II. Teaching.

It is drawn by the future rather than pushed by the past, achieving progress through both the accumulation of experiences and the intrinsic push for experimentation and novelty inherent to life itself. At the core of this philosophy is the notion that life is fundamentally a creative and forward-moving force. This fundamentally counters any notion of ‘non-morality.’ Instead, it suggests a universe inherently inclined towards complexity, consciousness, and, perhaps implicitly, towards higher forms of moral reasoning and social organization as expressions of life’s inherent push for creativity and novelty.

The critique labeling this philosophy as “romantic” due to its embrace of intuition, feeling, and creativity similarly misses the mark. While Bergson values these aspects of human experience, he does not elevate them at the expense of rationality or logic. Instead, he proposes a more holistic view wherein intuition and intellect are not opposed but complementary, each playing its role in navigating and understanding life’s complexities. This synthesis is not a rejection of morality but a broader framework within which moral principles can be re-examined, reaffirmed, or redefined in alignment with life’s creative evolution.

Bergson’s philosophy, far from being amorally indifferent, invites a deeper engagement with life, imbued with a sense of responsibility towards the creative potential inherent in existence. It prompts a reconsideration of morality, not from a static set of rules, but as evolving principles that must adapt to the continued unfoldment of life’s creative process. This dynamic view of morality is not less rigorous; it is simply more alive, reflective of the complexity and nuance of life itself.

In essence, Bergson suggests that our moral frameworks should evolve in harmony with our deepening understanding of life as a creative, forward-moving force. This implies a morality that is not fixed and dogmatic but fluid and responsive, capable of guiding human action in a universe where creativity, change, and progress are the very fabric of existence. Far from advocating for a moral vacuum, Bergson’s work points towards a vision of morality that is deeply rooted in the vitality and creative thrust of life itself.