Welcome to the Virtual Reading Group
Join us for a thoughtful and spirited exploration of the works of Hannah Arendt. Founder and Academic Director Roger Berkowitz personally leads the VRG each week and engages closely with members as he conducts in-depth readings of Arendt's books. We read one book or collection of essays over the course of a few months; sessions are held (almost) every Friday at 1pm Eastern Time. To prepare, we read selections ranging from 20 to 50 pages. The group progresses slowly to allow for close readings. Sessions are conducted via Zoom. See below for information on how to participate and what the group is currently reading. If you have any questions, please email Jana Mader, Director of Academic programs at [email protected].
What We're Reading
Our current book is The Life of the Mind, published three years after Arendt’s passing in 1978. In this work, she explores the nature of thinking, willing, and judging, examining how these mental faculties shape our understanding of justice, reason, and responsibility in the face of modern crises of meaning.
Find the new Critical Edition here. (We are also referring to the original Mary McCarthy edition, for those who wish to read that version.)
Our current reading schedule
Friday, June 20
Book II, Willing – Introduction and Syllabus, Section 1, 2, and 3
Friday, June 27 No session
Friday, July 4 Independence Day – No session
Friday, July 11
Book II, Willing - Chapter I: The Philosophers and the Will (continued) Sections 4, 5, and 6
Friday, July 18
Book II, Willing - Chapter II: Quaestio mihi factus sum sections 7 and 8
Friday, July 25
Book II, Willing - Chapter II: Quaestio mihi factus sum sections 9 and 10
Summer Break: August 1-29 - no sessions
Find the new critical edition here.
Participation is Free for HAC Members and Bard Students
If you're not a member yet, join the Hannah Arendt Center and click "yes" when asked if you'd like to participate. Once you're signed up, you'll receive emails with all the information you need to attend the upcoming VRG session. All sessions are recorded and made available to members on our Youtube channel.
In the VRG but want more?
The Hannah Arendt Center Dialogue Project gathers smaller groups of readers to further explore and discuss texts from the Virtual Reading Group. Participation in the VRG is free for HAC members.
See the Virtual Reading Group in Action
The Virtual Reading Group is a lively discussion based on a close reading of selected works by Hannah Arendt. Using Zoom, Roger Berkowitz and Jana Mader, lead groups of 60 to 100 members through selected chapters.
What Participants Are Saying
"That Roger is willing and able to put forth the effort to expand this work beyond the boundary's of academia is fortunate for us and important in the world." —Harold Bush
"The ability to download the sessions afterwards is invaluable for me keeping up with the group. I cannot always participate in session because of the time difference." —Yana Canteloupe
"I applaud you to invite people from around the world to study Hannah Arendt's work with Roger. That we can all connect and participate, it's simply wonderful!" —Gertrud Lawrance
"I've been reading Hannah Arendt for the past few years and this is the first opportunity I've had to hear her work discussed - It was exhilarating!" —Rhea Pretsell
"I think just the fact that is exists is the best thing. It is an honor to sit with such engaged and informed people sharing an interest in Arendt. It was clear from our last meeting in December that HAC has given much thought about ways to continue and I'm happy to work along next year with those proposals." —Donna Weeks