The Limits and Significance of Simone Weil’s Platonism
Publication Type |
Book Chapter |
Year of Publication |
2004 |
Author |
|
Editor |
Doering, E. Jane Springsted, Eric O. |
Book |
The Christian Platonism of Simone Weil |
Pages |
23-41 |
Publisher |
University of Notre Dame Press |
Place Published |
Notre Dame |
Language |
English |
Chapter |
2 |
Keywords |
|
Annotation |
Narcy attempts to place Weil’s understanding of Platonism within the larger ‘field of ideas’, which may have formed it. He begins by arguing as much as Plato’s thought, at times permeated her work, Weil cannot be described as a Platonist. Beyond that, he continues, although deviating from this somewhat in her later years, overall her teacher Alain who saw Plato through a ‘Kantian’ lens, something which shaped her view of his thought. In the end, Narcy says, Weil sees Plato as an heir of earlier Greek religious thought and not just the philosophical tradition. This view, which Narcy maintains, runs counter to that of many of the early Christian fathers, reflects Weil’s universalist position; her belief that any one in any time or place can access truth if that is his or her sincere desire. |