Henri Bergson
Henri Bergson: A Philosopher of Time and Consciousness
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Henri Bergson was a French philosopher born on October 18, 1859, in Paris, France. He is often referred to as the father of modern consciousness studies.
Birth and Death Dates
October 18, 1859 - January 4, 1941
Nationality and Profession(s)
French Philosopher and Mathematician
Henri Bergson's work spanned multiple disciplines, including philosophy, mathematics, and literature. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century.
Early Life and Background
Bergson was born into a Jewish family in Paris. His parents were of Portuguese and Dutch descent. From an early age, Bergson demonstrated exceptional intellectual ability and curiosity about the world around him. He attended the Lycée Fontanes in Paris before moving to the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), where he studied philosophy under some of the most prominent thinkers of the time.
Bergson's fascination with mathematics and its relationship to philosophy led him to develop a unique approach to understanding human experience. He believed that traditional philosophical methods, which relied heavily on abstract reasoning and intellectual constructs, were inadequate for grasping the complexities of human consciousness.
Major Accomplishments
Henri Bergson made significant contributions to various fields, including:
Philosophy of Time: Bergson's concept of duration, or _duree_ in French, challenged traditional notions of time as a linear and quantifiable dimension. He argued that time is an essential aspect of human experience, encompassing both the past and future.
Consciousness Studies: Bergson's work on consciousness focused on the nature of subjective experience and the role of intuition in shaping our understanding of reality.
Philosophy of Matter: Bergson's concept of _elan vital_ (vital impetus) posited that life is an inherently creative and dynamic force, which cannot be reduced to mere physical or chemical processes.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Bergson's most notable works include:
Matter and Memory (1896): In this book, Bergson explored the relationship between mind and matter, arguing that memory is an essential aspect of human consciousness.
Time and Free Will (1889): This work introduced Bergson's concept of duration, which posits that time is a fluid and multifaceted dimension.
Creative Evolution (1907): In this influential book, Bergson developed his theory of _elan vital_, which posited that life is an inherently creative force.
Impact and Legacy
Henri Bergson's ideas have had a profound impact on various fields, including philosophy, psychology, literature, and art. His concept of duration has influenced thinkers such as Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre, while his work on consciousness has shaped the development of existentialism and phenomenology.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Henri Bergson's quotes are widely sought after due to their insight into human experience. His writings continue to inspire thinkers, artists, and writers across disciplines.
Quotes by Henri Bergson
Henri Bergson's insights on:
I cannot escape the objection that there is no state of mind, however simple, that does not change every moment.
Intuition is a method of feeling one’s way intellectually into the inner heart of a thing to locate what is unique and inexpressible in it.
The world that our senses and our consciousness habitually acquaint us with is now nothing more than the shadow of itself; and it is cold like death.
Matter and mind have this in common, that certain superficial agitations of matter are expressed in our minds, superficially, in the form of sensations; and on the other hand, the mind, in order to act upon the body, must descend little by little toward matter and become spatialized. It follows that the intelligence, although turned toward external things, can still be exerted on things internal, provided that it does not claim to plunge too deeply.
