A Political Theology of the Absurd? Albert Camus and Simone Weil on Social Transformation

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2006

Author

Skrimshire, Stefan

Journal

Literature and Theology

Volume

20

Number

3

Pages

286-300

Language

English

Keywords

absurd
Camus, Albert
attention
cross
decreation
work

Annotation

This article looks at the idea of the absurd in the work of Albert Camus and Simone Weil, especially the role such thought plays in the development of their political philosophy. After presenting a thoughtful and sympathetic summary of Camus, the article goes on to offer a concise but relatively comprehensive presentation of Weil’s thought on the ‘spirituality of work’, ‘decreation’, the cross and attention. Ultimately, the author argues Weil’s theological views provide her political philosophy with more resources for social transformation.