THE OTHER AS A CONDITION FOR THINKING IN HANNAH ARENDT

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to investigate the place of the other in the constitution of the thinking subject in the Arendtian perspective, as well as to reflect on whether the activity of thinking can be learned or taught. Thinking is characterized by Hannah Arendt as a spiritual activity, which transcends the world of appearances. Thinking is a cognitive ability, common to every human being; however, most people, immersed in their daily activities, live a thoughtless life, without exploring the full potential of their being. The worst consequence of a thoughtless life, according to Hannah Arendt, is the emergence of the banality of evil, something impossible to be traced, not being possible to identify its agent. In an attempt to answer the question “what is the place of the other in the constitution of the thinking subject in Hannah Arendt?”, we intend to understand who this other could be, as well as what their role would be in this important activity of the spirit. The investigation of this other in the activity of thinking does not have as its central focus alterity, but the other, represented in the exemplary figure of Socrates, as someone capable of provoking the movement of thought in his interlocutor. Finally, we reaffirm that thinking can be awakened and set in motion by someone whose conscience is kept critical and awake.