaries by either Marx or detractors of Marxism.

Essay Topic 3

Beauvoir considers the present as nothing more that a passing moment between history and the future. Provide a commentary of how Beauvoir's perspective on the past, present, and future can be used to develop a use of time and outlook that can build toward personal freedom and help with plans of projects that will affect your future.

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