[HN Gopher] The Decreationist: Simone Weil's thoughts on the unm...
___________________________________________________________________
The Decreationist: Simone Weil's thoughts on the unmaking of the
self
Author : Caiero
Score : 13 points
Date : 2023-08-27 03:47 UTC (19 hours ago)
(HTM) web link (theamericanscholar.org)
(TXT) w3m dump (theamericanscholar.org)
| jdkee wrote:
| Simone Weil's life and philosophy are a testament to the
| complexities of human existence, grappling with profound
| questions about meaning, sacrifice, and the nature of the self.
| Weil's concept of decreation, in which she suggests the need to
| diminish oneself to allow space for God or the divine, is both
| intriguing and unsettling. This seemingly radical notion
| challenges the very foundation of human existence and questions
| our understanding of self-worth and purpose.
|
| Your reflection on Weil is rich and comprehensive, drawing
| connections between her writings, her life, and interpretations
| by other thinkers like Costica Bradatan, Susan Sontag, and Iris
| Murdoch. These interpretations provide a multi-faceted lens to
| understand Weil, highlighting the profound impact she has had on
| philosophy, theology, and ethics.
|
| A few points that arise from your reflection:
|
| The Essence of Decreation: While decreation is steeped in
| religious imagery, the idea can also be understood in secular
| terms. When we let go of our ego, desires, and needs, we make
| space for a deeper understanding of the world around us and
| cultivate true compassion for others. The challenge lies in
| interpreting how far one should take this idea - should one
| entirely abandon the self, or is it more about achieving a
| balance?
|
| Ethical Attention: Both Weil and Murdoch emphasize the importance
| of attention in ethics. By truly seeing and understanding the
| world and others, we can foster genuine relationships built on
| empathy and selflessness. This form of 'unselfing' resonates with
| many contemporary mindfulness practices that encourage presence
| and self-awareness.
|
| Life as Martyrdom: Weil's dedication to her beliefs, to the point
| of self-starvation and her eventual death, serves as a stark
| reminder of the lengths to which one can take philosophical
| convictions. While her martyrdom is not something everyone would
| choose or endorse, it does challenge us to consider the depth of
| our commitments and the sacrifices we're willing to make for our
| beliefs.
|
| Weil as a Standard: As Murdoch notes, Weil serves as a standard--
| a beacon of deep thought, commitment, and passion. Though her
| ideas might not align with everyone's beliefs, her dedication to
| understanding and living her truth is commendable.
|
| In conclusion, Simone Weil's life and work serve as a powerful
| testament to the intricacies of human existence, forcing us to
| grapple with uncomfortable questions and challenging our
| fundamental beliefs. The anniversary of her death serves as an
| opportune moment to reflect on her contributions, understanding
| them in the context of our times, and drawing lessons that might
| guide our journey forward.
| kelseyfrog wrote:
| It seems as though the author is hinting at a spectrum of
| decreations from physical to mental. On one hand it suggests
| that, Weil equates the decreation of the self to be synonymous
| with physical decreation, while the author suggests that mental
| decreation to be an other valid interpretation.
|
| For those who are practitioners of neti neti meditation, what are
| your thoughts on the subject?
___________________________________________________________________
(page generated 2023-08-27 23:00 UTC)