Author Test

Question 1

List and explain the 3 choices of absurd

Answer 1

1. Physical Suicide- cowardly because you run from your problems
2. Philosophical Suicide- No belief in any religion
3. To accept and embrace it- The only valid choice

Question 2

Define Bad Faith

Answer 2

• not a value judgement
• sartes conception of self deception
• people often lie to themselves

Question 3

Two themes that one sees in Kafkas works

Answer 3

1. Insecurities and self doubt
2. Struggle to discover the meaning of life
3. Yearning for spiritual understanding

Question 4

Sartes famous phrase

Answer 4

There is no ultimate meaning or purpose inherent in human life; in this since, life is absurd

Question 5

What are two main components to existentialism? Define them and explain the “void”

Answer 5

Radical Freedom- we must commit ourselves at every moment
Freedom- the central and unique potential which constitutes us as humans
Choice- I am my choices
Responsibility- we are responsible for everything we do

Question 6

What are the three objects in absurd trinity

Answer 6

The 1st object, the 2nd object and the confrontation of the 2 objects

Question 7

What was the example used to explain absurd trinity

Answer 7

The man with the knife vs machine gun…. machine gun obviously wins

Question 8

Explain the difference between sarte and Camus when trying to find the “meaning of life”

Answer 8

Sarte- existentialist

Camus-absurdist but commonly mistaken for an existentialist

Question 9

How did Camus use mythology to explain the absurd hero? Explain

Answer 9

Camus wrote the “Myth of Sisyphus”

• Sisyphus (the hero) pushes the boulder up the mountain only for it to fall back down
• he tries again and again until he realizes that it will keep falling
• the boulder pushing becomes pointless and absurd