Thinking Without Bannisters: The Spirit of Hannah Arendt
Film screening of Vita Activa: The Spirit of Hannah Arendt, followed by a roundtable discussion on Arendt's Thinking Without Bannisters
29th May 2017, 12:30–17:00
Venue: School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh (Project Room 1.06, first floor)
There is no entry fee. Please book your free tickets here
As original as it is wide-ranging, the work of Hannah Arendt continues to inspire. A foremost twentieth-century thinker, she is distinguished for her life-long commitment to understanding the ever-changing political realities of her time – most notably the unprecedented evils of totalitarianism – that persistently defied established standards of thought. In response, she remained unyielding in her appeal to individuals' capacity for independent judgement: one that debunks the guidance of ossified yardsticks, and confronts whatever happens in its novelty. Vita Activa: The Spirit of Hannah Arendt, the new documentary film directed by Ada Ushpiz, brings this legacy into the spotlight. This film screening and discussion aim to revivify the spirit of Arendt to reflect upon the pressing novel challenges and failures of contemporary politics.
Panel speakers:
Professor Patrick Hayden (University of St Andrews)
Dr Stephan Malinowski (University of Edinburgh)
Dr Liisi Keedus (University of York)
Programme:
12:30 – 12:45 Introductory remarks and refreshments
12:45 – 15:00 Vita Activa: The Spirit of Hannah Arendt, film screening
15:00 – 15:15 Refreshments
15:15 – 17:00 Thinking Without Bannisters, roundtable discussion on the continued relevance of Arendt's thought
The event is funded by the Global Justice Academy and the Global Development Academy, as well as the School of Social and Political Science, through the Research Student-Led Special Projects Grant.
Organising team
Dr Maša Mrovlje, Gisli Vogler, Dr Hugh McDonnell, Jill Poeggel, and Andrew Mousseau
Politics and International Relations
School of Social and Political Science
University of Edinburgh