An ongoing annotated group bibliography maintained by the PSU Social Practice MFA program related to art and social practice.

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Human Condition





















The Human Condition
By Hannah Arendt


Currently experiencing a philosophical revival this work by Hannah Arendt, The Human Condition, was originally published in 1958. The Human Condition has been called the basis of many of the current theories written about human interaction and relationships. Arendt focuses on three fundamental human activities: labor, work and action. Arendt feels that these three actions are fundamental, “because each corresponds to one of the basic conditions under which life has been given to man”
(p7)


Every activity performed in the public can attain an excellence never achieved in privacy; for excellence, by definition, the presence of others is always required, and this presence needs formality familiar presence of ones equals or inferiors.” (p49)

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