Reading Hannah Arendt with Roger Berkowitz The Concept of History, Parts I and II | Between Past and Future, Chapter 2
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Sep 27, 2024 Dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the shift from individual deeds to historical processes and its impact on modern society. The relationship between scientific advancement and societal change is scrutinized, revealing both benefits and risks, especially for marginalized communities. The transformation of historical thought is explored, emphasizing the complexities of philosophical interpretations. Finally, the beauty and intricacy of Arendt's writing style are highlighted, showcasing her impact on understanding tradition and meaning in the contemporary world.
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Man-Made History Creates Unpredictable Power
- Arendt argues that making history a man-made process turns humans into agents who can unpredictably alter nature and history.
- This introduces godlike capacity without guaranteed foresight, creating grave political and environmental risks.
Storytelling Grants Human Immortality
- For Greeks, nature was permanent and deeds were fleeting, making humans unique through remembered stories.
- Arendt says storytelling grants humans a chance at worldly immortality distinct from the species continuity of animals.
Science Alienates Us From The Shared World
- Science emerges from distrust in senses and thus alienates humans from the shared world of sense and common judgment.
- Arendt (via Berkowitz) links modern science to a withdrawal to abstract, Archimedean viewpoints rather than public, sense-based certainty.
