- Overview
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This book probes into the most important political issues of our era by reading the political philosophy of Hanna Arendt, one of the greatest political theorists of the twentieth century.
- Book Intro
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Hannah Arendt is the author of The Origin of Totalitarianism, The Human Condition, Eichmann in Jerusalem, and other prominent works in the history of philosophy. She is viewed as one of the most brilliant political theorists and philosophers of the twentieth century. Hannah Arendt, who was deprived of professorship for being Jewish and imprisoned as well, posed the following question after witnessing the Nazi massacre of six million Jews: “How can men kill several million innocent people for no reason?”
She probed into the totalitarianism of the Nazis and the Holocaust and came up with the now renowned thesis about “the banality of evil.” A lieutenant colonel of the Nazi Schutzstaffel (SS), Otto Adolf Eichmann, who forcibly removed the Jews from all over Europe to the Nazi concentration camps, was by no means a monster or a devil. Rather, he was a warm-hearted man who loved his family and was also a dutiful and competent public servant; however, he carried out the atrocious deed because he failed to think critically. Arendt, who was a witness to Eichmann’s trial in Jerusalem, reached the shocking conclusion that lack of critical thinking led to evil action.
Hanna Arendt’s philosophy still stands as a valid and profound warning to the present when it seemingly appears that the totalitarianism of Nazism has ended long ago. Are we reflecting enough on our lives, community, and the world? Because we are so busy with our lives, have we given up on thinking critically about the issues that seem too urgent and complex? This book explores the important political and philosophical problems that are relevant to our age. Furthermore, it does not stop short of simply understanding Hannah Arendt’s thought but calls for ways in which we can relate it to the present status of political conditions in South Korea. Hannah Arendt affirms that unless we think critically about our present reality, we could all become other Eichmanns and that the totalitarianism of the Nazis could resurrect at anytime—that there is no one who can think for another person and even if there was, that is equivalent to giving up one’s political rights and freedom. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to gain political freedom, as espoused by the critical thought of Hannah Arendt.
- About the Author
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Lee Jinwoo
Lee studied German language and literature at Yonsei University and received his master’s and doctorate degrees in philosophy from the University of Augsburg, Germany. He was a professor of philosophy at Keimyung University and served as the university’s president, while also being named chairman of the Korean Nietzsche Association, chairman of the Korean Philosophy Association, and chairman of the POSCO Education Foundation. He is currently a professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Sociology at POSTECH. Lee has published over 60 books and translations on various topics ranging from the origins of philosophy to modern scientific philosophy, thereby contributing to the ideological foundation of our society. Through various media and lectures such as JTBC’s Differential Class, tvN's Latest Bookstores, and KBS1’s Issues with Ssaem, the author has worked to reach out to the public and raise awareness of the joys of philosophy. Lee’s books include Nietzsche’s Life Lectures, Charatustra as Life Teachings, Hannah Arendt’s Political Lectures, The Philosophy of Doubt, Nietzsche: Experimental Thinking and Extreme Thinking, and Philosophy on Earth.
