Files
Abstract
The twentieth century political philosopher Hannah Arendt developed a convincing phenomenological way of understanding political existence. Her writings have potential to shed light on many of the trials and dysfunctions that we see in today's society. Arendt believed that in ancient politics, the public realm was a space where people could act in freedom to disclose who they were and give their individual lives meaning. Arendt believed we have lost this public realm in the modern age. This thesis attempts to trace how and why Arendt came to these views, through an in-depth examination of her concept of politics and its relationship to freedom and meaningful life. It then examines how her insights can help us understand the way contemporary digital technologies, particularly social media, are influencing our current political experiences.