The Human ConditionA work of striking originality bursting with unexpected insights, The Human condition is in many respects more relevant now than when it first appeared in 1958. In her study of the state of modern humanity, Hannah Arendt considers humankind from the perspective of the actions of which it is capable. The problems Arendt identified then--diminishing human agency and political freedom, the paradox that as human powers increase through technological and humanistic inquiry, we are less equipped to control the consequences of our actions--continue to confront us today. This new edition, published to coincide with the fortieth anniversary of its original publication, contains an improved and expanded index and a new introduction by noted Arendt scholar Margaret Canovan which incisively analyzes the book's argument and examines its present relevance. A classic in political and social theory, The Human condition is a work that has proved both timeless and perpetually timely. |
Contents
Prologue | 1 |
The Public and the Private Realm | 22 |
The Polis and the Household | 28 |
Copyright | |
40 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
action and speech activity actually Adam Smith altogether ancient animal laborans antiquity appear Arbeit Aristotle become beginning body capacity century Christian classical economics common world concept consumed consumption contemplation Das Kapital deeds Descartes discovery distinction distinguished doubt durability earth economic eternal eudaimonia event existence experience fabrication fact force forgive freedom Greek Hesiod homo faber household human affairs human artifice human condition idea immortality individual inherent instruments Karl Marx labor power less living longer man's Marx Marx's matter means modern age mortal nature necessity needs never Nicomachean Ethics objects origin pain philosophy Plato polis public realm reality realm of human reason reification remain Roman Roman Empire rule seems sense slaves social society specifically story Summa theologica tangible theory things thought tion tradition transformation travail truth universe vita activa W. J. Ashley wealth words worldly