There are many parallels between the thinkers Simone Weil and Ludwig Wittgenstein. They each lived in a tense relationship with religion, with both being estranged from their cultural Jewish ancestry, and both being tempted at various times by the teachings of Catholicism. They both underwent a profound and transformative mystical turn early into their careers. Both operated against the backdrop of escalating global conflict in the early 20th century. Both were concerned, amongst other things, with questions of culture, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, science, and necessity. And, perhaps most notably, they both sought to radically embody their ideas and physically ‘live’ their philosophies.
Yet despite this, there exists no systematic attempt in the literature to chart the connections, contrasts, and comparisons between these two profoundly influential thinkers. This anthology proposes to fill this gap in the literature, by collating a series of essays that track the relationship between the two, their thought, and any potential areas of meaningful overlap and communication between them. It is hoped that doing so may help cast a clarifying light over the work of two of the most enigmatic philosophers of the 20th century, as well as providing a rich resource for approaching the issues discussed by both thinkers from a fresh perspective.
This anthology is accepting abstracts on any of the topics mentioned above, and any further topics that may be of philosophical, ethical, or theological interest. Abstracts should be 500 words, and should be sent with a 50 word biography to , under the topic ‘Wittgenstein and Weil’. Deadline for abstract submission is June 30th 2021.
