Staying Decent in an Indecent Society with Ian Buruma | Bonus Episode

In this bonus episode, host Roger Berkowitz speaks with Ian Buruma, a writer, journalist, educator, and award-winning thinker, as well as the Paul W. Williams Professor of Human Rights and Journalism at Bard College. Buruma shares his insights on civility and decency in society, drawing from his personal experiences in post-Nazi-occupied Europe. They discuss the harsh judgment against collaborators versus resistance fighters and the nuances of maintaining decency in an indecent society.

Reflecting on the political climate in the U.S., they debate whether America currently constitutes a decent society, considering the behavior and policies of its leaders. The dialogue delves into patriotism, roots, and the responsibilities of intellectuals versus politicians. Additionally, Buruma and Berkowitz touch on the implications of leaders' actions on societal decency, the importance of rule of law, and the potential dangers of preemptive obedience.

Look for Buruma's upcoming essay, Staying Decent in an Indecent Society, set to appear in Liberties Journal in July.

ABOUT:

Produced by the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College, this podcast offers close readings of Arendt's books alongside engaging interviews and thought-provoking conversations. Released weekly, each episode provides listeners with a deeper understanding of Arendt's philosophy and its relevance to contemporary issues. Available on all major podcast platforms, listeners join us on a captivating intellectual journey through the mind of Hannah Arendt.

New episodes every Friday morning! Join Roger Berkowitz, Founder and Academic Director of the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities at Bard College, as he discusses the works of German Jewish political theorist Hannah Arendt (1906-1975).

THE HANNAH ARENDT CENTER:

The Hannah Arendt Center provides an intellectual space for passionate, uncensored, and nonpartisan thinking that reframes and deepens the fundamental questions facing our nation and our world. Become a member and enjoy several benefits including access to our virtual reading group that takes place every Friday: https://hac.bard.edu/membership/

More information can be found on our website: https://hac.bard.edu/ Follow us on twitter https://twitter.com/arendt_center and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hannaharendtcenteratbard/

THE HOST:

Roger Berkowitz is the Founder and Academic Director of the Hannah Arendt Center at Bard College. He is the editor of The Perils of Invention: Lying, Technology, and the Human Condition, and co-editor of Thinking in Dark Times: Hannah Arendt on Ethics and Politics (2009), and Artifacts of Thinking: Reading Hannah Arendt’s Denktagebuch (2017). Berkowitz edits HA: The Journal of the Hannah Arendt Center and the weekly newsletter Amor Mundi. He is the winner of the 2019 Hannah Arendt Prize for Political Thought given by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Germany.

EDITED BY:

Alex Fox Tschan is the editor & co-producer of the “Reading Hannah Arendt with Roger Berkowitz” podcast. He is a working musician, creative producer, & audio/visual editor at his Brooklyn-based studio, The Fox & The Sound. With 25 years of recording & performance experience, Tschan’s recent projects range from indie-pop albums to audiobooks for McNally Jackson. A full spread of his work & collaborations can be found at pastelhell.com