Simone Weil | The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Ep. 251: Simone Weil’s Ideal Society

September 7, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer 4 Comments

On “Theoretical Picture of a Free Society” (1934). What’s the ideal living situation for us all, given the peculiarities of human nature? Weil describes fulfillment as coming from being able to picture goals and plans and knowingly put them into effect, so social groups need to maximize that power by being small and cooperative.

End song: “Libreville” by Bill Bruford, as interviewed for Nakedly Examined Music #25.

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Ep. 251: Simone Weil’s Ideal Society (Citizen Edition)

September 7, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

On “Theoretical Picture of a Free Society” (1934).

What’s the ideal living situation for us all, given the peculiarities of human nature? Weil describes fulfillment as coming from being able to picture goals and plans and knowingly put them into effect, so social groups need to maximize that power by being small and cooperative.

End song: “Libreville” by Bill Bruford, as interviewed for Nakedly Examined Music #25.

Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part Three)

August 31, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer 1 Comment

Concluding on “The Needs of the Soul” from The Need for Roots (1943). This time we cover punishment, security, risk, private property, collective property, freedom of opinion, and truth.

Start with part one or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition. Supporting PEL will also get you access to our PEL Nightcaps

End song: “Even Though the Darkest Clouds” by liar, flower. Mark interviewed KatieJane Garside on Nakedly Examined Music #127.

Sponsors: Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/PEL for a free trial of The Great Courses Plus Video Learning Service. Get up to a $100 donation matched at Givewell.org/PEL, selecting “podcast” and “Partially Examined Life” at checkout. Subscribe to the Burn Your Draft podcast Seth helped with!

Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part Two)

August 24, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer Leave a Comment

Continuing on “The Needs of the Soul” from The Need for Roots (1943). We got started in part one with our need for order, and in this part we add liberty, obedience, responsibility, equality, hierarchy, and honor.

We’ll conclude with part 3, covering freedom of speech, punishment and more, but you needn’t wait: Get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition now. and you’ll also get our Nightcap recordings.

Sponsor: Open a real estate portfolio at fundrise.com/PEL and get your first 90 days of advisory fees waived.

Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part One)

August 18, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer 7 Comments

On “The Needs of the Soul” from The Need for Roots (1943) and “Meditation on Obedience and Liberty” (1937).

What are our needs that should then drive what kind of society would be best for us? Weil says we need liberty yet obedience, equality yet hierarchy, security yet risk… and none of these words mean quite what you’d think. And to start off, why do the many obey the few?

Don’t wait for Part Two; get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition now. Please support PEL! Support for this discussion came from listener Charles, who dedicates it to Temple Grandin.

Sponsors: Get $35 off meal delivery at SunBasket.com/PEL, code PEL. Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/PEL for a free trial of The Great Courses Plus Video Learning Service. Get up to a $100 donation matched at Givewell.org/PEL, selecting “podcast” and “Partially Examined Life” at checkout.

Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Citizen Edition)

August 18, 2020 by Mark Linsenmayer 5 Comments

On “The Needs of the Soul” from The Need for Roots (1943) and “Meditation on Obedience and Liberty” (1937).

End song: “Even Though the Darkest Clouds” by liar, flower. Mark interviewed singer KatieJane Garside on Nakedly Examined Music #127.

Ep. 225: Simone Weil on War and Oppression (Part Two)

September 16, 2019 by Mark Linsenmayer 4 Comments

Continuing on Simone Weil’s essays “The Iliad, or the Poem of Force” (1939) and “Analysis of Oppression” (1934) with guest Corey Mohler.

We talk about the self-contradictions of power, why oppression and war are so intractable, and her positive solution (what there is of it here). Weil cuts through our left-right political dichotomy in a way that might interest you. Plus, why the Iliad is so great.

Start with part one or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition. Please support PEL!

End song: “Throw Down the Sword” from Wishbone Ash; hear Andy Powell on Nakedly Examined Music #51.

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Ep. 225: Simone Weil on War and Oppression (Part One)

September 9, 2019 by Mark Linsenmayer 5 Comments

On Simone Weil’s essays “The Iliad, or the Poem of Force” (1939) and “Analysis of Oppression” (1934).

How do circumstances oppress and dehumanize us? Weil describes the mechanisms that keep people at war and maintain oppression even through revolutions as inherent to the logic of power. With guest Corey Mohler.

Don’t wait for part two; get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition now. Please support PEL!