The Human Condition: The Key Contemplation to Understanding Ask the average American what problems his country faces, and you'll get a set of standard answers. Some will say healthcare, some will say violent crimes, and some will say drugs. There will probably be someone who complains about high taxes or expresses the need for gun control. Certainly, there is evidence to support that these are all matters of great importance. However, these are only superficial aspects, while there is a deeper problem that will not have a simple legislative solution. Americans have forgotten how to think critically. Hannah Arendt places great importance on living a contemplative life, which is why her book, The Human Condition, is a worthy text. In it, she offers many insights into what could help improve American society, which is why it cannot be ignored. In the ancient Greek city-state, a life of contemplation was considered the highest form of life. Philosophers had more importance in the social hierarchy than...