Finding freedom: Simone Weil, Hannah Arendt, and Herbert Marcuse on post-totalitarian politics

Simone Weil, Hannah Arendt and Herbert Marcuse are generally considered to be theorists quite distinct from one another. In this paper, I argue that there are notable similarities in their work, particularly with regards to their social and political critique of modern, technological society. Each of them emerged during World War II as social critics who attempted to trace the rise and success of totalitarian movements, while engaging with the most fundamental political issues of their times: collective action, the relationship of the individual to their society, and justice, among others. Using a selection of their most significant writings, I consider their views on freedom, rationality, and science and technology, along with their vision of politics, and emphasize their similar perspectives on these issues. I conclude with some deliberations about their core beliefs, and summarize the commitment of each to a post-totalitarian politics dedicated to the fulfillment of human potential.