The Human Condition -fear
“To have no private place of one’s own (like a slave) meant to be no longer human.” Hannah Arendt, The Human Condition
In The Human Condition, Arendt explores the difference between the public and private sphere of society especially as it relates to property. Arendt explains that without property a man labors for someone else at the expense of his own well-being. Arendt writes, “Poverty forces the free man to act like a slave.” (p. 64) Humans become slaves to profit mongering by the wealthy who implement control over laborers who then become commodities to the master (those in control who determine market economies). The person without property has no land to grow their own food to assist with becoming self-sufficient making them dependent upon the whims of the market which may increase food prices creating hunger and suffering. Simply put, control over their own lives is lost.
Historically in many countries, a “village” of family members and friends would assist the needy neighbor by providing advantageous connections and resources until the person became self-sufficient. Presently due to the Protestant work ethic, the expectation is that every person raises themselves up even if financial loss is not due to causes attributed to themselves. If they have financial loss then it is their responsibility alone to correct the situation. Unfortunately, in many instances, single women with children who are financially struggling are not helped by family members and have scarce resources to make a viable living obtaining basic needs for herself and her children. Subsequently, the Protestant work ethic has reduced collective responsibility towards the neighbor which is detrimental in providing protection especially when the government decreases programs which aid families and the poor.
Arendt mentions Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, an anarchist Philosopher who philosophized that “property is theft.” Proudhon was born in France in the early 19th century into a poor family and didn’t receive education as a child but assisted his father by working in a tavern. During this time period France had a population which was outgrowing the nation’s food resources such that many of the poor lived in extreme poverty-stricken conditions. When Proudhon discusses “property” he is really referring to the exploitation of the poor and middle class by the wealthy elite. Proudhon explains in his book, “What is Property,” that “we do not admit the government of man by man any more than the exploitation of man by man,” and “The downfall and death of societies are due to the power of accumulation possessed by property.” Proudhon believes governments have a corrupt nature such that exploitation is the natural condition under their rule. Additionally, Proudhon perceives the accumulation of “property” as part of an “egoistic satanic nature.” The accumulation of wealth, goods, and property at the expense of others, or the use of people as expendable commodities to serve the wealthy elite only provides benefit to the wealthy and promotes suffering among the laborers.
What drives men towards the aggressive accumulation of wealth? In tribal cultures, the strongest men with the most resources could overcome the tribes around them instead of being attacked themselves. In the modern era this is characterized on a greater scale by the production of weapons that produce greater and greater harm with acceptable collateral damage to civilians. This is the reason for the increasing number of nuclear warheads so they may be offensive instead of defensive. The underlying subconscious drive for such violent behavior is fear. Unfortunately, there is a tipping point where men’s fear will be realized with the entire planet being at risk of annihilation.
Ahrendt mentions Socialism and Communism, which were imagined as an idealistic societal milieu to rid the state of the wealthy elite for the purpose of provision for all of the state’s people, but which very quickly turns into an oppressive government with an elite few taking more resources for themselves. Additionally, the free will of the populace is eroded along with religion which instills fear and submission with the subsequent lack of drive to produce excellence or innovation. For example, in China, many laborers' wages do not allow for adequate housing even with working long hours. Some of the poorer residents reside in “coffin homes” which are no bigger than a closet. As a result of this extreme oppression and the removal of potential and free will the suicide rate dramatically increased such that the government was forced to place large nets under apartments buildings to prevent suicide by jumping from the buildings.
Also, the oppression of the poor and middle class is increased when advanced education become unaffordable which forces them into lower paying jobs. There may be individuals with advanced intellectual gifts who may create innovative solutions for the world’s problems, but who are not allowed by economic situations to fulfil their unique potential.
Therefore, due to profit mongering by the wealthy some of whom become government leaders,' humanity becomes like an ant farm laboring without meaning like mindless automatons. The human condition was purposed by God to be so much more. Humanity was provided with unique gifts and talents, that when expressed through the highest ideals of generosity, charity, compassion, empathy, righteousness, and love, humanity will reach its highest pinnacle of being. We were not meant to live out our lives in the darkness of avarice and cruelty, or in hopelessness and powerlessness. As individuals we can make a choice to pursue the highest good or the basest evil, and unfortunately, the direction of global civilization is also collectively determined by these choices such that a kingdom of Satan will be established or the Kingdom of God on earth. The ultimate choice is to worship God alone, or to worship self at the expense of all others.