The Christian Materialism of Simone Weil
Publication Type |
Book Chapter |
Year of Publication |
2004 |
Author |
|
Editor |
Doering, E. Jane Springsted, Eric O. |
Book |
The Christian Platonism of Simone Weil |
Pages |
77-93 |
Publisher |
University of Notre Dame Press |
Place Published |
Notre Dame, Indiana |
Language |
English |
Chapter |
5 |
Keywords |
|
Annotation |
The authors of this essay argue Weil’s conversion to Christianity compelled her to reject Plato’s dualism while embracing the particular and material aspects of his thought. They begin by looking at Weil’s concepts of necessity and the good noting how they played out in what they call an ‘authentic mysticism’. They next turn to an exploration of three aspects of Weil's Platonism: “sacramental ontology”, “affirmative epistemology” and a “politics of engagement with the world”. These three notions, they argue, counter the view of Plato’s thought as a dualism that separates the material from the spiritual. After exploring these ideas in some depth, they conclude the essay with a passionate defense of the ‘nondualist’ nature of Weil’s thought going on raise two general questions about Weil’s understanding and use of Plato. |