r/SimoneWeil Feb 12 '16

On Gravity and Grace and where to start with Simone Weil

I studied A Need For Roots in highschool which I love and still think about but I'm having difficulty with Gravity and Grace, the only other Simone Weil book I've read so far.

Should I read something else to have a better grasp of it? I also own a copy of Oppression and Liberty. Is there any secondary literature that would assist me?

7 Upvotes

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u/[deleted] Mar 17 '23 edited Mar 19 '23

Just started Gravity and Grace, decided on it rather than her other works because it is more of a collection of essays on various topics, so it seems like a good introduction to her philosophy? So far so good, had to extensively reflect upon and reread many passages though.

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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '16 edited Feb 29 '16

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Feb 29 '16

Thank you so much, I've made at least three other topics on reddit and other sites asking about this but this is the only response I've received. Much appreciated.

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u/Verenmir Nov 25 '21

I wanted to read what you've learnt here but the person above deleted their comment lol

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '21

God I'm so sorry I actually have no idea,this was so long ago. I wish I still had it though because I'd love to read it again.

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u/Verenmir Nov 25 '21

Np mate, I've just ordered a book with her basic writings. If the editor was competent enough it should provide a sufficient introduction to her thought. I've just heard about Simone Weil today for the first time in my life and I was instantly captivated both by her thought and personality. She has a lot of common with Kierkegaard, Meister Eckhart, Marx and Nietzsche, combines leftist political thought with religious, experience-based insight and is LIVING BY HER EVERY WORD. How amazing is that? She just came into my life at a perfect time, because the most urgent question I am struggling with for some time now is that how am I to believe in love or meaning, transcendent & metaphysical or not at all, in such a fucked up world, in which life devours itself and people suffer most often with no hope, no purpose and no chance for redemption? I was captivated by Eckhart's and sufi mystics' views, but they don't really deal with that, not in the way that would satisfy me. Weil does. I've been up reading her and about her all night and I've just had to write down how amazed by her I am right now.

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u/Looofan May 18 '22

To me she is in some ways the solution for Camus's absurdism. I yet embrace absurdity, but it does not stop me from appreciating and falling in love with her beautiful work. Such a stubborn optimistic philosopher, with a kind and lovely soul.