CFP: Brill’s Companion to Simone Weil’s Reception of Classical Antiquity

Project Overview

Despite the recent resurgence of interest in the philosophy of Simone Weil, there has been no determined effort to examine the full scope of her engagement with the Ancient Greek world. Weil is well known for her reading of Homer’s Iliad as a ‘poem of force’ (or might), and for her ‘unorthodox’ interpretations of Plato and Pythagorean thought. However, her dialogue with the Greek Antiquity extends far beyond these classical essays; Ancient Greek literature, philosophy, religion, and political thought play a significant role in her spiritual, sociological, philosophical, and political encounters. Hence, Antiquity is not merely one subject among many in Weil’s oeuvre, but a recurring and enduring concept through which she interprets the problem force, the issue of social justice, and develops other important concepts (such as affliction, freedom, truth, and the relationship between the human and the divine).

The ultimate objective of this volume is to offer a guide to the reception, interpretation, and conceptual application of classical Antiquity across Weil’s entire body of work. By framing Antiquity not merely as a subject of literary commentary, but as a vital lens through which Weil approached modern crises (such as violence, total war, uprootedness, labor, and affliction), this Companion will bridge Classical Reception, Continental Philosophy, and Political Theology.

Existing Scholarship

Studies Weil’s engagement with Iliad, Plato, Pythagoreanism (and so on)

Places Homer, Plato, Pythagorean philosophy (and so on) alongside her other ancient sources

Often focuses on one period, author, text, or theme

The proposed Companion

Synthesises the material by engaging with different classical authors (as approached by Weil)

Treats Greek Antiquity as one aspect of Weil's thought

Makes her relationship with Greek Antiquity the main organizing subject

Thematic Axes and Suggested Topics

We welcome contributions that explore both Weil’s specific textual/philosophical engagements and her broader thematic reliance on Antiquity. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:

●     Philosophical and Theological Reception: Weil’s engagement with Plato, Pythagoreanism, Stoicism, Presocratic thought, Thucydides, and the relationship between Greek literature and her Christian grace/transcendence.

●     Literary and Tragic Reception: Readings of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and the concept of tragic affliction (malheur).

●     Comparative Political Theology: Weil and Eastern Orthodox traditions; Weil and Islamic/Indian/Hebrew theological debates.

●     Political and Ethical Concepts: How Ancient models shaped her understanding of force, justice, labor, community, rootedness, and decree/necessity (nécessité).

●     Antiquity and Contemporary Debates: Weil’s deployment of Ancient concepts to diagnose 20th-century political crises: totalitarianism, colonialism, religious fundamentalism, technology and Artificial Intelligence, International Relations, debates on war and humanitarian interventions, realism and political liberalism.

●     Reception History: Weil’s place within 20th-century classical reception, comparing her approach with contemporaries (e.g., Leo Strauss, Hannah Arendt, Rachel Bespaloff).

Submission and Volume Guidelines

Submissions: Interested contributors are invited to send a brief idea and a summary of their biography to Michail Theodosiadis: [email protected] / [email protected].

Deadline for the Submission of Ideas: December 10, 2026

Acceptance notification: January 10, 2027

Final Chapter Length: 6,000–10,000 words (inclusive of notes and bibliography).

Expected Manuscript Submission: Late 2027 (to be confirmed upon contract approval)