Social Science
Existentialism and Phenomenology
913 Questions
Existentialism and phenomenology are philosophical movements concerned with human experience, freedom, and meaning. This topic covers key thinkers like Sartre, Heidegger, and Kierkegaard. Such questions appear in optional subject papers for civil services.
Key existentialist philosophersPhenomenology conceptsPhilosophical theoriesContinental philosophy
Existentialism and Phenomenology Questions
Which Existentialist philosopher famously said, 'Existence precedes essence'?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Søren Kierkegaard
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Friedrich Nietzsche
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Jean-Paul Sartre, a prominent Existentialist philosopher, famously stated that 'Existence precedes essence.' This means that existence comes before essence, and that the meaning of life is not predetermined but rather created through one's actions and choices.
Which Existentialist philosopher wrote the novel 'The Stranger'?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Søren Kierkegaard
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Friedrich Nietzsche
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Albert Camus, a prominent Existentialist philosopher and writer, authored the novel 'The Stranger.' This novel explores themes of absurdity, alienation, and the search for meaning in life.
Which Existentialist philosopher famously said, 'God is dead'?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Søren Kierkegaard
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Friedrich Nietzsche
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, famously declared 'God is dead.' This statement symbolizes the rejection of traditional religious beliefs and the emphasis on individual responsibility and self-creation.
Which Existentialist philosopher wrote the play 'No Exit'?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Søren Kierkegaard
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Friedrich Nietzsche
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Jean-Paul Sartre, a prominent Existentialist philosopher and playwright, wrote the play 'No Exit.' This play explores themes of freedom, responsibility, and the futility of human existence.
Which Existentialist philosopher famously said, 'Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself'?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Søren Kierkegaard
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Friedrich Nietzsche
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Jean-Paul Sartre, a prominent Existentialist philosopher, famously stated 'Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.' This quote highlights the idea that individuals are responsible for creating their own meaning and identity through their actions and choices.
Which philosopher argued that the self is a narrative?
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Paul Ricoeur
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Charles Taylor
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Alasdair MacIntyre
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Martha Nussbaum
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Paul Ricoeur argued that the self is a narrative that we construct about our own lives. He believed that we understand ourselves by telling stories about our experiences.
Which philosopher argued that the self is a relation?
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Martin Buber
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Emmanuel Levinas
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Maurice Merleau-Ponty
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Jean-Paul Sartre
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Martin Buber argued that the self is a relation between the 'I' and the 'Thou.' He believed that we only truly become ourselves when we enter into relationships with others.
Which philosopher argued that the self is a work of art?
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Friedrich Nietzsche
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Oscar Wilde
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Jean-Paul Sartre
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Friedrich Nietzsche argued that the self is a work of art. He believed that we should create ourselves as works of art and that we should strive to become more beautiful and more powerful.
Which existentialist philosopher is most closely associated with the concept of "bad faith"?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Martin Heidegger
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Jean-Paul Sartre is most closely associated with the concept of "bad faith", which refers to the state of being inauthentic or denying one's true self.
Which existentialist philosopher is most closely associated with the concept of "the absurd"?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Martin Heidegger
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Albert Camus is most closely associated with the concept of "the absurd", which refers to the inherent meaninglessness of life.
Which existentialist philosopher is most closely associated with the concept of "feminism"?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Martin Heidegger
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Simone de Beauvoir is most closely associated with the concept of "feminism", which refers to the advocacy of women's rights and equality.
Which existentialist philosopher is most closely associated with the concept of "being-in-the-world"?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Martin Heidegger
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Martin Heidegger is most closely associated with the concept of "being-in-the-world", which refers to the way in which human beings exist in the world.
Which existentialist philosopher is most closely associated with the concept of "the death of God"?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Friedrich Nietzsche
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Friedrich Nietzsche is most closely associated with the concept of "the death of God", which refers to the idea that God is dead and that human beings must now create their own values and meaning in life.
Which existentialist philosopher is most closely associated with the concept of "the eternal return"?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Friedrich Nietzsche
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Friedrich Nietzsche is most closely associated with the concept of "the eternal return", which refers to the idea that everything that has happened will happen again an infinite number of times.
Which existentialist philosopher is most closely associated with the concept of "the will to power"?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Simone de Beauvoir
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Friedrich Nietzsche
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Friedrich Nietzsche is most closely associated with the concept of "the will to power", which refers to the idea that the fundamental drive of all human beings is to increase their power.