The Notebooks of Simone Weil

by Simone Weil

Simone Weil (1909-1943) was a defining figure of the twentieth century; a philosopher, Christian, resistance fighter, anarchist, feminist, Labour activist and teacher. She was described by T. S. Eliot as 'a woman of genius, of a kind of genius akin to that of the saints', and by Albert Camus as 'the only great spirit of our time'. Originally published posthumously in two volumes, these newly reissued notebooks, are among the very few unedited personal writings of Weil's that still survive today. Containing her thoughts on art, love, science, God and the meaning of life, they give context and meaning to Weil's famous works, revealing an unique philosophy in development and offering a rare private glimpse of her singular personality.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Theology, Biography, Politics

654 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Simone Weil was a French philosopher, Christian mystic, and social activist. Weil was born in Paris to Alsatian agnostic Jewish parents who fled the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany. Her brilliance, ascetic lifestyle, introversion, and eccentricity limited her ability to mix with others, but not to teach and participate in political movements of her time. She wrote extensively with both insight and breadth about political movements of which she was a part and later about spiritual mysticism. Weil biographer Gabriella Fiori writes that Weil was "a moral genius in the orbit of ethics, a genius of immense revolutionary range".

Reviews

[Wanyoung Kim-Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Bataille, Kierkegaard, Blanchot, and others in the a/theist canon, Weil is the greatest because she surpasses the dichotomy with the most concrete passion. Often, as a woman philosopher or theologian you sacrifice your originality, your guts in conformity to academic standards, but her originality burns. It burns up your head and makes your own heart bleed. The last time I was so stirred to enthusiasm about life was picking up Kierkegaard's journals when I was 18. However, there is something more existentially grounding in Weil's passion directed to the problem of political evil that goes beyond mere salvation. If you are saved, why not starve yourself for the poor and engage yourself more vividly in existence than in writing. Weil not only helps me feel living in the death of God is viable, she encourages me that doing so as a woman is. She encourages me more than any other woman figure, living or dead, has ever done.

[Lucía Martín · Rating 5 out of 5]

Llevo dos años involucrada con los textos de Simone Weil, y le pongo fin a esta primera pasada de su obra completa con los Cahiers. Siguiendo la idea de atención que atraviesa todo su ideario, me reafirmo en que lo único que podemos dedicar es tiempo y contemplación. Tengo la pretensión de seguir vinculada a sus textos, remitirme a los originales en francés, y no dejar de pensarla, pero de cierta manera terminar esta obra significa terminar de descubrirla.

Una obra absolutamente compleja de leer, que lleva al límite la negación de las nociones del sentido común, y que se constituye en los márgenes de lo que entendemos por hacer-filosofía. Lo único que me alegra de que Weil este negada en la Academia es la coherencia de leerla desde fuera.

Los Cahiers solo reafirman lo lucida que era esta mujer. No digo más porque hay cosas de las que no se puede hablar a la ligera (no tengo más caracteres, si quieren saber invítenme a un café).

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 4 notebooks collect Simone Weil most mature reflections throughout religions and western vs. eaastern philosophies. It is a difficult reading actually, but enlightening in all respects. I have read them all in the Italian edition to help me to go through their often very complex content, and considering the original were written in French I think it was the right choice. I still use them each time I approach a sociology of religion / comparative philosophy writing as they're inexhaustible sources of reflection. Not an easy reading, but a must if you wish to start a journey throughout the history (and essence) of main religions from the Greek myths, Judaism, proto-Christianity up to Catholicism.

[Rita]

reading might not be accurate--browsing, carrying around with me

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this woman more than life

[maria ୨୧]

the bible, chapter 2

[Aaron Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Complete permanency and extreme fragility alike give the feeling of eternity.



On reaching a certain degree of pain we lose the world. But afterwards comes peace, when we find it again. And if the paroxysm returns, so does also the peace which follows it.
If we realize this, that very degree of pain turns into an expectation of peace, and as a result does not break our contact with the world.
This contact is joy.



Rhythm. In every mode of life there is a rhythm to be loved.
Every life, however artificial it may be, is bound up with the daily revolution of the heavens and with the seasons, otherwise we should die. Through this rhythm, we remain linked with the sun and the stars. We must feel them through the medium of this rhythm, as though through the stick of a blind man.



We do not choose our sensations. But we do choose (subject to an apprenticeship) what we feel through their medium.

[Stephen Batty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The source of everything Simone Weil, most of the books are compiled from this amazing document. Brings out the immense scope of her thinking and achievement in such a short life. A treasured reference for me.

[meta]

k morm loggat random knjige ker slovenskih izdaj ni na goodreadsu 😡

[carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obtuse, esoteric, obscure, and fascinating. You will certainly gain a new insight into the mind of this brilliant woman.