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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 comes, "...between the past which no longer is and the future which is not yet,..."?

2. How does Beauvoir compare Marxism to existentialism?

3. What does Beauvoir state is the goal at which her freedom aims?

4. What prevents a moral question from presenting itself to the child according to Beauvoir?

5. In what way does Beauvoir consider nihilistic thinking to be right?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Beauvoir define the child's world?

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

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

4. What does Beauvoir point out as the difference between the passionate man and the adventurer?

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

6. To what does Beauvoir credit the development of many different philosophical world views?

7. How does Beauvoir characterize Dualists?

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

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

10. How does Beauvoir claim that man can find truth in his life?

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

At the end of Chapter Three, Beauvoir examines the role of politics in either establishing and protecting freedom or leading to tyranny. Choose one of Beauvoir's explanations of the role of either politics or violence leading to either freedom or tyranny and give your support or opposition to her view. Support your position with language from "The Ethics of Ambiguity" or from outside sources.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the "adventurer" from the "passionate man" and give historical examples for each. Which lives freely and which has the greatest influence on general freedom? Which one does Beauvoir seem to favor? Use her comments to support your view.

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This section contains 728 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample