"Wherever the relevance of speech is at stake, matters become political by definition, for speech is what makes man a political being"
About this Quote
Hannah Arendt, a renowned political theorist, asserts in this quote that speech, or the capability for discussion and communication, is fundamentally linked with politics. Her point of view is deeply rooted in classical political philosophy, particularly the works of Aristotle, who notoriously stated that people are "political animals". For both Aristotle and Arendt, it is the ability to participate in speech and reasoned debate that identifies people from other creatures and specifies political life.
When Arendt mentions "significance of speech", she indicates that speech is not simply about conveying info or expressing individual desires. Rather, it is an automobile for negotiating the common world, establishing shared significances, and debating collective worths. In her view, politics arises any place people come together to go over matters of common issue. Therefore, speech is the essential medium through which political life is carried out; it is the means by which individuals articulate their requirements, assert their rights, and engage with others in the public sphere.
The phrase "matters end up being political by definition" stresses that the act of speech itself introduces a political dimension due to the fact that it involves interaction in between individuals who should navigate differences, manage conflicts, and make every effort toward consensus. Speech helps with the public exchange necessary for collective decision-making, for consideration on laws and policies, and for holding those in power accountable.
Arendt suggests that denying or limiting speech is naturally anti-political, as it silences the dialogue needed for real political engagement. Thus, her quote not only underscores the midpoint of speech to political life however likewise implies a warning against the suppression of totally free expression, which would undermine the extremely basis of a functioning democracy.
In essence, Arendt's statement obliges us to acknowledge that the freedom to speak and to listen is fundamental to human identity as political beings-- those who inhabit, negotiate, and change the general public world through discourse.
About the Author