Simone Weil: Secularism and Syncretism

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2005

Author

Kennedy, Emmet

Journal

The Journal of the Historical Society

Volume

5

Number

2

Pages

203-225

Work Type

Historical Political Science

Language

English

Publish Dates

Spring

Keywords

Alain (Emile Chartier)
Marxism
pacifism
religion
syncretism

Annotation

Kennedy presents a brief overview of Weil’s life in conjunction with the specific aspects of her thought developed at particular points in time. He begins with her early life, especially the genesis of her ‘secular theism’ and the influence of her teacher Alain (Emile Chartier) on the development of her philosophy. He then turns to her political-social activism, including her factory work, her views of war, and relationship with communism. The influence of early Greek thought is considered, especially in relation to her ‘syncretist secularism’. He follows this discussion with a presentation of Weil's views on the roots of totalitarianism. Weil’s complex relationship with the Christian religion is next considered with Kennedy arguing Weil united the ‘secular and religious’ worlds in her life and thought.