Simone Weil’s Philosophy of History
Published In
Journal of the Philosophy of History
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2017
Abstract
The philosophical and religious ideas of Simone Weil bear on theory of history and historiography in ways not previously explored. They amount to a view of history as a consequence of the original creation, but they also generally exclude theodicy. By examining these ideas we see some of the ways in which to develop a theory history centered on a conception of moral understanding that is impartialist and universal. For Weil such understanding is both inside of and outside of history. This leads to an approach to human history that centers on the moral dilemmas and choices of historical actors and that matches the force of compassion with that of power. Under an approach inspired by Weil’s ideas, the historian’s work of understanding can be an experience of moral growth.
DOI
10.1163/18722636-12341367
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/32427
Citation Details
Gilbert, B. (2017). Simone Weil’s Philosophy of History.