Angels In Hell: Argentina's Willing Altruists?

"Angels in Hell: Argentina's Willing Altruists?" explores the characteristics and motivation of those who helped the persecuted during the political killings that took place in the South American country in the 1970's. The author compares Argentine rescuers to those who helped the persecuted during the Holocaust. She claims that just as there is a "banality of evil", as argued by Hannah Arendt, there is also a "banality of good". There is nothing extraordinary about Argentine rescuers. They are ordinary people who get involved in extraordinary acts. They do not have a higher morality or a broader universe of obligation than passive bystanders. Instead, what makes the former and the latter different is their social ties. The author explores the different ways in which social networks can have an effect on an individual's likelihood of getting involved in helping endeavors.

Auteur

Jessica Casiro was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has a Ph.d in Sociology from Boston University and currently lives in Sydney, Australia. She works as a researcher at the Children and Families Research Centre.

Texte du rabat

"Angels in Hell: Argentina's Willing Altruists?" explores the characteristics and motivation of those who helped the persecuted during the political killings that took place in the South American country in the 1970's. The author compares Argentine rescuers to those who helped the persecuted during the Holocaust. She claims that just as there is a "banality of evil", as argued by Hannah Arendt, there is also a "banality of good". There is nothing extraordinary about Argentine rescuers. They are ordinary people who get involved in extraordinary acts. They do not have a higher morality or a broader universe of obligation than passive bystanders. Instead, what makes the former and the latter different is their social ties. The author explores the different ways in which social networks can have an effect on an individual's likelihood of getting involved in helping endeavors.