The Thought of God

In Arendt's introduction chapter, she reflects on theology, philosophy, metaphysics and ultimately the notion and thought of God. She discusses the existence of God and how the dynamics of understanding God are "no longer convincing" (Arendt 10). After enduring and witnessing life-altering events such as World War I, World War II, and the Holocaust she emphasizes that the traditional thought of the existence of God can no longer be used and is otherwise "dead". For example, in Medieval times, people looked for the explanation of the Black Plague as from God and that in some way or another the person deserved this suffering to atone for one's sins. She is merely explaining to her readers that this reality of God can no longer be assumed and people can no longer view the world in this manner. Overall, I feel that her explanation of this notion of God is not unrealistic after undergoing what the people of this time period had witnessed and experienced.