Rootedness in Self and Society

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.”

Discussion led by: Ben Choy
Ben studied at the University of Bath (Economics BSc. with Hons) before moving to London to work for several years within management consulting. His deepest interests however, have always lied within the social implications of this work and the ‘psy’ sciences, seeking to explore how we can understand ourselves and our societal structures in more detail, to create a better world that we all deserve. He has a Psychology MSc. (Conversion) from the University of Exeter, briefly undertaking stints in public health intelligence within local government and then as a psychotherapy assistant, before returning to work as a project administrator on an interdisciplinary public health grant at the University of Bath.

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 – Spiritual Democracy by Steven Herrmann
11 January – 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