Pauchant, Thierry (2000)
For A Spiritual Ethics of Work: Some Inspiration from Simone Weil, in T.C. Pauchant and Associates, Ethics and spirituality at work. Under revision in the U.S.
In this chapter, I present some of the views of the philosopher Simone Weil (1909-1943) on the need to base our civilization on a spiritual ethics of work.
First, he gives an introduction to her life and work. Although having a significant influence in many milieus, Simone Weil is practically unknown in the field of administration - be it in business administration schools or in business itself. I will also suggest several reasons why the work of Simone Weil is fundamental when developing a spiritual ethics for work. Then he explains how she proposed a view of work that is both existentialist and spiritual, as for her the activity of work was the point of concordance between "thought" and "action" on the one side, and "gravity" and "grace" on the other.
Finally he propose ten suggestions given by Simone Weil to develop this spiritual ethics of work. These suggestions include the following needs: to limit the race for world domination; to rediscover the notion of limit; to see our business institutions as instruments of production and destruction as well; to go beyond purely economic considerations; to secure and democratize work; to favor concordance between thought and action; to root thought in the person; to reinvent politics; to develop a new adventure of the scientific spirit and to encourage the ability of subtle mindfulness.
In conclusion, he stresses that the rediscovery of the works of Simone Weil - as well as those of authors such as Chester I Barnard, Abraham Maslow, Marie Parker Follet or E. F. Schumacher - is indispensable for developing a spiritual ethics of work in management, in our organizations and our societies. In his view, the profound meeting with a person who perceives the world and behaves in it from the transpersonal level of consciousness (see the introductory chapter) is one of the most powerful strategies for accomplishing the goals of the FIMES.
To define the paths and the practical tools that will spiritualize work,
the current management and economic system will take time and will need
the contribution of numerous people. These tasks are the very mission
of the FIMES as suggested in the introductory chapter of this book (see
the "mission" section). In his
opinion, Simone Weil's philosophy is one of the voices that must be heard
concerning this or, better, one of the voices for which one must exert
an "effort of mindfulness", the notions of "effort"
and of "mindfulness" being quite cherished by her.
