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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. Why is classical utility theory inadequate, in Bataille's opinion?

2. What aspect of the Marx/Hegel dialectic did professor Hartmann test?

3. What does homogeneity depend on?

4. Under what conditions can a state be democratic, in Bataille's opinion?

5. What does Bataille say Nietzsche questions?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does a man find himself in "The Labyrinth"?

2. How does Andre Masson create the tone of the drawings in the book for which Bataille wrote a preface?

3. Briefly describe the theory of conspicuous consumption.

4. How does Bataille portray Engels' interpretation of Hegel's philosophy in "The Critique of the Foundations of the Hegelian Dialectic"?

5. How does the artist give meaning in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice"?

6. How does Bataille reconcile the opposition between self and world in "Sacrifices"?

7. What flaw does Bataille identify in dialectic philosophy in "The Critique of the Foundations of the Hegelian Dialectic"?

8. What does Bataille say is the only true liberating act, in "Propositions"?

9. What aspect of Nietzsche's philosophy did the Fascists appropriate, in Bataille's account in "Nietzsche and the Fascists"?

10. What does Bataille see as the value of Christianity of in "The Notion of Expenditure"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bataille is often revolutionary in his claims and expressions. What would a Bataille revolution look like? Would there be leaders, or would it be anarchy? Based on the text, speculate on the outcome of a revolution based on Bataille's work.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze Bataille's relationship with other authors or thinkers, and describe how Bataille navigates between keeping the writer's thoughts and rejecting them. He doesn't just throw them out, does he? How would you characterize his relationship with the work that precedes him? Use examples from the text to explain.

Essay Topic 3

Bataille aligned himself with Catholicism before he broke with it as a young man--but what religion can we interpolate from Bataille's writing? Analyze his writings and describe the religion or lack of religion in Bataille's writing.

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