在《极权主义的起源》中,汉娜·阿伦特提出了“根本的恶”的概念,论述了极权主义统治所犯下的极端的罪恶。然而通过对艾希曼审判的关注,她逐渐改变了原来的观点,提出了“平庸的恶”的观点,认为极权主义所犯下的罪恶往往都是由与艾希曼类似的平庸而肤浅的人所促成的,并对德国特定时代的社会隐忧和个人责任做出了深刻的反思。 In “The Origin of Totalitarianism,” Hannah Arendt put forward the concept of “fundamental evil” and expounded the extreme evil committed by totalitarian rule. However, with the concern of Eichmann’s trial, she gradually changed her original viewpoints and put forward the view of “commonplace evil ”, that the total crimes committed by totalitarianism are often dominated by similar mediocrity with Eichmann and Superficial person, and made deep introspection on the social worries and individual responsibilities of Germany in a particular era.