Life, Theory, and Group Identity in Hannah Arendt's Thought

This book emphasizes the biographical, historical, and cultural aspects of Arendt's life and theory, exploring how her experience of the world impacted her thought. It argues that group action can be public and political, and that effective political actions may occur within groups. The innovative conclusions made by moving archival and biographical evidence to the center will interest professional scholars and those with a general interest in Arendt's life and theory.

Format: Hardback
Length: 189 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Philosophy often disregards the biographical, historical, and cultural contexts of theorists' lives in pursuit of a purportedly abstract and objective understanding of their work. This book offers fresh insights into Arendt's theory by highlighting the influence of her personal experiences as documented in her archival materials on her thought. While certain aspects of Arendt's life, such as her statelessness and her relationship with Heidegger, have been previously explored, this work delves into diverse topics such as the biographical and narrative aspects of Arendt's own work, the role of archiving in her thinking, significant events that have remained unarchived, her understanding of her own identities, and how these influenced the role of identity politics in her work.

In the realm of Arendt scholarship, group action tends to be underrepresented, while individual action and identity politics are often considered to reside within the private sphere. Although Arendt's theory faces challenges when addressing issues related to identity politics, she did believe that identity politics could be public and political, and that effective political actions could occur within groups. What sets this project apart is its innovative approach by placing archival and biographical evidence at the center to gain a more accurate understanding of Arendt's theory within its historical and cultural context. This volume will appeal to professional scholars engaged in Arendt's work, as well as those with a broader interest in her life and theory.

Weight: 397g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031108761
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022