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Showing posts from November, 2016

#5 – 01/12/2016: The Origins of Totalitarianism (2): The Jews and Society

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'Comprehension, in short, means the unpremeditated, attentive facing up to, and resisting of, reality––whatever it may be. Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism Our second session on  The Origins of Totalitarianism will grapple with Arendt's investigation into Nazism and the Jewish question. Focusing specifically on Arendt's chapter 'The Jews and Society', we will explore Arendt's conviction that Jews were by no means innocent victims, but rather agents who acted and re-acted within the public realm. This line of thought leads Arendt to a highly controversial question: if Jews were not innocent victims of Nazi violence, then do they in some way share the responsibility for that violence? J oin us for our final meeting before the winter break – expect vegan wine and snacks! Where?:   LHRI, Seminar Room 1  When?:  Thursday 1st December, 5-7pm Primary reading :  Hannah Arendt, 'The Jews and S ociety', in  The Origi

#4 – 17/11/2016: The Origins of Totalitarianism (1): A Classless Society

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'It was characteristic of the rise of the Nazi movement in Germany and of the Communist movements in Europe after 1930 that they recruited their members from this mass of apparently indifferent people whom all other parties had given up as too apathetic or too stupid for their attention.' Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism Next week's meeting is particularly topical given the results of the US election.  It will be the first of our two sessions on  The Origins of Totalitarianism , and will focus on one of the key 'origins' that Arendt identifies: the aspiration towards a classless society. Join us for a thought provoking, and perhaps cathartic, discussion. Where?:   LHRI, Seminar Room 1  When?:  Thursday 17th November, 5-7pm Primary reading :  Hannah Arendt, 'A Classless Society?', in  The Origins of Totalitarianism . Click here  for PDF Secondary reading:  both prefaces to  The Origins of Totalitarianism . Click here  for PD