The Philosophy of Simone Weil

[DENNYINMI]

I was introduced to this fascinating Jewish philosopher by way of Maria Radio, Roy Schoeman on Saturday, who is a Jew in the Catholic Church. Her young life was one of intellectualism, activism in a time of Nazi occupied France, and the traditional questioning of any young philosopher although one would not call her ‘traditional’ in any sense. She is quite a fascinating soul.

My question derives from a quote from Simone Weil, and with this quote I’d like to know your thoughts on this:

A science which does not bring us nearer to God is worthless. Ending quote here.

What are your thoughts on the meaning of this?

Thank you!

 

[Aloysium]

Science is a gift to humanity, whereby we observe the wonders of God’s work and share in His glory, through the charitable utilization of our discoveries, to help one another and tend to this garden earth, as we were intended to do.

 

[Wesrock]

It’s a good principle, but a vague statement. Someone might not find a particular science profitable. Maybe it’s too much about the natural world, has no impact on their lives or prayer, and it seems like a cold, distant thing. To another person that same science might be revealing more about God’s creation and fulling her with a sense of profound appreciation for the complexity and beauty of everything God has made.

 

[IWantGod]

A science which does not bring us nearer to God is worthless.

I don’t believe that this works if by that one means that it ought to be the functioning principle of science to reveal God. After all we don’t say that about technology.

But if you look at that quote in the context of war and Nazi Germany, perhaps it makes better sense if one is implying that a science which is used for evil, used for things that do not bring us closer to God, is worthless. And that much i agree with.

Anything that doesn’t bring us closer to the greater good is worthless.