Simone Weil for the Twenty-First Century

This in-depth study examines the social, religious, and philosophical thought of Simone Weil. Simone Weil for the Twenty-First Century presents a comprehensive analysis of Weil's interdisciplinary thought, focusing especially on the depth of its challenge to contemporary philosophical and religious studies. In a world where little is seen to have real meaning, Eric O. Springsted presents a critique of the unfocused nature of postmodern philosophy and argues that Weil's thought is more significant than ever in showing how the world in which we live is, in fact, a world of mysteries. Springsted brings into focus the challenges of Weil's original (and sometimes surprising) starting points, such as an Augustinian priority of goodness and love over being and intellect, and the importance of the Crucifixion. Springsted demonstrates how the mystical and spiritual aspects of Weil's writings influence her social thought. For Weil, social and political questions cannot be separated from the supernatural. For her, rather, the world has a sacramental quality, such that life in the world is always a matter of life in God--and life in God, necessarily a way of life in the world. Simone Weil for the Twenty-First Century is not simply a guide or introduction to Simone Weil. Rather, it is above all an argument for the importance of Weil's thought in the contemporary world, showing how she helps us to understand the nature of our belonging to God (sometimes in very strange and unexpected ways), the importance of attention and love as the root of both the love of God and neighbor, the importance of being rooted in culture (and culture's service to the soul in rooting it in the universe), and the need for human beings to understand themselves as communal beings, not as isolated thinkers or willers. It will be essential reading for scholars of Weil, and will also be of interest to philosophers and theologians.

Politics & Social Sciences

Springsted, Eric O.

Philosophy

University of Notre Dame Press

Product Description This in-depth study examines the social, religious, and philosophical thought of Simone Weil.Simone Weil for the Twenty-First Century presents a comprehensive analysis of Weil’s interdisciplinary thought, focusing especially on the depth of its challenge to contemporary philosophical and religious studies. In a world where little is seen to have real meaning, Eric O. Springsted presents a critique of the unfocused nature of postmodern philosophy and argues that Weil’s thought is more significant than ever in showing how the world in which we live is, in fact, a world of mysteries. Springsted brings into focus the challenges of Weil’s original (and sometimes surprising) starting points, such as an Augustinian priority of goodness and love over being and intellect, and the importance of the Crucifixion. Springsted demonstrates how the mystical and spiritual aspects of Weil’s writings influence her social thought. For Weil, social and political questions cannot be separated from the supernatural. For her, rather, the world has a sacramental quality, such that life in the world is always a matter of life in God―and life in God, necessarily a way of life in the world.Simone Weil for the Twenty-First Century is not simply a guide or introduction to Simone Weil. Rather, it is above all an argument for the importance of Weil’s thought in the contemporary world, showing how she helps us to understand the nature of our belonging to God (sometimes in very strange and unexpected ways), the importance of attention and love as the root of both the love of God and neighbor, the importance of being rooted in culture (and culture’s service to the soul in rooting it in the universe), and the need for human beings to understand themselves as communal beings, not as isolated thinkers or willers. It will be essential reading for scholars of Weil, and will also be of interest to philosophers and theologians. Review “This book is an original contribution to Weil studies and beyond because it seeks to apply Simone Weil’s thought to twenty-first century issues directly. It is most welcome and valuable for exactly that reason.” ―Vance G. Morgan, author of Weaving the World"In these finely crafted and richly illuminating essays, renowned Weil scholar Eric Springsted confirms the continuing relevance of Simone Weil’s work for an age in which serious thought about matters of value―ethical, political, religious, and aesthetic―is becoming increasingly rare. This long-awaited book should be essential reading for anyone interested in this extraordinary French thinker." ―Mario von der Ruhr, associate editor of Philosophical Investigations"Springsted explores [Simone Weil's] thought while bringing it into conversation with other philosophers. His discussion of her religious reflections is particularly valuable." ―The Irish Catholic“The book is a product of a lifetime of close and thoughtful engagement with Weil’s writings in which, to some extent, Weil’s thought and Springsted’s have become intertwined, such that it becomes hard to tease one out from the other. He is a guide with something to share not only with those new to Weil’s thought, but those who have explored her highways and byways on many occasions.” ―Philosophical Investigations About the Author Eric O. Springsted is the co-founder of the American Weil Society and served as its president for thirty-three years. After a career as a teacher, scholar, and pastor, he is retired and lives in Santa Fe, NM. He is the author and editor of a dozen previous books, including Simone Weil: Late Philosophical Writings (University of Notre Dame Press, 2015). Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. When I first encountered Simone Weil some forty plus years ago, the public and scholarly recognition and reception of her was very different than it is now. For one thing, there was not a lot of secondary literature on her. What there was chiefly cen

Philosophy for Understanding Theology has become the classic text for exploring the relationship between philosophy and Christian theology. This new edition adds chapters on postmodernism and questions of the self and the good to bring the book up to date with current scholarship. It introduces students to the influence that key philosophers and philosophical movements through the centuries have had on shaping Christian theology in both its understandings and forms of expression.

Philosophy for Understanding Theology, Second Edition

Allen, Diogenes

Westminster/John Knox Press

This book covers the main aspects of Simone Weil's thought, drawing on her life where it is relevant for understanding her ideas. It is the fruit of many years engagement with scholars and scholarship on Weil in America, France, and the United Kingdom. The philosophical bases of her social and political thought, of her analysis of the natural world, and of her spiritual journey, as found in Plato, Epictetus, and Kant are uncovered. The authors are especially concerned with controversial aspects of Weil's life and thought: they offer an additional dimension to her understanding of the supernatural; they correct Rowan Williams' misunderstanding of her account of preferential love; and argue against Thomas Nevin's attempt to marginalize her as another example of Jewish self-hatred. The book also presents and assesses the new evidence for Weil's baptism.

Spirit, Nature, and Community: Issues in the Thought of Simone Weil (Suny Series, Simone Weil Studies)

State Univ of New York Pr

While the question "Is faith reasonable?" has continually occupied philosophers and theologians, little attention has been paid to what faith itself is. The Act of Faith remedies this neglect by looking at what it means for a person of Christian faith to believe. Eric Springsted contrasts modern views of faith with the Christian tradition running from Augustine through Aquinas and Calvin. In reviewing such thinkers of faith as Locke and Hume. Springsted discovers that behind modern discussions of the reasonableness of faith lie key assumptions about the human self, including the views that the good is a matter of choice and that we can exercise objective, uninvolved reason. According to Springsted, however, the church has not viewed faith in this way. His survey of the Augustinian tradition shows that the self our most esteemed Christian thinkers had in mind when talking about faith was a "moral self," one defined by character and self-involvement. Christian faith is at root a participation in the good, and reasoning within faith is reasoning within the life of God. Drawing on contemporary philosophers and theologians like Hohn Henry Newman and Simone Weil, Springsted builds a fresh understanding of faith for today. He shows how the "inner act" of faith is ultimately a radical willingness to be open to God, and he argues that the faithful self is one that develops within a community that shapes its members through the morally formative activities of interaction, teaching and sacramental practice.

The Act of Faith: Christian Faith and the Moral Self

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Eerdmans Pub.Co.

Christus Mediator: Platonic Mediation in the Thought of Simone Weil (American Academy of Religion Academy Series)

UNKNO

Simone Weil is one of the few spiritual thinkers to give an adequate account for the place of suffering in our world. We traditionally view suffering as that which thwarts our most profound longings and happiness. Simone Weil insists that suffering is not a problem to overcome. Suffering, as it arises in the sacrifices of divine and human love is a fact of life, neither to be rejected nor invited, but also something that can shape human life by opening itself to the divine love. Here again is Springsted's comprehensive treatment of Simone Weil's religious insights, unique is her understanding of the scientific modern age without cynicism, meanwhile embracing much of traditional Christian spirituality without naivete. In her unusual approach that is new and yet draws on ancient thought, Weil supports a radical theology, insisting that the oppressed - with whom she identified - are not assisted by a transfer of power, but they must, like those in power, view suffering as a way of overcoming the human penchant for self-centeredness, and as a way of drawing closer to the world in love and as a whole. Co-founder of the American Weil Society in 1980, and its President since then, Eric O. Springsted is the author and editor of six books and numerous articles on Simone Weil, which have appeared in half a dozen languages. He is also author and editor of several other books in philosophy and theology. He has taught at Illinois College, Princeton Theological Seminary and General Theological Seminary, and has been a resident member of the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton several times.

Simone Weil and the Suffering of Love

Cowley Pubns

While the question Is faith reasonable? has continually occupied philosophers and theologians, little attention has been paid to what faith itself is. The Act of Faith remedies this neglect by looking at what it means for a person of Christian faith to believe. Eric Springsted contrasts modern views of faith with the Christian tradition running from Augustine through Aquinas and Calvin. In reviewing such thinkers as Locke and Hume, Springsted discovers that behind modern discussions of the reasonableness of faith lie key assumptions about the human self, including the views that the good is a matter of choice and that we can exercise objective, uninvolved reason. According to Springsted, however, the church has not viewed faith in this way. His survey of the Augustinian tradition shows that the self our most esteemed Christian thinkers had in mind when talking about faith was a "moral self" -one defined by character and self-involvement. Christian faith is at root a participation in the good, and reasoning within faith is reasoning within the life of God. Drawing on contemporary philosophers and theologians like John Henry Newman and Simone Weil, Springsted builds a fresh understanding of faith for today. He shows how the "inner act" of faith is ultimately a radical willingness to be open to God, and he argues that the faithful self is one that develops within a community that shapes its members through the morally formative activities of interaction, teaching, and sacramental practice.

Wipf and Stock

Simone Weil is one of the few spiritual thinkers to give an adequate account for the place of suffering in our world. We traditionally view suffering as that which thwarts our most profound longings and happiness. Simone Weil insists that suffering is not a problem to overcome. Suffering, as it arises in the sacrifices of divine and human love is a fact of life, neither to be rejected nor invited, but also something that can shape human life by opening itself to the divine love. Here again is Springsted's comprehensive treatment of Simone Weil's religious insights, unique is her understanding of the scientific modern age without cynicism, meanwhile embracing much of traditional Christian spirituality without naivet. In her unusual approach that is new and yet draws on ancient thought, Weil supports a radical theology, insisting that the oppressed - with whom she identified - are not assisted by a transfer of power, but they must, like those in power, view suffering as a way of overcoming the human penchant for self-centeredness, and as a way of drawing closer to the world in love and as a whole.

Simone Weil and The Suffering of Love

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Springsted, Eric O.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Springsted, Eric O.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Springsted, Eric O.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Simone Weil for the Twenty-First Century

Simone Weil for the Twenty-First Century

Philosophy for Understanding Theology, Second Edition

Spirit, Nature, and Community: Issues in the Thought of Simone Weil (Suny Series, Simone Weil Studies)

The Act of Faith: Christian Faith and the Moral Self

Christus Mediator: Platonic Mediation in the Thought of Simone Weil (American Academy of Religion Academy Series)

Simone Weil and the Suffering of Love

The Act of Faith: Christian Faith and the Moral Self

Simone Weil and The Suffering of Love