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, 'I think, therefore I am'?
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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
Correct answer
Explanation
René Descartes, not an existentialist philosopher, famously said, 'I think, therefore I am'.
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 wrote the novel 'The Stranger'.
Which existentialist philosopher wrote the book 'Being and Nothingness'?
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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 wrote the book 'Being and Nothingness'.
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 famously said, 'God is dead'.
Which existentialist philosopher argued that humans are 'condemned to be free' and that this freedom brings with it a profound responsibility?
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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 is known for his existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and responsibility. He argued that humans are 'condemned to be free' in the sense that they have the freedom to choose their own actions and create their own meaning in life, but this freedom also brings with it a profound responsibility to make choices that are authentic and meaningful.
Which existentialist philosopher argued that humans are 'thrown' into the world and that they must create their own meaning and purpose?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Søren Kierkegaard
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Martin Heidegger
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Martin Heidegger is known for his existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of human existence and the need to create meaning and purpose in life. He argued that humans are 'thrown' into the world, meaning that they are born into a particular situation and must create their own meaning and purpose, rather than relying on external sources of meaning.
Which existentialist philosopher argued that humans are 'responsible for everything they do, even for their own existence'?
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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 is known for his existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and responsibility. He argued that humans are 'responsible for everything they do, even for their own existence', meaning that they cannot blame their circumstances or external factors for their actions and choices.
Which existentialist philosopher argued that humans are 'condemned to freedom' and that this freedom is both a source of anxiety and an opportunity for growth?
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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 is known for his existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and responsibility. He argued that humans are 'condemned to freedom' in the sense that they have the freedom to choose their own actions and create their own meaning in life, but this freedom also brings with it a profound anxiety and responsibility.
Which existentialist philosopher argued that humans are 'nothingness' and that they must create their own essence through their actions?
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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 is known for his existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and responsibility. He argued that humans are 'nothingness' in the sense that they have no inherent essence or nature. Instead, they must create their own essence through their actions and choices.
Which existentialist philosopher argued that humans are 'thrown into existence' and that they must create their own meaning and purpose in life?
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Albert Camus
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Søren Kierkegaard
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Martin Heidegger
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Martin Heidegger is known for his existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of human existence and the need to create meaning and purpose in life. He argued that humans are 'thrown into existence', meaning that they are born into a particular situation and must create their own meaning and purpose, rather than relying on external sources of meaning.
Who is the author of the book "The Search for Meaning: Uncovering the Purpose of Life"?
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Viktor Frankl
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Albert Camus
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Jean-Paul Sartre
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Friedrich Nietzsche
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, author, and Holocaust survivor. He is best known for his book "Man's Search for Meaning", which describes his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and his theory of logotherapy.
Which philosopher is widely regarded as the father of modern hermeneutics?
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Friedrich Nietzsche
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Martin Heidegger
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Hans-Georg Gadamer
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Paul Ricoeur
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Friedrich Nietzsche is often considered the father of modern hermeneutics for his groundbreaking work on the interpretation of texts and his emphasis on the role of the interpreter's perspective.
Which philosopher argued that evil is the result of the will to power?
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Nietzsche
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Sartre
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Camus
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Heidegger
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Nietzsche argued that evil is the result of the will to power. He believed that humans are driven by a desire for power, and that this desire often leads to conflict and suffering. The only way to overcome evil is to overcome our own will to power.
Which philosopher argued that evil is the result of the absurd?
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Sartre
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Camus
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Heidegger
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Jaspers
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Camus argued that evil is the result of the absurd. He believed that the world is meaningless and that there is no inherent order or purpose to life. This meaninglessness and purposelessness can lead to suffering and pain. The only way to overcome evil is to accept the absurd and to live in spite of it.
Which existentialist philosopher famously stated, '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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Martin Heidegger
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Jean-Paul Sartre is known for his existentialist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and responsibility in shaping one's own existence.