Simone Weil’s Critique of the Zeitgeist
Publication Type |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication |
2003 |
Author |
|
Journal |
Faith and Reason |
Volume |
28 |
Pages |
319-42 |
Language |
English |
Keywords |
|
Annotation |
Drawing on “Simone Weil’s critique of the zeitgeist”, Cabaud-Meaney argues that “ideology is a result of the refusal of the Zeitgeist” (p. 319). She begins by presenting some biographical background on Weil, focusing on her ‘religious experience’ and criticism of the ideology of her day. She then considers Weil’s writing on Nazism and communism, particularly Marxism. She next turns to Weil’s interpretation of Sophocles ‘Antigone’, seeing in it an expression of Weil’s critique of ideology. Cabuad -Meany goes on to address Weil’s claim that the supernatural is the best way to counteract or fight ideology. She concludes by briefly looking at the link between barbarism and ideology as expressed in some of Weil’s writing. Finally, she applies Weil’s views to a number of contemporary moral issues of particular concern to the modern Roman Catholic church, suggesting Weil’s writings provide a critique of what she refers to as the ‘contemporary culture of death’. |