Ideas from 'Draft Statement of Human Obligations' by Simone Weil [1943], by Theme Structure

[found in 'An Anthology' by Weil,Simone [Penguin 1986,978-0-141-18819-5]].

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22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / a. Idealistic ethics
Every human yearns for an unattainable transcendent good
22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature
Where human needs are satisfied we find happiness, friendship and beauty
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / h. Respect
We cannot equally respect what is unequal, so equal respect needs a shared ground
23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 4. Boredom
Life needs risks to avoid sickly boredom
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship
We all need to partipate in public tasks, and take some initiative
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 3. Conservatism
We need both equality (to attend to human needs) and hierarchy (as a scale of responsibilities)
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 3. Free speech
Deliberate public lying should be punished
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 6. Political freedom
We have liberty in the space between nature and accepted authority
25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 4. Property rights
People need personal and collective property, and a social class lacking property is shameful
25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 3. Punishment / d. Reform of offenders
Crime should be punished, to bring the perpetrator freely back to morality
28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / c. God is the good
Attention to a transcendent reality motivates a duty to foster the good of humanity