Power, Punishment and Reconciliation in the Political and Social Thought of Simone Weil
Publication Type |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication |
2008 |
Author |
|
Journal |
European Journal of Social Theory |
Volume |
11 |
Number |
3 |
Pages |
315-330 |
Language |
English |
Publish Dates |
Aug |
Keywords |
Linklater, Andrew |
Annotation |
As noted in the title, Hamilton explores Weil's thought on politics and justice. He begins by looking at Weil's claim that the human soul is subject to gravity or force. He explores what Weil means by these terms, especially her emphasis on the 'relentless self-concern' of human beings. He moves on to assess the plausibility of her claim, ultimately arguing Weil is taking her own particular sense of her spiritual state and universalizing it. He then challenges the use of Weil's work by contemporary writers such as Andrew Linklater to establish some kind of cosmopolitan ethic. Hamilton points out some of the inconsistencies and dangers in Weil's writing on necessity, forgiveness and love. Finally, he turns a critical eye on Weil's ideas about justice and punishment. Although he identifies a number of weaknesses in her views on these subjects, they still, he says, offer something of value to the discussions around justice. He is especially interested in relating Weil's ideas to the operation and consideration of 'luck' in criminal behaviour and the implications for the notion of restorative justice and reconciliation. |