Economics in Search of a Soul

We as humans are in constant tension within ourselves and with our surroundings. This upcoming session explores Simone Weil’s avenues to a more connected and rooted life and society. Join us to discuss how we spend our day, how we interact with each other, and how the concept of rootedness may guide us on our path.

Preparatory reading:
The Need for Roots by Simone Weil. “Hailed by Andre Gide as the patron saint of all outsiders, Simone Weil’s short life was ample testimony to her beliefs. In 1942 she fled France along with her family, going firstly to America. She then moved back to London in order to work with de Gaulle. Published posthumously The Need for Roots was a direct result of this collaboration. Its purpose was to help rebuild France after the war. In this, her most famous book, Weil reflects on the importance of religious and political social structures in the life of the individual. She wrote that one of the basic obligations we have as human beings is to not let another suffer from hunger. Equally as important, however, is our duty towards our community: we may have declared various human rights, but we have overlooked the obligations and this has left us self-righteous and rootless. She could easily have been issuing a direct warning to us today, the citizens of Century 21.” Watch last time’s discussion on Part 1 here.

Part of the series: Economics in Search of a Soul
In monthly zoom discussions, this series has explored several works by Carl Jung, Goethe’s Faust, and Steven Herrmann’s Spiritual Democracy, among others. New members are welcome to join at any time, and are invited to pitch books that may be of interest to the group. Register to receive the zoom link.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS

7 December 2024 – Spiritual Democracy by Steven Herrmann
11 January 2024 – Individuation in Fairy Tales by Marie-Louise von Franz
8 February 2024 – Individuation in Fairy Tales by Marie-Louise von Franz
4 April 2024 – First half of Part 1 of Goethe’s Faust
8 May 2024 – Second half of Part 1 of Goethe’s Faust
14 August 2024 – Introduction to Simone Weil
12 September 2024 – Simone Weil’s The Need for Roots – Part 1 (Recording here)