Simone Weil : The Impossible

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Year of Publication

2004

Author

Tracy, David

Editor

Doering, E. Jane Springsted, Eric O.

Book

The Christian Platonism of Simone Weil

Pages

229-41

Publisher

University of Notre Dame Press

Place Published

Notre Dame, Indiana

Language

English

Chapter

12

Keywords

Christianity
Judaism
antisemitism
justice
liberation theology
mysticism
Plato

Annotation

Tracy begins his essay by asking if there is a unity in Simone Weil’s thought. He argues there is not, although he says, there are a number of important themes that run throughout it. Of particular interest to him, is what he labels her mystical-prophetic philosophy and theology, something he sees as precursor to modern liberation theology. Tracy goes on to give a balanced and insightful overview of Weil’s thought, acknowledging both its troublesome problems, such as her inaccurate and unfair treatment of the Jewish religious tradition, as well as its brilliance. Ultimately, he concludes, Weil’s life and work sought, represented and demanded the impossible.

Notes

Almost identical text published by Tracy as "Simone Weil and the Impossible: A Radical View of Religion and Culture." In Critical Spirit :Theology at the Crossroads of Faith and Culture: Essays in Honour of Gabriel Dalyedited by Andrew Pierce and Geraldine Smyth. Dublin: Columbia Press, 2003. 208-22. Published in French as: "Simone Weil et l'impossible: une pensée radicale de la religion et de la culture." Trans. Florence de Lussy in Simone Weil. Sagesse Et Grâce Violente Ed. de Lussy, Florence. 2nd ed. Montrouge: Bayard, 2009. 273-95.