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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. How does Beauvoir introduce the role of God in the discussion of ethics?

2. What comes to the individual at the point he begins to notice the conflicts of the adult world, according to Beauvoir?

3. What does Beauvoir claim matters to the serious man?

4. During their stage of freedom, how does Beauvoir claim that a child sees adults?

5. What does Beauvoir report comes to the individual at the time the world changes in his perspective?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Beauvoir define the serious man?

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

3. How does Beauvoir claim an individual makes himself a "sub-man"?

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

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

6. How does Beauvoir characterize Materialists?

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

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

9. What does Beauvoir report that Sartre taught regarding the being of man?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Beauvoir devotes her section on "Ambiguity" to answering criticism of her views regarding its role in personal freedom. Compare and contrast Beauvoir's position to those that she answers both in Chapter Three and earlier in the book. What are of Beauvoir's views on ambiguity as well as those which dissent with her view? What are the disadvantages of each? Do you agree with Beauvoir or her detractors. Explain your answer.

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

Beauvoir connects projects, creativity and time as elements that can help man develop free will. Show Beauvoir relates the three to each other to prove her point. Use life applications to prove Beauvoir's assertions.

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