"Simone Weil is one of the most profound thinkers of the twentieth century. Her writings encompass an extraordinary breadth of subjects, including philosophy, religion, sociology, and politics. A political activist and resistance fighter, her accomplishments are even more astonishing in light of her death in 1943 at the age of thirty-four. Whilst Weil was concerned with deep philosophical questions - the nature of human thought and human faculties, the limits of language, and thoughts contact with reality through mediation, science and beauty - the full significance of her work has frequently been obscured by her categorization as a purely religious writer or Christian mystic. Simone Weil: Basic Writings is an expertly edited anthology of her most important writings, presenting Weils philosophy as it relates to politics, the nature of work, human nature in its duality, necessity, beauty and goodness. D. K. Levy and Marina Barabas have translated all the extracts anew, including translations of important notes and references missing from existing English language editions of Weils work.

Following an extensive introduction by D. K. Levy which places Weils life and thought in context, each section opens with a short introduction situating the chosen passages within Weils oeuvre. Simone Weil: Basic Writings is an outstanding starting point for anyone seeking an introduction to Weils philosophy, and also essential reading for students and scholars of Weils thought in related disciplines"--.