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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. If a person saves a stranger from a burning building at the risk of their own life, then that person is acting upon which principles?

2. What country is Ayn Rand originally from?

3. According to Ayn Rand, human error is _______________.

4. In which publication did "The Virtue of Selfishness" first appear?

5. The function of pleasure is to give a man his own sense of what?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Rand, how must people evaluate their own rational self interest in a given situation?

2. What commonly upheld principle does Rand deem evil in Western Society as stated in her essay on living a rational life?

3. In Rand's essay, "Doesn't Life Require Compromise?", what does she claim is synonymous with compromise?

4. What are Rand's thoughts on human error?

5. What is Branden's purpose in writing the essay, "Isn't Everyone Selfish?"

6. What does Ayn Rand believe happens in the process of a compromise?

7. According to Branden, what are the avenues where one would find pleasure, and why can one find pleasure in such avenues?

8. How might one find pleasure in doing productive work?

9. What are Branden's thoughts on anxiety and guilt as stated in his essay regarding Mental Health and Mysticism?

10. How does altruism fit into Branden's essay, "Isn't Everyone Selfish?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does it mean that someone should not attempt to further oneself at the expense of another? Cite some examples.

Essay Topic 2

Is it racist to think in terms of black and white? What are the similarities between racism and thinking in terms of black and white? What are the major differences? What does Rand say about each?

Essay Topic 3

Rand finds there are many problems with the government as well as the views of Western Society. Rand explains her solutions to the many problems that exist within the society. According to Rand, what does she consider to be the traits of a "free" society?

(see the answer keys)

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