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Religiopolitical and ethical reflection of violence in the works of Simone Weil.

The works of the French philosopher and mystic Simone Weil (1909–1943) originated not only in a time that was deeply shaped by war and violence but opened also an important approach towards these themes. In regard to violence she reflected on Homer’s “Iliad”, the New Testament and the Bhagavad Gita. In the seminar we will discuss Weil’s relevant texts and compare Weil’s insights with Girard’s mimetic theory.

Discussion of different texts and student presentations.

Seminar paper.

M. Cabaud Meaney, Simone Weil and René Girard: Violence and the Sacred. In: The American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly 84/3 (2010) 565–587.
M. Cacciari, Gewalt und Harmonie. Geo-Philosophie Europas. München 1995.
J. E. Doering, Simone Weil and the Specter of Self-Perpetuating Force. Notre Dame, Ind. 2010.
W. Palaver, Simone Weil (1909–1943). In: H. Reinalter und A. Oberprantacher (Hrsg.): Außenseiter der Philosophie. Würzburg 2012, 405–422.
S. Weil, Krieg und Gewalt. Essays und Aufzeichnungen. Übersetzt von T. Laugstien. Zürich 2011.

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