1st Edition

Hannah Arendt Key Concepts

Edited By Patrick Hayden Copyright 2014
    256 Pages
    by Routledge

    256 Pages
    by Routledge

    Hannah Arendt is one of the most prominent thinkers of modern times, whose profound influence extends across philosophy, politics, law, history, international relations, sociology, and literature. Presenting new and powerful ways to think about human freedom and responsibility, Arendt's work has provoked intense debate and controversy. 'Hannah Arendt: Key Concepts' explores the central ideas of Arendt's thought, such as freedom, action, power, judgement, evil, forgiveness and the social. Bringing together an international team of contributors, the essays provide lucid accounts of Arendt's fundamental themes and their ethical and political implications. The specific concepts Arendt deployed to make sense of the human condition, the phenomena of political violence, terror and totalitarianism, and the prospects of sustaining a shared public world are all examined. 'Hannah Arendt: Key Concepts' consolidates the disparate strands of Arendt's thought to provide an accessible and essential guide for anybody who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of this leading intellectual figure.

    Introduction: Illuminating Hannah Arendt Patrick Hayden  Part 1: On the Human Condition  1. Natality Karin Fry  2. Labour, work and action Paul Voice  3. Hannah Arendt on the world Siobhan Kattago  4. Narrating and understanding Maša Mrovlje  Part 2: On Modernity's Crises  5. Totalitarianism and evil Lars Rensmann  6. Statelessness and the right to have rights Ayten Gündoğdu  7. Hannah Arendt on "the social" Philip Walsh  8. Hannah Arendt on authority and tradition Douglas Klusmeyer  Part 3: On Politics and the Public World  9. Power and violence Elizabeth Frazer  10. Arendt and the political power of judgement Patrick Hayden  11. Responsibility Annabel Herzog  12. Arendt and the question of revolution Anthony F. Lang, Jr.  13. Promising and forgiveness Marguerite La Caze.  Index

    Biography

    Patrick Hayden is Professor of Political Theory and International Relations at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

    "The richness of Arendt’s political thought is brought sharply to life by focusing, as Arendt herself wanted, on experience rather than abstract theory. A superb collection of essays and a trustworthy and stimulating companion for the growing bands of Arendt readers." – Robert Fine, University of Warwick, UK

    "Hannah Arendt's work continues to provoke and engage across generations of scholarship. The essays collected in this volume testify to the vigor and subtlety of a new generation of Arendt readers." – Seyla Benhabib, Yale University, USA