The Literary Afterlives of Simone Weil with Dr. Cynthia Wallace (Chasing Leviathan)

[@jpan7071]

Annie Dillard. Now, thanks to you and the professor, I’m interested in poetry. I just listened to Mary Oliver recite one of her poems. I’m writing with tears in my eyes. Your podcast opened my eyes to a world I knew existed, but had not experienced. Not really. Or maybe I’m just getting old…and sentimental. I hope you’re having a great weekend. And thank you.

[@ChasingLeviathan]

@@jpan7071 That's wonderful to hear. I think poetry is always welcome, whether discovered old or young.

[@jpan7071]

I just added Hannah Arendt to the list of philosophers/political theorists I must read. I think I’ll start with her Very Short Introduction. She was contemporary adjacent to Simone Weil, right? There are actual video interviews here on KZbin of Arendt.

[@ChasingLeviathan]

They were contemporaries. I like Hannah Arendt quite a bit. I think you will find her valuable to read.

[@jpan7071]

You interview so many interesting authors on topics I’d never really considered into delving. Liked and subscribed.

[@ChasingLeviathan]

Thank you! I'm really working on trying to be interdisciplinary.

[@jpan7071]

So, I accept the invitation to “pay attention” by doing something I’ve never ever contemplated (because I was not aware of its existence)- I’ll read an Annie Dillard book. Or two. Or three. And as I read, pay attention to all the guest mentioned (beauty, violence, suffering, etc) and try to make those connections to Simone Weil. I’m currently reading Simone Weil a Short Introduction (the kindle version of the copy she held up for us to see). It’s a wonderful, and indeed, short (but very dense) book. I’ll read it a second time. Take notes. Really pay attention. And then next I’ll read something by Flannery O’Connor. Same thing-never read anything. But I hope that will be remedied soon. What a great segment.Truly.congrats.

[@ChasingLeviathan]

@@jpan7071 Congrats to you! I think that's a wonderful thing to do.

[@jpan7071]

Please do me a favor, if you can. Pass along my eternal gratitude to the good doctor for introducing me to Annie Dillard. Her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is a masterpiece. There is an audio version just released in August 2024 that I can use daily to meditate. I can already see the connections between Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and Saint Simone Weil. The timing could not be more perfect. I live in an area where migration of birds and butterflies is simply a marvel to behold at this time of the year. And thank you, as well. I can tell you simply love doing what you do. I’ll watch and listen to the rest of your segments. So many intriguing ones. May I make a suggestion? I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of Father Richard Rohr. He’s a lecturer and author of multiple best selling books. He’s considered a borderline heretic in some circles. Not by me. I simply adore him. Maybe he could be your next guest?

[@ChasingLeviathan]

@@jpan7071 I'll do my best on both fronts. 👍

[@jpan7071]

I also want to look into Emanuel Kant, but I’m afraid my brain will explode trying to understand him. Any guidance there? Any books. Videos? Articles? I know this- every time I watch any videos or read anything on contemporary philosophy, Kant’s name keeps popping up. He seems to be hugely influential.

[@ChasingLeviathan]

He IS hugely influential. I personally think you're in luck. For me, one of the most helpful books on Kant was Hannah Arendt's Lectures on Kant's Political Philosophy. It's 180 pages and relatively digestible. You can find it on Amazon.

[@jpan7071]

@@ChasingLeviathanthank you so much. I’d heard of Kant. I’m just completely clueless. Soon to be remedied. So much reading and learning to be had. My brain will be sore. I gotta pace myself.

[@jpan7071]

There is a series here on KZbin by the Hannah Arendt Center on this very book. A series of seven sections of about one hour each. The stars are aligned. I’ll see if I can get a copy to follow along.