Henri Bergson (1859–1941) was a French philosopher known for his influential ideas on time, consciousness, and creativity. His works challenged the prevailing mechanistic view of the universe and emphasized the importance of intuition and experience over rationalism.
In “Time and Free Will” (1889), he distinguished between “measurable time” (quantitative) and “lived time” (qualitative), introducing the concept of “duration” (durée) to describe how individuals experience time subjectively.
In “Creative Evolution” (1907), Bergson argued against Darwinian evolution’s purely mechanistic interpretation. He introduced the idea of an élan vital, a vital force driving evolution and creativity, emphasizing the spontaneity and unpredictability of life.
Bergson believed that traditional philosophical methods relied too heavily on intellect and abstract reasoning, which could miss the essence of life. He advocated for intuition as a means to grasp reality more fully. His ideas profoundly influenced various fields, including literature, psychology, and the arts. His thoughts on time and consciousness paved the way for existentialist and phenomenological philosophies.
Bergson received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927, recognizing his rich philosophical contributions. His work continues to inspire discussions on the nature of time, consciousness, and the dynamic quality of life.
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 