Faith in the World: Post-Secular Readings of Hannah Arendt

This volume explores Hannah Arendt's ambiguous relation to the Judeo-Christian religious heritage, discussing topics such as salvation, original sin, forgiveness, love, natality, and the world within the religious aura.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 251 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2022
Publisher: Campus Verlag

This comprehensive volume delves into a multifaceted exploration of a less apparent and often overlooked aspect of Hannah Arendt's work: her complex and multifaceted relationship with the Judeo-Christian religious heritage. While it engages with strictly theological themes such as salvation or original sin, it also delves into broader topics such as forgiveness, love, natality, and the world within the religious aura. By examining Arendt's writings from various perspectives, this volume sheds light on the intricate interplay between her thought and theology, highlighting both the influences and contradictions that shaped her intellectual journey.

The volume begins by examining Arendt's early encounters with Christianity, which shaped her understanding of religion and its role in human society. It explores how her Jewish background influenced her interpretation of Christian doctrines and practices, and how she sought to reconcile her religious beliefs with her political and philosophical commitments.

In subsequent chapters, the book explores the relationship between Arendt's thought and theology in more depth. It examines her understanding of the nature of religion and its relation to politics, power, and the individual. Arendt argued that religion was not merely a matter of belief or practice but rather a complex social and political phenomenon that shaped the way people understood the world and their place in it.

The volume also examines Arendt's views on forgiveness, love, and natality, which are closely intertwined with her religious beliefs. Arendt argued that forgiveness was not just a moral obligation but also a political act that could help to heal the wounds of history and promote social justice. Love, she believed, was the foundation of human existence and the source of all moral and political values. Natality, on the other hand, was seen as a symbol of human freedom and creativity, and as a reminder of the potential for renewal and transformation.

Throughout the book, the authors draw on a wide range of sources, including Arendt's own writings, secondary literature, and religious texts. They engage in critical analysis and interpretation, offering new insights into the complex relationship between Arendt's thought and theology.

In conclusion, this volume provides a valuable contribution to the study of Hannah Arendt and her intellectual legacy. By exploring the relationship between Arendt's thought and theology, it sheds light on the ways in which she sought to understand the human condition in the context of religious and political traditions. It offers a rich and nuanced understanding of Arendt's ideas, and will be of interest to scholars and students of politics, philosophy, and religion alike.

Dimension: 229 x 165 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783593514888