The Concept of "Self" and its Relation to Political Action in Hannah Arendt and Herbert Marcuse
Subject Areas : Research in Theoritical PoliticsMohammad Abedi Ardakani 1 * , Mahmoud Alipour 2
1 - Yazd University
2 - Tarbiat Modares University
Keywords: self subject Political Action Arendt Marcuse,
Abstract :
In connection with concept the self, There is abundant writings and works. Nevertheless, one of the definitions of the Self, Especially in modernist and postmodernist attitude, refers to space of independent and autonomous activism of subject, as can be seen in the Phrase like Self-advancing, depend on themselves and did itself. Basically, the self concept among political thinkers is frequently observed. Two of the thinkers of the twentieth century that with this understanding of self have written, are Hannah Arendt and Herbert Marcuse. On one hand, by introducing the concept of "human diversity”, Arendt follows idea that introduce humans as self (subject) and reveal as distinct and free existent. And finally, this approach connects with the concept of action to introduce the human self as designator in the political system. On the other hand, is Herbert Marcuse that in One-Dimensional Man' book, is looking activation humans as active and independent selves from the grip of a kind of continuity that capitalist society has created. Therefore, as long as there is the continuity, Political action is also limited. Basically, common feature between Arendt and Marcuse can be noted to their efforts in activating the Human minds or selves and its connection to political activism. Fundamentally distinct concepts of self, in the Arendt and Marcuse thought, compared to the previous political philosophy, is that self in philosophy, is highly dependent on power, domination, Technology and Media. But these thinkers, with the connection of the subject to political action, attempt to renew subject, political activism.