Simone de Beauvoirs feminism was heavily informed by existentialist

Question

Simone de Beauvoir’s feminism was heavily informed by existentialist ethics. Within this frame of thought, good and evil are expressed in human beings’ transcendence and “immanence,” respectively. Human existence can only be justified via continually expanding into the future by engaging in freely chosen projects—i.e., transcendence. Transcendence is thus a general goal for human beings, while its opposite—immanence—is considered a degradation of existence, from “liberty into constraint.” Freely chosen, immanence is a moral fault, but when inflicted, it is described as “oppression.” In a social environment where women are prevented from choosing and engaging in serious projects because of their status as women, their ability to transcend is systematically thwarted, so transcendence becomes a specifically feminist goal. De Beauvoir explains that women are viewed as intrinsically passive and immanent, in opposition to men who are meant to be active and transcendent.

In the society observed by de Beauvoir, “[women] live … attached through residence, housework, economic condition, and social standing to certain men—fathers or husbands…” It is specifically women who are attached to men—not men to women nor women and men to each other. As de Beauvoir notes, the nature of this relationship, overlapping the assumption that men are the active transcendent half of humanity, leaves women in a position of forced immanence.

In the society observed by de Beauvoir, “  live … attached through residence, housework, economic condition, and social standing to certain men—fathers or husbands…” It is specifically women who are attached to men—not men to women nor women and men to each other. As de Beauvoir notes, the nature of this relationship, overlapping the assumption that men are the active transcendent half of humanity, leaves women in a position of forced immanence.    1 
 1. According to the passage, Simone de Beauvoir believed which of the following?

I. In society, women are attached to men.
II. Women are intrinsically passive and immanent.
III. Self-constraint is worse than imposed constraint.

A. I Only
B. II Only
C. III Only
D. I and II Only
E. I and III Only

2 
 2. According to the passage, immanence is always

I. a moral fault
II. a degradation of existence
III. oppression

A. I Only
B. II Only
C. III Only
D. I and II Only
E. II and III Only

3 
 3. The passage could best be described as which of the following?

(A) an explanation of existentialist ethics and transcendence
(B) an explanation of feminist theory and female immanence
(C) a diatribe about immanence and a social injustice
(D) a description of a philosopher’s influences and framework
(E) an outline of social structure and conflicts

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 131 Date: 03-May-2023
 This question is part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

Manhattan GRE 5lb.

manhanld · Answer

Can anyone explain to me why question 3 is D not B? Thanks

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. The passage could best be described as which of the following?

Explanation

The first sentence of the passage tells you that existentialist ethics were a major influence on de Beauvoir’s philosophy. Much of the rest of the passage is devoted to explaining that philosophy.

(A)  is too broad, as the passage doesn’t explain all of existential ethics, of which transcendence is just one concept.

Similarly,  (B)  is too broad as the passage does not discuss all of feminist theory, just de Beauvoir’s.

(C)  is wrong — the passage is not a diatribe.

Choice (E)  is again too broad and off the point.

Answer: D

ANBARASI · Answer

Respected sir/madam,
Your passages are really helpful. But, if we get the explanation along with passage will be even more helpful to correct our mistakes too.As your explanations are naturally good, It will also enhance your website.

Posted from my mobile device

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi ANBARASI

Welcome to GMAT Club!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

NikitaaAgarwal · Answer

Can anyone explain to me why question 2 is B not D? Thanks

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. According to the passage, immanence is always

Explanation

In the first paragraph, the passage states that immanence is considered  “a degradation”  before going back and forth between immanence as a freely chosen moral fault and immanence as the result of oppression. Thus, immanence is not always characterized as either.

Answer: B

Aryan19852 · Answer

Can someone give solution for 1st

shubhim20 · Answer

Sajjad1994  please could you provide solution for this as well

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OE

1. According to the passage, Simone de Beauvoir believed which of the following?

The first statement is justified because in the second paragraph, de Beauvoir is quoted as saying exactly so. The second statement is not justified because at the end of the first paragraph, de Beauvoir indicates that women  “are viewed as intrinsically passive and immanent.”  This does not mean that de Beauvoir believes this (in fact, the second paragraph gives good evidence that she believes precisely the reverse). The third statement is not justified because, although de Beauvoir views both self-constraint and imposed constraint (oppression) as negative, she does not indicate which type she considers to be worse. Though the passage says that  “immanence is a moral fault”  when someone chooses it, the first paragraph does not indicate whether de Beauvoir believes this. 
 
  Answer: A

Vibhatu · Answer

It is clearly mention "  immanence is a moral fault," then why not option 1? Please explain

jaswanthxvasudev · Answer

The correct answer is  (D) a description of a philosopher’s influences and framework .

The passage explicitly introduces a philosopher (Simone de Beauvoir), identifies the primary intellectual tradition that  influenced  her (existentialist ethics), and then lays out the conceptual  framework  (transcendence vs. immanence) she uses to build her feminist argument.

Analysis of the Options

(A) an explanation of existentialist ethics and transcendence:  This is too narrow. The passage explains these concepts only to serve the larger purpose of explaining de Beauvoir's feminist application of them. 
  (B) an explanation of feminist theory and female immanence:  While the passage does this, it's more specific than that. Its primary method is to show  how  de Beauvoir arrived at her theory by first explaining its philosophical underpinnings. This option misses the crucial context of the "influence." 
  (C) a diatribe about immanence and a social injustice:  A "diatribe" is a bitter, abusive verbal attack. The tone of the passage is academic and explanatory, not angry or abusive. 
  (D) a description of a philosopher’s influences and framework:  This is the most accurate and comprehensive choice. The text is structured to first establish the  influence  (existentialism) and then detail the resulting theoretical  framework  (transcendence/immanence) used by the philosopher. 
  (E) an outline of social structure and conflicts:  This is too general. The passage analyzes social structures and conflicts through the very specific philosophical lens of de Beauvoir's work, which is the main focus.

Simone de Beauvoirs feminism was heavily informed by existentialist

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Simone de Beauvoirs feminism was heavily informed by existentialist

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards