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Reading Hannah Arendt with Roger Berkowitz
>> YOUR LINK HERE: ___ http://youtube.com/watch?v=8bNnSVxKmgs
In this conversation, Roger Berkowitz unpacks the lasting relevance of Hannah Arendt’s thought, emphasising her practical approach to politics. Arendt, known for her scepticism of intellectuals and bureaucracy, was less interested in abstract philosophy and more focused on how we navigate power and truth in the real world. Berkowitz also explores Arendt’s complex stance on Zionism and antisemitism—supporting a Jewish homeland while critiquing ethnonationalism. • At the heart of Arendt’s philosophy is the idea that politics is not about consensus but about the ability to disagree respectfully. In today’s polarised climate, Berkowitz argues, Arendt’s insights offer crucial guidance on engaging with difficult political realities. • 00:00 Intro • 01:39 Interview begins • 02:56 Arendt’s connection to Bard College, where she is buried. • 05:01 The creation of the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College. • 05:52 Arendt's practical philosophy and avoidance of academic jargon. • 07:16 Arendt’s preference for a broad approach over being labeled a philosopher. • 08:21 The primacy of opinion in politics over objective truth in Arendt's thought. • 09:02 Moral and political truths emerge from shared experiences. • 10:11 World alienation through the lens of the Scientific Revolution. • 13:46 Arendt’s wariness of intellectuals in politics. • 17:15 The separation of expertise and political action. • 21:23 Arendt’s critique of bureaucracy as a threat to self-governance. • 22:51 Social media platforms and their role in fostering conversations. • 24:51 The importance of nuanced debate to avoid polarization. • 25:34 Disagreement as a means of fostering justice and piety. • 26:15 Truth emerges from conversation, not objectivity. • 27:34 Safe spaces in education promote civil disagreement. • 29:06 Arendt’s view on ideologies and their dangers. • 30:14 Postcolonial ideology and simplified oppression narratives. • 32:02 Arendt’s critique of violence in politics. • 33:25 The dangers of third worldism. • 36:09 Ideological narratives about the Israel-Palestine conflict. • 37:54 Anti-Semitism tied to Jews’ relationship with state power. • 40:09 The distinction between racism and prejudice in Arendt’s thought. • 42:12 Arendt’s argument on inherent prejudice vs. ideological racism. • 46:07 Arendt’s support for a Jewish homeland but opposition to ethnonationalism. • 47:44 Arendt as a bold thinker, often opposing systems and ideologies. • 49:16 Arendt’s view on Jewish sovereignty and wielding power. • 50:09 Arendt’s prediction of the complexities in nation-states like Israel. • 50:51 Arendt’s critique of Israel’s ethnonationalist tendencies. • 52:42 Arendt’s role as an observer advocating coexistence. • 54:31 Arendt’s realistic acknowledgment of coexistence challenges in the 1940s. • 56:12 Arendt’s belief in friendships that withstand disagreements. • 59:10 Arendt’s view on politics and its relation to constructive debate. • 01:00:56 Arendt valued non-ethnic tribalism and broader belonging. • 01:03:10 Arendt’s acknowledgment of gender’s impact without conforming to traditional roles. • 01:08:26 The global intellectual discussions hosted by the Hannah Arendt Center today. • ------- • Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. • Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. • Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern heterodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. • --- • Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. • Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup • Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support • We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91
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