Abstract

Hannah Arendt, the 20th century German, Jewish, political philosopher, derived many of her most important insights from Augustine of Hippo, the 4th century African, Christian, Bishop and theologian. Arendt's analysis of modernity, particularly her discussion of the effects of hubris upon both the life of the mind and the active life, recapitulate central arguments made by Augustine. These arguments are found not only in Arendt's own dissertation on Augustine but also in almost every major treatment of politics that she wrote. This assimilation of Augustine is not surprising given Arendt's instruction in German theology, especially by the early Rudolf Bultmann. Arendt's appropriation of Augustine goes beyond diagnosis of modernity's ills and can be found in her attempt to refound modern political thought and practice on the more tenuous virtues of faith, hope, and love. By focusing on the intellectual relationship between Arendt and Augustine, we find that significant exchanges occur across time, national boundaries, race, occupation and creed. Further, Arendt's appropriations of Augustine, when combined with her clear repudiation of violence, suggest that the connection between faith and politics so long declared perilous by liberal theorists may not be so dangerous after all