Do you live a life of action or a life of contemplation? Hannah Arendt's 1958 publication The Human Condition addresses the philosophical components of human life, including the necessity of and relationships between work, labor, and action.

Concepts

philosophers, politics, work, lifestyles, human behavior

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Bring to a philosophy class when discussing Arendt or other 20th century views on human life
• Have learners create their own presentations about the vita contemplativa
• Prompt class members to examine their own lives in a journal or poster project, noting the parts of their vita activa 

Classroom Considerations

• Video focuses on the first part of Arendt's theory; for the second part, refer to the full analysis that is available on the publisher's website
• Comment section is available for public viewing and use

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Takes a step-by-step method to explain the three elements of the vita activa in politics
• Connects well to philosophy, political science, world history, and language arts

Cons

• None

Common Core

RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.9 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.9