Language:
German
Year of publication:
2012
Titel der Quelle:
Naharaim
Angaben zur Quelle:
6,1 (2012) 108-120
Keywords:
Arendt, Hannah,
;
Schmitt, Carl,
;
Holocaust (Jewish theology)
;
Good and evil Religious aspects
;
Judaism
;
Good and evil Philosophy
Abstract:
Discusses Arendt's concept of "the banality of evil" in light of critical comments by her contemporaries Saul Bellow, Jean Améry, and Karl Jaspers, as well as Carl Schmitt's reactions to her "Eichmann in Jerusalem". Argues that Arendt not only used the concept to describe Eichmann's character, but also to characterize the essence of evil. As opposed to Kant and moral philisophy, which viewed evil as "radical", Arendt viewed it as banal, and in its superficiality unable to produce deep thinking. Argues, however, that Arendt did not mean to imply that deep thinkers are incapable of evil, but rather that real thinking presupposes the ability to identify with the situation of others. Carl Schmitt, a German Nazi-sympathizing intellectual, felt stung by Arendt's theories and denied any responsibility in the genocide of the Jews, since he did not personally participate in it. He also denied the validity of the concept "crime against humanity". Concludes that Arendt's strongest point in "Eichmann in Jerusalem" is her argument that German intellectuals' open support for Nazism could provide Eichmann with justification for his attitude toward the Jews and other minorities.
DOI:
10.1515/naha-2012-0007
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink
