Arendt on Totalitarianism
Mohit Mookim

20 February 2017

Despite being over forty years old, Roger Errera's interview of philosopher Hannah Arendt in the New York Review of Books may be as timely as ever. Could something approaching totalitarianism be unfolding before us today—either in America or abroad? We hear echoes throughout the interview that may remind you of our current political situation.

Regardless of your political stance, there's something foreboding about the statment, "Totalitarianism begins in contempt for what you have." Her discussion of facts and lies draws parallels to fake news and declining trust in experts.

She also chimes in about history, evil, and progress: Is there any way to remove all contingency from history? Does the arc of history really bend tend towards progress?

Full Link:

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/1978/10/26/hannah-arendt-from-an-interview/

 
 

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