IV. Critique of Language.

Henri Bergson, in “A New Philosophy,” presents a complex exploration of perception, matter, and the limitations of conventional thought and language. He delves into the nature of pure perception, which he argues is not merely a subjective experience but rather a direct interaction with reality itself. Bergson suggests that our ordinary perception, limited by our need for practical efficiency, obscures the full depth of reality by favoring a fragmented, simplified view over comprehensive understanding.

Bergson critiques language and conceptual thought as tools that, while necessary for communication and analysis, ultimately distort the true nature of reality by imposing artificial divisions and static categories onto dynamic processes. He introduces the concept of dynamic schemes, which are more about motion and development than static representation. These schemes attempt to capture the essence of creative thought, moving beyond the boundaries of conventional language and analysis to approach a more authentic intuition of reality.

The chapter examines the limitations of analytical thought, which tends to dissect and reassemble reality in a way that misses its intrinsic continuity and flux. Bergson argues for a mode of thinking that embraces the inherent dynamism and complexity of life, rather than reducing it to manageable, but ultimately reductive, conceptual snapshots.

Through a critique of language, Bergson shows how words and concepts, while useful, often encapsulate reality in static forms, hindering our ability to grasp the continuous, evolving nature of things. He proposes that a more genuine understanding requires moving from static concepts to a dynamic engagement with reality, which he likens to navigating through successive planes of thought from the superficiality of linguistic expression to the depths of intuitive insight.

The chapter emphasizes the need to transcend the simplifications inherent in language and conceptual thinking to engage with the dynamic, complex reality directly. Bergson advocates for an effortful, intuitive approach that seeks to apprehend the continuous change and complexity of life, rather than settling for the artificial clarity and simplicity of static thought and language. This approach, he suggests, allows for a deeper, more authentic engagement with the world, moving beyond the limitations of conventional perception and understanding to touch the underlying reality of things.