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kateng's review against another edition
4.0
A rather interesting outlook on life! Arendt has a way with language which is precise in a way which serves her purpose. Her observations on life is rather stark as well, which helps her arguments. The only criticism I had would probably be the bias she has in terms of building her arguments on certain limited definitions. Otherwise, it was an insightful read.
dngoldman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
“What I propose in the following is a reconsideration of the human condition from the
vantage point of our newest experiences and our most recent fears. This, obviously, is a matter of
thought, and thoughtlessness—the heedless recklessness or hopeless confusion or complacent
repetition of ‘truths’ which have become trivial and empty—seems to me among the outstanding
characteristics of our time. What I propose, therefore, is very simply: it is nothing more than to
think what we are doing.” (Page, 5)
If you are looking for a book that challenges your mind and makes you question your actions, you might want to check out The Human Condition by Hannah Arendt. This book is an intellectual tour de force that explores the meaning and value of human activity in the modern world. Arendt is not a conventional philosopher who offers abstract theories or moral prescriptions. Rather, she is a political thinker who analyzes the historical and cultural forces that shape our lives and our choices.
The Human Condition is not quite a sequel to her previous work on The Origins of Totalitarianism, where she examined the rise and fall of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia. Instead, it stands as a complement to it. While The Origins of Totalitarianism is about the loss of freedom and dignity under totalitarian regimes, The Human Condition is about how to preserve and enhance freedom and dignity in democratic societies. It is a rigorous and profound book that does not cater to popular tastes or trends. It is not inaccessible, but it is not pop philosophy either. It is a tough read that demands your attention and reflection, but it is also rewarding and enlightening for those who are willing to engage with it.
The main theme of The Human Condition is the distinction between three types of human activity: labor, work, and action. Labor is the biological process of sustaining life, such as eating, sleeping, and reproducing. Work is the artificial process of creating and using things, such as tools, buildings, and art. Action is the political process of interacting with others, such as speaking, persuading, and cooperating. Arendt argues that each type of activity has its own value and purpose, but that modern society has distorted and devalued them.
According to Arendt, labor was once seen as a necessary but lowly activity that was performed by slaves or servants. Work was once seen as a noble and creative activity that was performed by craftsmen or artists. Action was once seen as a glorious and heroic activity that was performed by citizens or leaders. However, with the rise of capitalism, industrialization, and consumerism, labor has become the dominant and oppressive activity that consumes most of our time and energy. Work has become a standardized and alienated activity that produces disposable and meaningless things. Action has become a marginalized and trivialized activity that lacks public space and significance.
Arendt warns that this situation threatens our freedom and dignity as human beings. She contends that we are more than mere animals who need to survive and consume. We are also more than mere producers who need to create and use. We are also political beings who need to appear and act in front of others. We are who we are when we reveal ourselves to others through our words and deeds. We need the freedom to express ourselves and to engage with others in meaningful ways. We need the public realm where we can share our opinions and perspectives, where we can cooperate and compete, where we can celebrate and mourn.
However, maintaining this freedom is not easy or natural. It requires courage and responsibility. It requires respect and tolerance. It requires judgment and wisdom. It requires vigilance and resistance. Arendt shows that the slide into totalitarianism is easier than we think, especially when we lose our sense of history and culture, when we succumb to ideology and propaganda, when we conform to mass movements and opinions.
The Human Condition is a thrilling but challenging book that does not offer easy lessons or simple advice. It invites us to think critically and creatively about ourselves and our world. It challenges us to question our assumptions and values. It inspires us to act responsibly and passionately for our common good.
qontfnns's review against another edition
4.0
Aku milih buku ini karena ngira bakal kaya The Social Animal, lagi kangen dan butuh topik psikologi, sosial sains, dan ilmu perilaku(?) manusia. Ternyata ga sama sekali, kecele sama judulnya. The Human Condition membahas filosofi sistem kerja, politik, dan perburuhan. Kalau The Social Animal membahas manusia sebagai individu, dan interaksinya dengan individu lain, The Human Condition membahas jati manusia sebagai populasi, dan interaksinya dengan kebutuhan. Not a familiar topic at all for me and my head's spinning most of the time trying to decode the complex ideas that Arendt churned without mercy here. I think I got some.. of the big ideas? But trying to follow her train of thought that connects each of those is exhausting. Walaupun begitu, aku juga buruh. Makin dibaca makin relate, banyak bagian yang jleb.