Ep. 250: Simone Weil on Human Needs (Part One)

Written during Simone Weil's exile in London in 1943 for the Free French Resistance, 'The Need for Roots' diagnoses the social, cultural, and spiritual malaise of 20th-century civilization. Weil argues that 'uprootedness' is a widespread condition resulting from the destruction of ties with the past and the dissolution of community. She outlines the requirements for people to feel rooted again, emphasizing the importance of community, cultural and spiritual ties, and the recognition of the spiritual nature of work. The book is divided into three parts, discussing specific human needs, the concept of uprootedness, and the possibilities for inspiring a nation to regenerate and lead fulfilling lives.

The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events. The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris. The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war. The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.