The Reluctant Modernism of Hannah ArendtInterpreting the work of one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, The Reluctant Modernism of Hannah Arendt rereads Arendt's political philosophy in light of newly gained insights into the historico-cultural background of her work. Arguing against the standard interpretation of Hannah Arendt as an anti-modernist lover of the Greek polis, author Seyla Benhabib contends that Arendt's thought emerges out of a double legacy: German Existenz philosophy, particularly the thought of Martin Heidegger, and her experiences as a German-Jewess in the age of totalitarianism. This important volume reconsiders Arendt's theory of modernity, her concept of the public sphere, her distinction between the social and the political, her theory of totalitarianism, and her critique of the modern nation state, including her life long involvement with Jewish and Israeli politics. |
Contents
Preface to the New Edition | ix |
Series Editors Introduction | xxiii |
Why Hannah Arendt? | xxxvii |
Copyright | |
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activity analysis anti-Semitism Arendt writes Arendt-Jaspers Arendt's political Arendt's theory Arendt's thought Arendtian Aristotle become Benhabib century chapter concept concern constitute contemporary context critical critique cultural Dasein democracy democratic discussion distinction economic Eichmann in Jerusalem Elisabeth Young-Bruehl equality essay ethics European existential Existenz Existenz Philosophy freedom fundamental G. W. F. Hegel German Habermas Habermas's Hannah Arendt Heidegger's historical Human Condition Ibid identity individuals interpretation issues Jewish Jews judgment Jürgen Habermas Kant Kant's Karl Jaspers labor Margaret Canovan Martin Heidegger Marx means modern moral movement narrative nation-state National Nazi normative one's ontology Origins of Totalitarianism Palestine pariah phenomenological plurality polis political philosophy Political Theory political thought praxis public realm public space public sphere question Rahel Varnhagen reflections salons sense Seyla Benhabib social space of appearances story theorist thinking tion tradition trans transformation understanding University Press worldlessness York Young-Bruehl Zionist