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Document Details : Title: Hannah Arendt en die proto-politieke rol van vergiffenis en belofte Author(s): SCHOEMAN, Marinus Journal: Tijdschrift voor Filosofie Volume: 84 Issue: emeritaatsnummer Date: 2022 Pages: 123-140 DOI: 10.2143/TVF.84.5.3290714 Abstract : This essay deals with the important theme of taking care for maintaining and securing the public space, that artificial space which is constituted by mutual political association. This is indeed a central concern in the work of Rudi Visker and Hannah Arendt. The essay begins with a brief discussion of Visker’s work, focussing particularly on his mé-ontological theory of singularity and his argument for the essential, indispensable function of the public sphere. This serves as background for my somewhat more detailed discussion of Visker’s critical engagement with Arendt. While he concurs with several aspects of Arendt’s thought, notably her anti-expressivist view of (action in) the public sphere, he nevertheless means to expose certain flaws in her work. He reproaches Arendt for over-emphasising the ‘actor-perspective’ at the expense of the ‘institution-perspective’ on the public space. Finally, he concludes that Arendt’s work constitutes 'a peculiar, politico-philosophical translation of the metaphysics of presence'. The essay then turns to an extensive discussion of Arendt. I argue that her thoughts on the preconditions for maintaining and securing the public space (and authentic politics) could be viewed in a much more positive light, which could serve as a valuable complement (supplement) to Visker’s own views on the public space. My discussion of Arendt focusses especially on the proto-political function of forgiveness and promise in her work, something to which Visker hardly pays any attention. |
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