FAQ About Hannah Arendt
What is the concept of 'the banality of evil'?
The concept of 'the banality of evil,' coined by Hannah Arendt in her book 'Eichmann in Jerusalem,' suggests that evil can manifest in ordinary, mundane ways. It posits that people may commit heinous acts not out of deep-seated malice but through unthinking compliance and acceptance of authority. Arendt developed this idea while observing the trial of Adolf Eichmann, where she saw him as a mediocre person who committed terrible acts by following orders without critical thought.
