The Ethics of Ambiguity; Quiz

Take our free The Ethics of Ambiguity; quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

What example did Beauvoir use to show how those who fight for a cause will come to accept certain contradictions. (from Chapter 3, The Positive Aspect of Ambiguity, Sections 1-3, The Aesthetic Attitude, Freedom and Liberation, The Antinomies of Action)

Natives who fought freedom from the British Empire during WWII with the support of Fascist regimes.

Martyrs who were killed by authoritarians who sought to kill their causes, but their deaths gave it more influence.

Politicians who were defeated in elections by foretelling the realized negative consequences of popular programs.

Generals who were willing to pull their soldiers from battle so they could win a more important battle later.

What contradiction does Beauvoir suggest will come to those who fight for a cause due to the complexity of the world? (from Chapter 3, The Positive Aspect of Ambiguity, Sections 1-3, The Aesthetic Attitude, Freedom and Liberation, The Antinomies of Action)

In order to win an urgent victory, one may be brought to sacrifice his principles.

In order to win an urgent victory, one may be brought to the point of fighting against valid causes.

In order to win an urgent victory, one may be brought to face a humiliating defeat.

In order to win an urgent victory, one may be brought to leaving a valued friend.

What are projects according to Beauvoir? (from Chapter 3, The Positive Aspect of Ambiguity, Sections 1-3, The Aesthetic Attitude, Freedom and Liberation, The Antinomies of Action)

Activities in which an individual works to affect others.

Activities in which the individual works toward a goal.

Activities in which the individual sacrifices freedom for achievement.

Activities which define history.

What does Beauvoir claim matters to the serious man? (from Chapter 2, Personal Freedom and Others)

Subjecting himself to the project that defines his ambiguity to himself.

Using his ambiguity to shape his ethics.

Setting a track to achieve a predetermined goal.

Being able to lose himself in the nature of the object which he prefers to himself.

To what does Beauvoir compare the presence of freedom within the drama of choice? (from Chapter 2, Personal Freedom and Others)

The arbitrariness of the grace distributed by God in Calvinistic Doctrine.

The calm before the storm.

The historian who chooses threads that take him to the original cause.

The adolescent who sees the world constructed for him as a child is corrupt.