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"The Banality of Evil"


"The Banality of Evil"
An analysis of Hannah Arendt's work "The Banality of Evil." Several possibilities are discussed which explain evil and its results.
1,263 words (approx. 5.1 pages) | 2 sources | MLA | 2006 United States


Paper Summary:

This paper explores Hannah Arendt's theory which she called "the banality of evil." Arendt's hypothesis is critiqued and studied through the example of Adolf Eichmann, a figure responsible for orchestrating the Nazi Holocaust. A disturbing facet of Arendt's argument is based on the belief that Adolf Eichmann lacked intrinsically evil psychological makeup. It is debated in this paper whether a human being could willingly devise a scheme that was the most sadistic and systematic killing in world history. A brief portion of the paper examines common instances where the 'banality of evil' could excuse wrongdoing.

From the Paper:

"The term 'banality of evil' can be explained in a variety of ways. Literally, the word 'banality' translates as "dullness". The word evil can be defined as "something that brings sorrow, distress, or calamity" . On the surface, a basic analysis of the phrase implies that sadistic behavior does not always have a starting point. Arendt's use of this phrase offers an alternative explanation to our traditional perceptions of evil. She refutes the notion that an ulterior motive must exist to commit sinister acts such as the Holocaust. In Eichmann's example, this would imply that he was not motivated by Anti-Semitism or inner-resentment towards any race. Instead, Arendt proposes that some individuals' capacity for evil derives from their superficial character. Their superficiality dulls their ability to make informed and moral decisions."

Cite this paper

APA Citation:

"The Banality of Evil" (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 10, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Persuasive-Essay-The-Banality-of-Evil/74874

MLA Citation:

""The Banality of Evil"" 15 January 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Persuasive-Essay-The-Banality-of-Evil/74874>




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Published by:

MDTerp09 US
Publisher Since:
Oct 25, 2006
As a high-school student, I received consistent honors and excelled in my English and writing courses. I currently attend a sub-ivy league school and am pursuing a career in English. Ideally, I would love to write novels for a living. However, in all likelihood, I will settle for writing for a major newspaper or experiment with other opportuntities in journalism. My work is not perfect, but I do strive to portray material in an accurate manner while maintaining a clear and concise style of writing. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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