‘Angry angels’ as Guides to Ethics and Faith: Reflections on Simone Weil and Gillian Rose
Publication Type |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication |
2009 |
Author |
|
Journal |
Theology |
Volume |
112 |
Number |
865 |
Pages |
14-23 |
Language |
English |
Keywords |
attention |
Annotation |
Rowlands focuses on Gillian Rose's reading of and response to Weil's essay "Human Personality". She examines where Rose and Weil run on parallel lines in their thought and where they differ. She is especially interested in their complex relationship to the Jewish and Christian traditions. Rowlands begins with an overview of Roses' life and thought, then turns to discuss Rose's treatment of Weil, especially Weil's harsh critique of the Jewish tradition. Rowlands focuses on Roses' discussion of Weil and Levinas in her essay 'Angry Angels' . Rowlands is especially interested in Rose's treatment of violence both as it is discussed by Weil and Levinas and as it 'lurks' in their respective thought. Rowlands goes on to look at human rights presenting Rose's assessment Weil did not go far enough in her treatment of the issues which arise from a discussion of them. Rowlands argues for many parallels in Weil's and Roses' view of the relationship between 'attention and decreation, renunciation and difference'. She concludes by noting a central difference between them arguing whereas Rose was moving "towards a theology of dialogue.” Weil was developing a "negative theology of counterbalance". (p. 21). |