Daimonion as a metaphor for acting and thinking Who in the philosophy of Hannah Arendt
Keywords:
H. Arendt, Socrates, daimon, daimonion, action, thinking, “two-in-one” conscience, the common being.Abstract
Hannah Arendt refers to the notions of ancient Greek philosophy for the clarifi cation her
own concepts of action and thinking. These in particular are the terms “daimon”, “daimonion”
associated with thought and personality of Socrates. This article considers the role of metaphorical
using of these categories in such Arendt’s texts as “Vita activa, or about the activities of life”,
“Life of the Mind”, “Thinking and moral considerations”. How does the socratic daimon
(daimonion) become a metaphor in Arendt’s philosophy? What functions does his image play in
Arendt's concepts of action and thinking? What things do separate and unite the context of the
metaphorical application of these terms in her different texts? The answers on these questions
form the content of the article.
