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

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

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

4. What does Beauvoir identify as the spirit of seriousness?

5. How does Beauvoir compare Marxism to existentialism?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Beauvoir claim one can avoid nihilism?

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

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

4. What does Beauvoir note has been claimed of the nature of existentialism as a philosophy?

5. How does Beauvoir explain that adult lives can slip by in an infantile world?

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

7. How does Beauvoir define the serious man?

8. According to Beauvoir, how have existentialists defined their philosophy?

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

10. How does Beauvoir claim that spontaneity affects man's freedom?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Beauvoir examines two meanings of the word "future". Examine the two meanings and Beauvoir's contexts for those two meanings and her criticisms against the way they are applied. Choose one of Beauvoir's meanings for "future" and detail how it shapes your attitude toward your projects and efforts to develop your free will.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Beauvoir concludes her book with a defense that her ethical principles regarding ambiguity are individualistic. Support or criticize her position with statements from her book and evidence from personal experiences and history.

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This section contains 713 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample