The Existentialist View of Meaning

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the existentialist view of meaning. Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the importance of individual existence, freedom, and choice. Existentialists believe that meaning is not something that is given to us, but rather something that we create for ourselves through our actions and choices.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: existentialism meaning freedom choice
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the central idea of existentialism?

  1. Meaning is something that is given to us.

  2. Meaning is something that we create for ourselves.

  3. Meaning is something that is found in the world around us.

  4. Meaning is something that is irrelevant to human existence.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that meaning is not something that is given to us, but rather something that we create for ourselves through our actions and choices.

What is the existentialist view of freedom?

  1. Freedom is the ability to do whatever we want.

  2. Freedom is the ability to choose our own destiny.

  3. Freedom is the ability to live without constraints.

  4. Freedom is the ability to escape from the world.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that freedom is not the ability to do whatever we want, but rather the ability to choose our own destiny. This means that we are responsible for our own actions and choices, and that we cannot blame others for our mistakes.

What is the existentialist view of choice?

  1. Choice is a burden that we must bear.

  2. Choice is a gift that we should cherish.

  3. Choice is a responsibility that we cannot escape.

  4. Choice is an illusion that we should ignore.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that choice is a responsibility that we cannot escape. This means that we are responsible for the consequences of our actions and choices, and that we cannot blame others for our mistakes.

What is the existentialist view of meaninglessness?

  1. Meaninglessness is a fact of life that we must accept.

  2. Meaninglessness is a problem that we can overcome.

  3. Meaninglessness is a choice that we make.

  4. Meaninglessness is an illusion that we should ignore.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that meaninglessness is a fact of life that we must accept. This does not mean that we should give up on finding meaning in our lives, but rather that we should accept that there is no one right way to find meaning.

What is the existentialist view of the absurd?

  1. The absurd is a contradiction that we cannot resolve.

  2. The absurd is a mystery that we cannot understand.

  3. The absurd is a joke that we cannot laugh at.

  4. The absurd is a tragedy that we cannot avoid.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that the absurd is a contradiction that we cannot resolve. This contradiction is between the human desire for meaning and the meaningless universe in which we live.

What is the existentialist view of authenticity?

  1. Authenticity is being true to oneself.

  2. Authenticity is being unique.

  3. Authenticity is being independent.

  4. Authenticity is being creative.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that authenticity is being true to oneself. This means that we should live our lives according to our own values and beliefs, even if they are different from the values and beliefs of others.

What is the existentialist view of commitment?

  1. Commitment is a burden that we must bear.

  2. Commitment is a gift that we should cherish.

  3. Commitment is a responsibility that we cannot escape.

  4. Commitment is an illusion that we should ignore.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that commitment is a responsibility that we cannot escape. This means that we are responsible for the consequences of our actions and choices, and that we cannot blame others for our mistakes.

What is the existentialist view of hope?

  1. Hope is a delusion that we should abandon.

  2. Hope is a virtue that we should cultivate.

  3. Hope is a feeling that we should ignore.

  4. Hope is an illusion that we should embrace.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that hope is a virtue that we should cultivate. This is because hope gives us the strength to face the challenges of life and to keep going even when things are difficult.

What is the existentialist view of despair?

  1. Despair is a state of mind that we should avoid.

  2. Despair is a feeling that we should embrace.

  3. Despair is a condition that we cannot escape.

  4. Despair is an illusion that we should ignore.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that despair is a state of mind that we should avoid. This is because despair can lead to apathy and inaction, which can prevent us from living our lives to the fullest.

What is the existentialist view of death?

  1. Death is the end of everything.

  2. Death is a new beginning.

  3. Death is a mystery that we cannot understand.

  4. Death is an illusion that we should ignore.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that death is a mystery that we cannot understand. This is because death is the one thing that we cannot experience firsthand. We can only imagine what it is like to die, but we can never know for sure.

What is the existentialist view of the meaning of life?

  1. The meaning of life is to find happiness.

  2. The meaning of life is to find success.

  3. The meaning of life is to find love.

  4. The meaning of life is to create meaning.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Existentialists believe that the meaning of life is to create meaning. This means that we should live our lives in a way that is meaningful to us, even if it is not meaningful to others.

Which existentialist philosopher is known for his theory of the absurd?

  1. Jean-Paul Sartre

  2. Albert Camus

  3. Friedrich Nietzsche

  4. Søren Kierkegaard


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Albert Camus is known for his theory of the absurd, which is the idea that there is a contradiction between the human desire for meaning and the meaningless universe in which we live.

Which existentialist philosopher is known for his theory of authenticity?

  1. Jean-Paul Sartre

  2. Albert Camus

  3. Friedrich Nietzsche

  4. Søren Kierkegaard


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Jean-Paul Sartre is known for his theory of authenticity, which is the idea that we should live our lives according to our own values and beliefs, even if they are different from the values and beliefs of others.

Which existentialist philosopher is known for his theory of the will to power?

  1. Jean-Paul Sartre

  2. Albert Camus

  3. Friedrich Nietzsche

  4. Søren Kierkegaard


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Friedrich Nietzsche is known for his theory of the will to power, which is the idea that the fundamental drive of all human beings is to seek power.

Which existentialist philosopher is known for his theory of the leap of faith?

  1. Jean-Paul Sartre

  2. Albert Camus

  3. Friedrich Nietzsche

  4. Søren Kierkegaard


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Søren Kierkegaard is known for his theory of the leap of faith, which is the idea that we must take a leap of faith in order to believe in God.

- Hide questions