Hannah Arendt: Between Ideologies

This book explores the twentieth-century transatlantic exchange of ideas, highlighting the practical aspects of Hannah Arendt's existentialism, which emphasizes the importance of public spaces for vocalization, action, and interaction. It also discusses the structural foundations of politics and applies her view of political action to authentic human living. The author argues that Arendt's existentialism is atypical but not postmodern, drawing inspiration from Karl Jaspers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 219 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the twentieth-century transatlantic exchange of ideas. The author contends that German-American political thinker Hannah Arendt stands apart not only from the French side of the existentialist movement but also from Heidegger on the German side. The central aspect of Arendt's existentialism lies in its practicality in political terms, recognizing the essential requirement for viable public spaces for vocalization, action, and interaction. It suggests the establishment of councils, constitutions, and other structural foundations to visibly present politics. Furthermore, Arendt's perspective on political action is applied to her assessment of authentic human living.

Drawing from the work of Karl Jaspers as her primary exemplar, the author concludes that Arendt's existentialism, characterized as atypical, can be evaluated as postmodern without fully aligning her intellectual inclinations with postmodernism.

This book provides a valuable insight into the complex interplay of ideas across the Atlantic during the twentieth century, highlighting Arendt's unique perspective and its significance in shaping political thought.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030458836
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020