more on this theme
|
more from this thinker
Single Idea 23753
[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality
]
Full Idea
To the dimmed understanding of our age there seems nothing odd in claiming an equal share of privilege for everybody - an equal share in things whose essence is privilege.
Gist of Idea
People absurdly claim an equal share of things which are essentially privileged
Source
Simone Weil (Human Personality [1943], p.84)
Book Ref
Weil,Simone: 'An Anthology' [Penguin 1986], p.84
A Reaction
Not sure what she has in mind. Probably not the finest food and drink. I suppose she is attacking the modern egalitarian view of democratic society. What things have privilege as their 'essence'? Being a 'winner'? Interesting, though.
The
18 ideas
from 'Human Personality'
23747
|
What is sacred is not a person, but the whole physical human being
[Weil]
|
23748
|
The sacred in every human is their expectation of good rather than evil
[Weil]
|
23749
|
The problem of the collective is not suppression of persons, but persons erasing themselves
[Weil]
|
23750
|
It is not more money which the wretched members of society need
[Weil]
|
23751
|
Rights are asserted contentiously, and need the backing of force
[Weil]
|
23752
|
Giving centrality to rights stifles all impulses of charity
[Weil]
|
23753
|
People absurdly claim an equal share of things which are essentially privileged
[Weil]
|
23754
|
The only choice is between supernatural good, or evil
[Weil]
|
23755
|
Genius and love of truth are always accompanied by great humility
[Weil]
|
23756
|
The mind is imprisoned and limited by language, restricting our awareness of wider thoughts
[Weil]
|
23758
|
Beauty is an attractive mystery, leaving nothing to be desired
[Weil]
|
23757
|
The spirit of justice needs the full attention of truth, and that attention is love
[Weil]
|
23761
|
Justice (concerning harm) is distinct from rights (concerning inequality)
[Weil]
|
23760
|
All we need are the unity of justice, truth and beauty
[Weil]
|
23759
|
Everything which originates in love is beautiful
[Weil]
|
23762
|
Evil is transmitted by comforts and pleasures, but mostly by doing harm to people
[Weil]
|
23764
|
The only thing in society worse than crime is repressive justice
[Weil]
|
23763
|
Punishment aims at the good for men who don't desire it
[Weil]
|