The Impersonal and the Other: on Simone Weil (1907-43)
Publication Type |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication |
1999 |
Author |
|
Journal |
European Journal of Women's Studies |
Volume |
6 |
Number |
2 |
Pages |
183-200 |
Language |
English |
Publish Dates |
May |
Keywords |
attention |
Annotation |
Hermsen begins the article by noting and suggesting a few possible explanations for the way Weil’s work has been ignored by academic philosophy. The article goes on to suggest that Weil’s unique conceptualizing of the ethical relationship between the “I” and others opens up new ways of thinking and speaking about it. Hermesen begins by looking at Weil’s understanding of the divine and the divine’s relationship to humanity. She focuses on Weil’s notion of decreation, God’s withdrawal in creation, something symbolized for Weil by the cross whose bars represent the intersection of necessity and desire. Hermensen argues Weil’s interest in Christianity was centered in these notions of decreation, necessity and desire for the good and did not extend to dogmas of redemption, reconciliation and immortality. She goes on to look at the importance of Weil’s notion of attention for her ethical theology and philosophy. The notion of the Impersonal and the ‘other’ are the focus of the latter part of the essay noting that while Weil’s philosophy was fiercely individualistic, especially in its rejection of the collective, it still maintained the central importance of the ‘other’ as it was through our encounters with the other that we are pointed to the good. The author concludes her in-depth and comprehensive discussion of Weil’s work with a brief reflection on the importance of Weil’s notions of suffering and malheur (affliction) for her concept of social justice discussed in the article. |