フランスの哲学者で、神秘主義者、社会活動家のシモーヌ・ヴェイユ（1909-43年）は短い生涯の中で己と世界について思索を重ね、膨大な遺稿を残しました。その哲学が、読む人それぞれにその時々の深さで語りかけるように「生と死」「古代ギリシャ哲学からの影響」「労働と政治に対する考え」「宗教的インスピレーション」「倫理哲学」「美の必然性」「ヴェイユの思想が与えた影響」のテーマに分けて、わかりやすい解説を提供します。ヴェイユの思想の息吹と痛切さ、そして多岐に渡るトピックは、あらゆる意味で危機に直面している私たちに多くの示唆を与えてくれるでしょう。
  

• Provides a concise, accessible synopsis of Simone Weil's life and the major aspects of her philosophy
• Characterizes Weil's ethics as an 'ethics of attention' and situates it between Kantian and care ethics
• Demonstrates how Weil's philosophy is completely at odds with several prominent contemporary ideologies

   
This Very Short Introduction provides an overview of the intriguing and provocative life and ideas of twentieth century French philosopher, mystic, and social activist Simone Weil. Weil was not a typical, systematic philosopher. Despite her short life, Weil's philosophy has much to offer us in our times of personal, communal, political, and environmental crises, both in the breath and poignancy of her philosophy, and the topics it covers.
    
In keeping with Weil's spirit to consider and address laypeople, Rozelle-Stone takes readers, including those who have had little or no previous exposure to Weil or philosophy, on an accessible journey of Weil's major philosophical impacts. This exploration consists of seven chapters highlighting: her life and manner of death, both characterized by attention; the influence of ancient Greek ideas on her philosophy; her thoughts on labour and politics; her unique and ecumenical religious inspirations, stemming from Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism; her ethical philosophy centred on a specific notion of attentiveness; her understanding of beauty as connected to fragility but also eternity; and finally, her legacy and influence on contemporary writers and issues, particularly as she may help us navigate and critically assess the growing convergence between religious fervour, late capitalist and corporate values, and authoritarian politics.