Hannah Arendt and Human Rights: The Predicament of Common Responsibility (Studies in Continental Thought)

"Peg Birmingham's reading of Arendt's work is absolutely unique. She seeks nothing less than an ontological foundation of the political, and in particular, the notion of human rights." -- Bernard Flynn, The New School for Social ResearchHannah Arendt's most important contribution to political thought may be her well-known and often-cited notion of the "right to have rights." In this incisive and wide-ranging book, Peg Birmingham explores the theoretical and social foundations of Arendt's philosophy on human rights. Devoting special consideration to questions and issues surrounding Arendt's ideas of common humanity, human responsibility, and natality, Birmingham formulates a more complex view of how these basic concepts support Arendt's theory of human rights. Birmingham considers Arendt's key philosophical works along with her literary writings, especially those on Walter Benjamin and Franz Kafka, to reveal the extent of Arendt's commitment to humanity even as violence, horror, and pessimism overtook Europe during World War II and its aftermath. This current and lively book makes a significant contribution to philosophy, political science, and European intellectual history.

"Peg Birmingham's reading of Arendt's work is absolutely unique. She
seeks nothing less than an ontological foundation of the political, and in
particular, the notion of human rights." -- Bernard Flynn, The New School for
Social Research

Hannah Arendt's most important contribution to
political thought may be her well-known and often-cited notion of the "right to
have rights." In this incisive and wide-ranging book, Peg Birmingham explores
the theoretical and social foundations of Arendt's philosophy on human rights.
Devoting special consideration to questions and issues surrounding Arendt's ideas of
common humanity, human responsibility, and natality, Birmingham formulates a more
complex view of how these basic concepts support Arendt's theory of human rights.
Birmingham considers Arendt's key philosophical works along with her literary
writings, especially those on Walter Benjamin and Franz Kafka, to reveal the extent
of Arendt's commitment to humanity even as violence, horror, and pessimism overtook
Europe during World War II and its aftermath. This current and lively book makes a
significant contribution to philosophy, political science, and European intellectual
history.

In This Book, Peg Birmingham Explores The Theoretical And Social Foundations Of Arendt's Philosophy On Human Rights. Devoting Special Consideration To Questions And Issues Surrounding Arendt's Ideas Of Common Humanity, Human Responsibility, And Natality, Birmingham Formulates A More Complex View Of How These Basic Concepts Support Arendt's Theory Of Human Rights. Birmingham Considers Arendt's Key Philosophical Works Along With Her Literary Writings, Especially Those On Walter Benjamin And Franz Kafka, To Reveal The Extent Of Arendt's Commitment To Humanity Even As Violence, Horror, And Pessimism Overtook Europe During World War Ii And Its Aftermath. This Book Makes A Contribution To Philosophy, Political Science, And European Intellectual History.--jacket. Introduction: The Problem Of Human Rights -- The Event Of Natality: The Ontological Foundation Of Human Rights -- The Principle Of Initium: Freedom, Power, And The Right To Have Rights -- The Principle Of Givenness: Appearance, Singularity, And The Right To Have Rights -- The Predicament Of Common Responsibility -- Conclusion: The Political Institution Of The Right To Have Rights. Peg Birmingham. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [143]-158) And Index. Cover......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 List of Abbreviations......Page 14 Introduction: The Problem of Human Rights......Page 18 1. The Event of Natality: The Ontological Foundationof Human Rights......Page 21 2. The Principle of Initium: Freedom, Power,and the Right to Have Rights......Page 52 3. The Principle of Givenness: Appearance, Singularity,and the Right to Have Rights......Page 87 4. The Predicament of Common Responsibility......Page 121 Conclusion: The Political Institutionof the Right to Have Rights......Page 149 Notes......Page 160 Works Cited......Page 172 Index......Page 176 In this incisive and wide-ranging book, Peg Birmingham explores the theoretical and social foundations of Arendt's philosophy of human rights. Devoting special attention to questions and issues surrounding Arendt's ideas of common humanity, human responsibility, and natality, she formulates a more complex view of how these basic concepts supports Arendt's theory of human rights