ARENDT E FOUCAULT: UM ANTI-HOBBESIANISMO?

Abstract

Hannah Arendt (Linden-Limmer, 1906 - Upper West Side, 1975) and Michel Foucault (Poitiers, 1926 - Paris, 1984) can be considered two of the main philosophers of the 20th century, especially in the field of Political Philosophy. In her book The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951), Arendt conducted an important analysis of the contribution of Thomas Hobbes' thought (Westport, 1588 - Derbyshire, 1679) to the development of capitalismo, noting that economic development became possible only when the power of the State was exported to other countries. Since the early 1970s, Foucault was responsible for the development of an analysis of power capable of conceiving it in his microphysics. Considering some elements present in their philosophies, Arendt and Foucault could perhaps be discussed in light of the criticism that the authors made of Hobbesian thought: regarding Hobbes' conception of absolute power and his exposition of the lack of esteem among men. Therefore, taking these issues into consideration, this article examines the closeness between Arendt and Foucault by exploring their critiques of Hobbes and their respective contributions to the concept of plurality.