“There is a story though; at parties, she was known to be found on her own, lying on a couch or a bed, expressionless.” The three panelists from Bard College peppered their discussion of Ms. Arendt with anecdotes of her life. The Thursday night, November 12th, discussion celebrated the newly published book, “Thinking in the Dark: Arendt on Ethics and Politics.”

Roger Berkowitz, the book’s editor, explained that his idea for “Thinking in Dark Times” was born at an Arendt conference at Bard College, where she taught and is buried. Berkowitz described the book as “ecumenical,” as it is a compilation of essays from scholars around the world. Some of the essays include: “Reflections on Antisemitism” by Christopher Hitchens, “Thinking in Dark Times” by Drucilla Cornell, and “Exile Reading” by Reinhard Jaube. The book also includes photographs of Arendt and photographs of her archives.

A professor of political theory at Bard College explained that Hannah Arendt believed that it is only in losing yourself in thought that you can find yourself. That is, in engrossing ourselves in thought, we can find answers. Berkowitz noted that Hannah called this type of thinking “the two in one,” referring to two actions that should take place during this type of thinking: a dialogue with ourselves and an understanding our capabilities and opinions. These actions allow us to confidently make judgment calls on the occurrences in our world. For Arendt, thinking in the manner of “the two in one” allowed her to voice her opinion on the Holocaust and the banality of evil.

The banality of evil, as Arendt called it, was one of the main topics of the panelists’ discussion. To Arendt, in many cases, the evil-doer is commonplace. He or she does evil by conforming. He or she does not think in “the two in one.” One of the panelists explained that “dark times” in the new book’s title refers to “the darkness that comes from the light of chatter and triviality.”

The banal evil exists in these dark times because of peoples’ willingness to conform, as many choose to ignore societal problems despite the need for change. Consequently, they perpetuate and make these problems worse. Thus, Arendt concludes that thinking in “the two and one” is a way through these dark times.

The event at Book Culture left me pondering Arendt’s ideas, and I am now further investigating her philosophy. The event, however, also left me confused. What is the primary goal of “Thinking in Dark Times”? Also, can thinking “in the two in one” still lead some to act in a way that is morally detrimental to society? It seemed that the panelists’ comments and the question and answer session did little to explain the ways in which society can adopt Arendt’s philosophy.

“Thinking in Dark Times: Arendt on Ethics and Politics”

Fordham University Press

$28