Affliction

Affliction is a central theme in Simone Weil&s;s thought. This chapter aims to give an overview of Weil&s;s personal, theological and philosophical encounters with affliction and hopes to provide a plausible account of why she held consolation in affliction to be a bad thing. The first section traces Weil&s;s complex personal experiences of affliction. The second section is devoted to her thoughts on the ontology of affliction, i.e. what it consists of, and in virtue of what is it different from more ordinary suffering. Drawing on interpretations of Weil by theologian Dorothee Sölle, the third section looks at Weil&s;s reflections on the spiritual significance of affliction, while the fourth section turns to affliction&s;s ethical dimensions, i.e. how Weil thinks we should deal with our own afflictions and those of others.