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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. What does Beauvoir claim can come to people who are filled with the horror of defeat?

2. To what conclusion to Beauvoir arrive regarding Sartre's internal choices that are affected by personal passions?

3. In the face of emerging violence of man's growing mastery of the world, what does Beauvoir suggest to individuals who seek to navigate it?

4. How does human spontaneity give purpose to a human life, according to Beauvoir?

5. According to Beauvoir, what is the goal of dualist teachings to their disciples?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Beauvoir explain that nihilism becomes the desire for power?

2. According to Beauvoir, how does man cast himself into the world?

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

4. What does Beauvoir suggest causes the infantile world to begin to pass away by adolescence?

5. How does Beauvoir claim one can avoid nihilism?

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

7. How does Beauvoir explain that willing bad is possible?

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

9. What are two descriptions that Beauvoir gives to man at the beginning of Part I, Ambiguity and Freedom?

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

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.

Essay Topic 2

Beauvoir begins Chapter One, "Ambiguity and Freedom" with a brief review of materialism, dualism, and existentialism and how they either affirm or disregard the ambiguous nature of life. Give choose one of the philosophies and summarize Beauvoir's views on it, then comment on your agreement or disagreement with Beauvoir based upon your perspective of the philosophy you have chosen. Support your argument with proofs from "The Ethics of Ambiguity" and from at least one outside source.

Essay Topic 3

How does Beauvoir claim that a "serious man" becomes nihilistic and what are the affects of nihilism on the individual? What are the consequences to the "serious man" if he resists the impulses that lead to nihilism? How does individual acceptance or rejection of nihilism influence an environment or community.

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