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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 are the two clans that Beauvoir claims to come from oppression?

2. In what way does Beauvoir claim that "The Ethics of Ambiguity" is individualistic?

3. How does Beauvoir claim that oppressive regimes become stronger?

4. Of what does Beauvoir accuse political parties in their effort to control the ambiguity of the human condition?

5. For whom do Beauvoir and Marx agree that the cause of freedom is most urgent?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Beauvoir claim becomes of those who adopt the Aesthetic Attitude?

2. How does Beauvoir characterize the world at the beginning of Section III?

3. What does Beauvoir mean with the phrase "Antinomies of Action"?

4. How does ambiguity affect man when he faces failure and outrageousness, according to Beauvoir?

5. What is the main criticism that Beauvoir makes of the Aesthetic Attitude?

6. What is the example of the conservative that Beauvoir uses to illustrate how tyrants will attempt to prevent revolt?

7. How does Beauvoir dispute the idea that individual freedom does not lead to anarchy?

8. What does Beauvoir identify as one of the chief objections leveled against existentialism with regard to freedom?

9. How does Beauvoir claim that science can find truth?

10. How does Beauvoir characterize freedom that is won through denying freedom to others?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Beauvoir comments extensively on the "sub-man". Define what Beauvoir's term, "sub-man," what causes an individual to take that station, and whether or not you see it as a common condition in modern society. Make your recommendations as to how an individual can move from this condition.

Essay Topic 3

Examine Beauvoir's views on how science, art, technology (technics), and philosophy can either add to or detract from freedom. After the general examination of the four, choose one and detail how Beauvoir's points are proven in modern applications.

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