V. The Problem of Consciousness. Duration and Liberty.

In “A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson,” the author delves into Bergson’s revolutionary thoughts on consciousness, duration, and liberty. The essence of Bergson’s philosophy rests on the critique of the conventional understanding of time and consciousness. He argues against the quantification of psychological processes, emphasizing instead the qualitative and continuous nature of consciousness. Bergson criticizes the mechanical psychology of associationism, typified by thinkers like Taine and Stuart Mill, for its failure to capture the dynamic and indivisible character of the mind. He introduces the concept of duration as a fundamental element of consciousness, distinct from the spatial and numerical conceptions of time.

Bergson’s examination of the inner life suggests that our mental states are not merely juxtaposed but penetrate and influence each other, reflecting our unique personalities. This leads to a conception of duration as a melodic stream of consciousness, where each moment is enriched by the previous and anticipates the next, incompatible with numerical division. Through introspection, Bergson illustrates how consciousness experiences duration, presenting it as a qualitative rather than quantitative phenomenon.

Furthermore, Bergson explores the concept of liberty, distinguishing it from both deterministic and traditional free-will perspectives. He posits freedom as an inherent quality of duration, where true acts of will represent a synthesis of thoughts and feelings, a creative evolution beyond mere spontaneity. This conception of liberty challenges the notion of determinism by emphasizing the indivisible and organic nature of mental life, which cannot be accurately depicted through the mechanistic view of matter.

The relation between mind and body is another focal point of Bergson’s philosophy, where he refutes the psycho-physiological parallelism. Bergson argues that our past experiences are preserved within us, constituting our duration and shaping our consciousness. He introduces the innovative idea that memory operates on multiple levels, from pure recollection to actions influenced by past experiences, with the brain playing a crucial role in selecting and simplifying these memories for present use.

“A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson” presents a comprehensive overview of Bergson’s philosophical investigations into the nature of consciousness, time, freedom, and the interplay between the mind and body. Through critical analysis and introspection, Bergson challenges established notions and offers a nuanced understanding of the human experience, emphasizing the fluidity of consciousness and the liberty inherent in duration.