Attention or Destruction : Simone Weil and the Paradox of the Eucharist

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2001

Author

Wolfteich, Claire

Journal

The Journal of Religion

Volume

81

Number

3

Pages

359-376

Language

English

Publish Dates

July

Keywords

affliction (malheur)
attention
decreation
detachment
dualism
Eucharist
necessity

Annotation

Simone Weil’s understanding of the Eucharist is discussed, in particular the question of whether a literal or metaphorical interpretation of her understanding should be used. An examination of Weil’s concepts of looking, attention, eating, necessity and decreation are presented to support the argument that if read metaphorically, Weil’s writings on the Eucharist do not support the contention she was a radical dualist arguing against the reconciliation of matter and spirit.