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Attention: The Life and Legacy of Simone Weil
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2008

Beyond Power: Simone Weil and the Notion of Authority

Desmond Avery read

Beyond Power draws on the writings of Simone Weil (b. Paris, France, 1909, d. Ashford, UK, 1943) to construct a theory of authority that challenges conventional assumptions. Avery argues that neither science nor religion nor a political mandate can provide an adequate rationale for authority. Simone Weil’s electrifying insights, derived from her experience as a social activist, factory worker, and philosophy teacher, provide ways in which to think about the essential element of authority and take it into account more fully than usually seems possible. By focusing unflinchingly on what was sacred to herself and others in religion, politics, science, work, justice, and education, she achieved a kind of authority of her own. Avery devotes a chapter to each of these six subjects, as well as to an overview of the question of authority and a short account of Simone Weil’s life.

Beyond Power will be ideal for students and teachers of philosophy, politics, religion, and history, and the humanities. Those who admire the philosophy of Simone Weil will find a compelling overview of her work, while those interested in religious questions will find a fresh approach to thinking and talking about what makes human life meaningful. Avery offers new ways to examine the burning political, religious, and scientific issues of our time.

Lexington Books, 2008

Education Justice Philosophy Political Philosophy Political-Social Philosophy Religion Science Work   Recommend
October 2021

Inside Issue 3: New and Forthcoming

Ronald KL Collins read
Affliction Attention Commentaries Gravity & Grace Israel/Judaism Judaism Love Mathematics Morality Peter Winch Philosophy Spirituality The Need for Roots Weil & Other Thinkers Weil & Wittgenstein 6 Recommendations
December 2022

“Feeding on Light” — excerpts from new Simone Weil play by Lenora Champagne

Lenora Champagne read
Attention Force Grace Gravity Plays 1 Recommendation
December 2022

“An Argumentative Jew”: Leon Wieseltier contra Simone Weil

Palle Yourgrau read
Israel/Judaism Political Parties Political-Social Philosophy 2 Recommendations
August 2022

When Rights go Wrong 

Ronald KL Collins read
Obligation Political Parties Political-Social Philosophy Power of Words Rights 2 Recommendations
May 2022

News From Italy: Books, Articles & Events

Michela Dianetti read
Biographical Weil News in Italy 6 Recommendations
May 15, 2022

Two Philosophers Facing War

Carlos Hoevel read
Political-Social Philosophy War Weil & Other Thinkers 4 Recommendations
January 2022

The Impending Death of Democracy?

Editorial read
Collectivity Editorial Nihilism Political Political-Social Philosophy Power of Words 6 Recommendations
January 2022

Unfinished: On Venice Saved – a Q&A with Silvia Caprioglio Panizza and Philip Wilson

Silvia Caprioglio Panizza and Philip Wilson (interviewed by Ronald Collins) read
Beauty Drama Force Grace History Plays Rootedness Theatrical Venice Saved 6 Recommendations
October 4, 2021

The Paradox of Will and Grace: A Review of Simone Kotva’s Effort and Grace

Marie Cabaud Meaney read
Attention Grace Philosophy Spirituality Truth Weil & Other Thinkers 4 Recommendations
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Keywords

  • Abolition of Political Parties
  • About Weil
  • Affliction
  • Alain
  • Andre & Simone
  • Andre Weil
  • Anthology
  • Atheism
  • Attention
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  • Cahiers du Sud
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  • Cathars
  • Catholic Theology and Simone Weil
  • Christian Theology
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  • Collectivity
  • Colonialism
  • Commentaries
  • Conferences
  • Contemplative Prayer
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  • Death
  • Decreation
  • Documentaries & Short Clips
  • Drama
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  • educ
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  • Essays, Letters & Selections by Simone Weil
  • Ethics
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  • Force
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  • Rootedness
  • Rush Rhees
  • Science
  • Simone Deitz
  • Social-Political
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  • Suffering
  • Technology
  • The Iliad
  • The Need for Roots
  • The Person
  • Theatrical
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  • Transformation
  • Translating Weil
  • Truth
  • Uprootedness
  • Venice Saved
  • Violence
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