ON THE QUESTION OF THE THING IN THE WORKS OF SIMONE WEIL

Abstract

This article examines selected aspects of Simone Weil’s philosophy, focusing specifically on the concept of the “thing”. The paper proposes to approach this issue in light of current global transformations, including worldwide instability, the gradual retreat from globalism, the crisis of western democracies and the rise of technological rationality as the dominant mode of thinking in the contemporary world. The technological domain has long been subject to critical scrutiny by european intellectuals, from Thomas More to contemporary scholars.Although Simone Weil is not positioned at the forefront of this tradition, she nonetheless treats the notion of the thing as a significant element in her philosophical investigations. Analysing of her work reveals that Weil's inquiries extend beyond themes such as the human experience of divine abandonment or the challenges of the christianity worldview. Her reflections also engage deeply with the relationship between the person and society, individuality and collectivity. The broader social relevance of Weil’s work prompts consideration of the cultural dimension under the conditions of today’s technological paradigm. The article identifies the process of dehumanization as intimately connected to the reification of the individual through the operation of force, which is implicitly embedded in structures of power. It further analyzes the role of the collective-individual dichotomy within Weil’s thought. The current cultural landscape is examined through the lens of subject – object, object – object and subject – subject relations, which have regained significance in the digital age. The impact of technology on the erosion of human values is underscored. Finally, the paper explores the role of Christian theology in Weil’s philosophical reflections on the thing, power and force, positioning them within the broader quest for harmony across cultural dimensions ‒ including Christian, ancient and Hindu heritages. The continuing relevance of Weil’s thought is considered in relation to the analysis of cyberspace as a new metaphysical domain of modernity.