The Reluctant Modernism of Hannah Arendt

by Seyla Benhabib

Interpreting the work of one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, The Reluctant Modernism of Hannah Arendt rereads Arendt's political philosophy in light of newly gained insights into the historico-cultural background of her work. Arguing against the standard interpretation of Hannah Arendt as an anti-modernist lover of the Greek polis, author Seyla Benhabib contends that Arendt's thought emerges out of a double legacy: German Existenz philosophy, particularly the thought of Martin Heidegger, and her experiences as a German-Jewess in the age of totalitarianism. This important volume reconsiders Arendt's theory of modernity, her concept of the public sphere, her distinction between the social and the political, her theory of totalitarianism, and her critique of the modern nation state, including her life long involvement with Jewish and Israeli politics.

Genres: Philosophy, Political Science

314 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Seyla Benhabib is a Turkish Jewish professor of political science and philosophy at Yale, and director of the program in Ethics, Politics, and Economics, and a well-known contemporary philosopher. She previously taught in the departments of philosophy at Boston University, SUNY Stony Brook, the New School for Social Research, and the Department of Government at Harvard University.

She is the author of several books, most notably about the philosophers Hannah Arendt and Jürgen Habermas. She has also worked with many important philosophers and scholars, including Herbert Marcuse. Benhabib is well known for combining critical theory with feminist theory.

Reviews

[Emma]

i am officially a member of the seyla benhabib fanbase. joining the ranks of adriana cavarero and sophie loidolt and dan zahavi (all philosophers with actual landmark interpretations who also happen to write WELL and not just a lot). this is a wonderful companion to arendt's work and one of many great pieces of work by benhabib which has the added benefit of reading accessibly, pleasantly, and often times beautifully. unfortunately this was not at all helpful for my dissertation (my bad) but at least i had fun!

[Laisrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters 3-6 only.

A landmark interpretation for it's time of Hannah Arendt's thought. Benhabib recontextualizes Arendt through the influence of (1) Walter Benjamin's fragmentary historical method of "pearl-diving" and (2), Heidegger's phenomenological ontology. Includes some incisive criticisms of her thinking too (esp. ch. 5) on the separation of the political and the social as well as the lack of a normative moral philosophy. However, I have to admit that Benhabib's way of redressing these deficiencies (through Habermas mostly) seem rather middling and bloodless (procedural rationality anyone?).

[Philip Chaston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seyla Benhabib examines Arendtian politics and secures her role even now: the importance of maintaining a private, intimate castle at a time when politics covets all human activity under the identity synthesis. Arendt charts examples on a case-by-case basis and narrates the role of a pariah as totalising stories allow individuals (and their institutions) to embark upon a barbarous feast of death.

Once again, anti-semitism rears its ugly head. Once again, anti-semites demand total obedience to their views and actions, whilst constraints are loosened by the moral cowardice of politicians and intellectuals. Arendt provides some guidance on how to resist this irrational and vile development.

[Ralischen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arendt, wenn sie in der SPD wäre

[S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm developing an intellectual crush on Seyla Benhabib's relationship with Arendt's thought. This isn't exactly what you'd call a summer reading but i've taken it to the beach several times.