Simone Weil’s Political Theory for Today: Politics and/or Mysticism?
Publication Type |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication |
1998 |
Author |
|
Journal |
Eglise et théologie |
Volume |
29 |
Number |
3 |
Pages |
339-354 |
Language |
English |
Keywords |
|
Annotation |
The article begins by questioning whether political action can eliminate oppression. To address this question, the author looks at what he claims are two distinct political theories in the work of Simone Weil. He calls the first, ‘early Weil’ and describes it as deterministic, with a completely negative view of collectivities. The second, ‘later Weil’ is, he says, a ‘modified deterministic mystical political view’, which showed some acceptance of particular kinds of collectivities. An understanding of the second, Beauchesne goes on to add, requires an understanding of Weil’s mysticism in which it is rooted. In particular, he notes, one must “extend Weil’s personal understanding of salvation into the political and social sphere”. Doing so, he concludes, holds out some hope for political action being effective in its response to oppression. |
url |
http://www.freewebs.com/beautiful-oak-tree/WEIL-POLITICAL%20THEORY.pdf |