This is poor work. Are Arendt’s ideas so acclaimed yet so dangerous that her reputation demands dismantling? Only belatedly is it revealed that “Why Arendt Matters,” by longtime advocate Elisabeth Young-Bruehl, stung the author into action. Had he organized his article around analyzing that study’s claims, pitting Arendt’s strengths against her weaknesses in organized fashion, it could have given his critique structure. Instead (to adopt a term used to sideswipe Isaiah Berlin) it “waffles.” All critics are named, but only two “devotees”: why did the editor not require all sources to be specified? By testimony cited here, Arendt never set herself up as a “philosophical hero”; she is known for one thing---the concept of ... More »

A well-written opinion (and opinionated) piece on Hannah Arendt, one of the most important American political philosophers of the 20th century. The piece contains many interesting facts and opinions about Arendt's life and work. I would recommend this piece only to someone who has some prior knowledge of Arendt's work.