The Ethics of Ambiguity by Simone de Beauvoir, translated by Shanghai Translation Publishing House

* Beauvoir's foundational work on existentialist philosophy/feminism

*Humans are free, but not everyone can choose freedom

The Ethics of Ambiguity is an introductory work to Beauvoir's existentialist theory and feminist philosophy, laying the groundwork for The Second Sex. The book contains two essays. "The Ethics of Ambiguity" profoundly reflects on the human condition. Beauvoir, through extensive study of the works of philosophical predecessors such as Hegel, Kierkegaard, and Kant, gradually developed her unique existentialist philosophical perspective. She introduced the concept of "the ambiguity of existence" and first elucidated the concept of freedom in philosophy; she advocated for embracing one's existence, striving for freedom, and allowing our existence to be a finite openness to infinity. As the old proverb says, "Do what you ought, come what may." "Pyrrhus and Cineas" starts from Voltaire's philosophical novel Candide to discuss the measure of human action, and the purpose and value of action.