Evil, Death, Suffering

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Year of Publication

2000

Author

Rhees, Rush

Editor

Phillips, D. Z. (Dewi Zephaniah)

Book

Discussions of Simone Weil

Pages

169-183

Publisher

State University of New York Press

Place Published

Albany, NY

Language

English

Chapter

13

Keywords

affliction (malheur)
Cross
death
evil
incarnation
suffering
vocation

Annotation

Rhees looks at Weil’s writings on joy and affliction giving reasons as to why Weil focused more on the latter than the former. He contrasts modern notions of suffering as problems to be solved and compassion as the desire to eradicate it to Weil’s claim one must, at times, be able to look on suffering with some acceptance of it as part of the world. He goes on to claim Weil’s view seems to give rise to a truer compassion. This chapter also includes a provocative discussion of Weil’s ideas around incarnation and the suffering of the crucifixion and why these are not comparable to the suffering of martyrs. The chapter ends with a very thoughtful discussion of vocation and affliction.