[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)