Hermitix On the Abolition of All Political Parties by Simone Weil, with Quinten Weeterings
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Dec 17, 2025 Quinten Weeterings, a history post-graduate and author, dives deep into Simone Weil's provocative essay on political parties. He explores Weil's radical critique, highlighting her view of parties as corruptive forces that stifle individual conscience and promote totalitarianism. The conversation touches on the paradox of abolishing parties while requiring organized action, and examines Weil's notion of politics infused with 'soul' and genuine community engagement. They also tackle the practical challenges of her radical ideas, questioning their feasibility in today's political landscape.
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Parties As A Moral Sickness
- Simone Weil frames political parties as a moral sickness that divert people from truth and justice.
- She roots her critique in Biblical and Platonic standards rather than modern bureaucratic defenses.
Three Defining Traits Of Parties
- Weil gives three defining traits of parties: they generate collective passions, pressure members' minds, and seek unlimited growth.
- She argues these traits turn parties into ends that use people as means.
Conformity Versus Individual Conscience
- Parties enforce conformity and suppress independent conscience through collective pressure.
- Quinten and Hermitix debate whether true independent thought can exist outside social conditioning.