Arendt

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Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) was a philosopher and political theorist whose work has had a profound impact on twentieth-century thought. A student of Martin Heidegger and Karl Jaspers, she fled Nazi Germany to Paris in 1933 and later escaped to New York in 1941. Her book The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) established her as a prominent thinker. After teaching at prestigious institutions like Princeton and Berkeley, she joined the New School in 1967. Arendt is well-known for her works such as The Human Condition and On Revolution, as well as her controversial analysis of Adolf Eichmann's trial, which led her to coin the phrase "the banality of evil." This introduction to her thought by Dana Villa offers a comprehensive overview of her life and intellectual journey. It explores key themes, including her analysis of political evil, the nature of political freedom and action, her critique of modernity, and her insights on responsibility and judgment. The guide also delves into her views on contemplation and the faculties of mental life, alongside her lasting influence on civic republicanism, the Frankfurt School, communitarianism, and Marxism. With a chronology, chapter summaries, and further reading suggestions, this resource is invaluable for those studying politics, sociology, history, and economics.