The Banality of Evil: Hannah Arendt and 'The Final Solution'

by Bernard J. Bergen

Overview

This highly original book is the first to explore the political and philosophical consequences of Hannah Arendt's concept of 'the banality of evil, ' a term she used to describe Adolph Eichmann, architect of the Nazi 'final solution.' According to Bernard J. Bergen, the questions that preoccupied Arendt were the meaning and significance of the Nazi genocide to our modern times. As Bergen describes Arendt's struggle to understand 'the banality of evil, ' he shows how Arendt redefined the meaning of our most treasured political concepts and principles-freedom, society, identity, truth, equality, and reason-in light of the horrific events of the Holocaus

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847692101
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/06/1998
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	598,843
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.64(d)

About the Author

Bernard J. Bergen is professor emeritus of psychiatry and sociology at the Darmouth Medical School and Dartmouth College. Among his books is Illumination of Darkness: Freud and the Social Bond.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 The Problem of "The Final Solution" Chapter 4 The Problem of Thinking Chapter 5 The Problem of "The Political" Chapter 6 The Problem of Terror Chapter 7 Index

Editorial Reviews

The Banality of Evil ...is interesting exploration of Arendt's thought. ...it is worth considering seriously.

[Bergen] offers a fresh interpretation of the controversial phrase 'the banality of evil.'

Bernard Bergen has written a thoughtful, clear inquiry into the key concepts and interpretations that make up Hannah Arendt's theory of totalitarianism. He approaches her Eichmann in Jerusalem with rare balance of judgment and sensitivity.

From the Publisher

[Bergen] offers a fresh interpretation of the controversial phrase 'the banality of evil.'

CHOICE

[Bergen] offers a fresh interpretation of the controversial phrase 'the banality of evil.'

Choice

The Banality of Evil ...is interesting exploration of Arendt's thought. ...it is worth considering seriously.

Studies In Contemporary Jewry

Bernard Bergen has written a thoughtful, clear inquiry into the key concepts and interpretations that make up Hannah Arendt's theory of totalitarianism. He approaches her Eichmann in Jerusalem with rare balance of judgment and sensitivity.

Elisabeth Young-Bruehl

[Bergen] offers a fresh interpretation of the controversial phrase 'the banality of evil.'

Choice Reviews