Episode 68: Benjamin Brewer on Hannah Arendt & Forgiveness
Sep 1, 2023
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Philosopher Benjamin Brewer joins Myisha Cherry to discuss Hannah Arendt's perspectives on forgiveness, repair, and revenge. They also explore unintended consequences, forgiveness in different domains of life, and the emotional weight of studying history. The conversation touches on Hannah Arendt's life, her move to New York, and her career as a writer and teacher. They also chat about a movie and its director, and provide language learning tips.
Forgiveness interrupts the cycle of revenge, allowing for new relations and the expression of freedom in the public realm.
Hannah Arendt believes that forgiveness is necessary for political life, acknowledging the finite nature of human beings and the potential for unforeseeable consequences in our actions.
Deep dives
Hannah Arendt's Definition of Forgiveness
Hannah Arendt's definition of forgiveness is a radical political act that recognizes the forgiven party as more than their past deed, freeing them from being solely defined by its consequences. Forgiveness interrupts the cyclical chain reaction of revenge and opens up a future that is not determined by the past. It is a spontaneous and unexpected reaction that allows for new relations and the expression of freedom in the public realm.
The Life and Work of Hannah Arendt
Hannah Arendt, a prominent political thinker, was born in Germany in the early 20th century. She studied with influential German philosophers and lived in France before seeking refuge in the United States. Arendt's thinking is grounded in concrete historical phenomena, and she examines the conditions and implications of these phenomena, challenging conventional wisdom and offering fresh insights. Her work emphasizes the importance of action and speech in the public realm, highlighting the existential condition of human plurality.
The Link Between Forgiveness and Punishment
Hannah Arendt identifies forgiveness as a reaction that interrupts the cycle of revenge, freeing both the forgiver and the forgiven from being solely defined by the consequences of past actions. On the other hand, punishment serves a similar purpose, aiming to rehabilitate, make restitution, or protect society. However, forgiveness is spontaneous, unexpected, and primarily applies to unintended actions, while punishment is more codifiable and often deals with intentional or violent acts. Arendt believes that forgiveness is necessary for political life, as it acknowledges the finite nature of human beings and the potential for unforeseeable consequences in our actions.
The Unforgivable and the Banality of Evil
According to Hannah Arendt, there are actions that can be considered unforgivable, particularly when they involve extreme crime and willed evil. She points to the Holocaust as the paradigmatic example of unforgivable acts, as they attack the fundamental condition of human plurality. Arendt sees the crimes of the Holocaust as an assault on the idea of coexistence with people who are different from us. Additionally, she asserts that forgiveness is impossible when the act committed turns out to be unforgivable. Arendt's exploration of the banality of evil in her book on Adolf Eichmann further highlights this concept.