Hannah Arendt

Philosopher who redefined political thought with analyses of totalitarianism and 'the banality of evil'

Hannah Arendt (1906–1975), a German-American philosopher, reshaped 20th-century political theory through works like The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951). Her coverage of Adolf Eichmann's trial introduced the controversial concept of "the banality of evil", arguing that ordinary people can commit atrocities through thoughtless obedience.

Arendt fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and became stateless until gaining U.S. citizenship in 1951. In The Human Condition (1958), she distinguished between labor, work, and action – positing that true freedom arises through public political engagement. Her critique of modernity's focus on productivity over meaningful action remains influential in critical theory.

Despite criticism for her portrayal of Eichmann, Arendt's insistence on "thinking without banisters" (independent critical thought) established her as a fearless intellectual. The Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College continues to promote her legacy of vigilant democracy.

Arendt's interdisciplinary approach blended philosophy, history, and journalism, making her work accessible beyond academia. She famously stated: No one has the right to obey. – challenging blind compliance to authority.