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What would deep societal renewal look like
She was asked by Charles de Gaulle’s Free France movement to write a vision for a truly just French society after Nazism was defeated, the occupation of France ended. Simone responded with The Need for Roots, which in its rich philosophical and spiritual depth somewhat confused those who had requested it.
Equality is a vital need of the human soul. It consists in a recognition, at once public, general, effective, and genuinely expressed in institutions and customs, that the same amount of respect and consideration is due to every human being because this respect is due to the human being as such and is not a matter of degree.
She argued that the act of acknowledging true equality was as vital for the soul of the giver as for the receiver. On the north star for those seeking a truly just society, Weil noted:
It is untrue that there is no connection between perfect beauty, perfect truth, perfect justice: they are far more than just connected: they form a single mysterious unity… There exists a focal point of greatness where the genius creating beauty, the genius revealing truth, heroism and holiness are indistinguishable.
With her life, Weil demonstrated the personal commitment that such ideas require; a deep and manifest solidarity founded in a credible love.
Your entry has inspired me to read Weil’s The Need for Roots. Thank you. :)