# Simone Weil See: [[Philosophy]], [[Mysticism]], [[Christianism]], [[Social Justice]] Biography of Simone Weil: > [!ai]+ AI > > Simone Weil was a French philosopher, political activist, and mystic. She was born on February 3, 1909, in Paris, France. Weil grew up in a secular Jewish family and received an excellent education from an early age. > Weil's intellectual curiosity and passion for justice led her to study philosophy at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. During her time there, she became involved in political activism and joined various left-wing organizations. She also developed a deep interest in Marxism and socialism. > In the 1930s, Weil traveled to Germany to work as a factory laborer and witness firsthand the conditions of the working class. This experience profoundly influenced her political beliefs and led her to question the foundations of Marxist ideology. ^– this is actually wrong. She was a factory worker in France. > [!ai]+ AI > > Weil's philosophical works explored themes such as human suffering, alienation, and the nature of power. She criticized both capitalism and communism for their dehumanizing effects on individuals. Weil also examined the relationship between religion and politics, advocating for a more spiritual approach to social change. > Despite her admiration for Marxism, Weil became increasingly critical of its materialistic worldview. She rejected atheism and embraced Christian mysticism. Weil's religious conversion greatly influenced her subsequent writings and activism. > Weil actively participated in various political movements during her lifetime. She fought for workers' rights, supported anti-colonial struggles, and advocated for social justice. Weil's commitment to social change often led her to engage in acts of civil disobedience. > Throughout her life, Weil struggled with physical ailments that affected her health. Despite these challenges, she continued writing prolifically on a wide range of topics until her premature death at the age of 34 in 1943. > Simone Weil is remembered as a brilliant thinker who challenged conventional wisdom and sought to bridge divides between different ideologies. Her writings continue to inspire scholars across various disciplines today. ## Books - [[BOOK - The Need for Roots - Simone Weil|BOOK - L'enracinement - Simone Weil]] - [[BOOK - The Need for Roots - Simone Weil]] - [[BOOK - Oppression and Liberty - Simone Weil]] ## Notes - [[RWISE - 2023-07-16 - La Pesanteur Et La Grâce]] - [[RWISE - 2023-07-13 - Simone Weil’s Great Awakening]] - [[RWISE - 2023-07-14 - Simone Weil’s Great Awakening]] ## Links - [[2023-07-14#Simone Weil on Hacker news]] ## Podcasts - [Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part One) | The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast | A Philosophy Podcast and Blog](https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/08/18/ep250-1-weil-needs/) - [Simone Weil, philosophe sur tous les fronts : un podcast à écouter en ligne | France Culture](https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/serie-simone-weil-philosophe-sur-tous-les-fronts) - [Avoir raison avec... Simone Weil : un podcast à écouter en ligne | France Culture](https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/serie-avoir-raison-avec-simone-weil) - [[Sean Illing]] - 2023-06-01 - Simone Weil > TITLE: Simone Weil’s radical philosophy of love and attention > SUBTITLE: How 20th-century philosopher Simone Weil built a legacy of caring for others. > DESCRIPTION: > [[Sean Illing]] speaks with history professor Robert Zaretsky about Simone Weil, a 20th-century French writer and activist who dedicated her life to a radical philosophy of love and attention. They discuss how she inspired her contemporaries — like Albert Camus and Simone de Beauvoir — and how her revolutionary ideas have remained relevant and important.