Description
Book SynopsisIn the early 1940s, Simone Weil (1909-1943) wrote that 'the glossy surface' of her civilization hid 'a real intellectual decadence'. This collection of essays examines the life and words of Simone Weil, the late French activist, philosopher, and mystic.
Trade Review"In these essays marking the centenary of Simone Weil's birth, contributors show how the life and words of the late French activist, philosopher, and mystic are arguably more urgent now than ever before. The book's first section analyzes the "radical orientation" suggested in Weil's writings, addressing the relevance of her religious ideas, the "irrelevant," the posture of attentiveness and "looking," and the roles of erotic exemplarity and mystery. The second section examines the "radical world" that follows from that orientation, considering themes like violence, power, resistance, responsibility, feminism, liberation theology, science, technology, propaganda, and political hegemony." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.
'A collection of essays on the continuing significance of Simon Weil is likely to be welcome to those interested in serious reflection on religions and their traditions.' -- oxfordjournals.org
‘This sharp set of essays examines Weil's disconcerting life and work, revealing her troubling relevance for the contemporary world. Filled with more than its share of surprises, these well-written pieces by an excellent panel of scholars call us to attend to Weil's strange genius and to reckon with her counterintuitive insights. I have no doubt that I will return to this collection many times in the years to come.' - Stephen Bloch-Schulman, Elon University, NC, USA -- Stephen Bloch-Schulman
‘This is a splendid collection of interpretative essays focused on the radical character of Simone Weil's contribution. The editors have assembled essays that locate Weil's insights in the context of late 20th century thought, including reflections on her enduring importance for readers concerned with spirituality, social justice and the role of science and technology in contemporary life. The volume offers an interdisciplinary approach that is accessible and illuminating, inviting to both new readers and scholars of Weil's compelling insights. I was especially excited about the chapters that situated these insights within the context of French feminism and Latin American liberation theology.' - Clare Fischer, Starr King School for the Ministry, Berkeley, CA, USA -- Clare Fischer
Book mentioned in The Church Times New Titles section. April 2010 * Church Times *
Table of ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements Notes on Contributors List of Abbreviations Preface : The Relevance of Simone Weil: 100 Years Later JACQUES CABAUD Introduction: A Call to Radicalism A. REBECCA ROZELLE-STONE and LUCIAN STONE PART I. RADICAL ORIENTATION 1. Simone Weil on Modern Disequilibrium BARTOMEU ESTELRICH 2. Simone Weil and the Ethic of (Im)moderation A. REBECCA ROZELLE-STONE 3. The Supernatural as Remedy toTotalitarian Regimes - Simone Weil on Sanctity and the Eucharist MARIE CABAUD MEANEY 4. Christianity and the Errors of Our Time: Simone Weil on Atheism and Idolatry MARIO VON DER RUHR 5. "To Make Known This Method": Simone Weil and the Business of Institutional Education CHRISTOPHER A. P. NELSON 6. Mystery and Philosophy ERIC O. SPRINGSTED PART II. RADICAL WORLD 7. Miracles and Supernatural Physics: Simone Weil on the Relationship of Science and Religion VANCE G. MORGAN 8. Simone Weil's Analysis of Modern Science as the Basis of Her Critique of the Technological Society LAWRENCE E. SCHMIDT 9. The 'War' on Error? Violent Metaphor and Words with Capital Letters A. REBECCA ROZELLE-STONE and LUCIAN STONE 10. Despair is the Handmaiden of War E. JANE DOERING 11. Power, Subjectivity, and Resistance in the Thought of Simone Weil and Michel Foucault KRISTA E. DUTTENHAVER and COY D. JONES 12. An Ethical Account of the Self Who Might Be Otherwise: Simone Weil and Judith Butler CYNTHIA GAYMAN 13. Mystical Selfhood and Women's Agency: Simone Weil and French Feminist Philosophy SARAH PINNOCK 14. Truly Incarnated: Simone Weil's Revised Christianity INESE RADZINS 15. Affliction and the Option for the Poor: Simone Weil and Latin American Liberation Theology MARIA CLARA LUCCHETTI BINGEMER Bibliography Index
