Index.

Henri Bergson’s work, as summarized in this chapter, emphasizes the exceptional importance and infinite reach of his new philosophy. This novel approach, marked by its uniqueness and potential for misunderstanding, positions itself as the future departure point for speculative philosophy, attracting an increasing number of adherents despite the inevitability of misinterpretations and the potential for its transformation into a new form of scholasticism.

Bergson’s philosophy underlines the centrality of intuition over analysis and the dynamic nature of reality and consciousness. It contrasts conceptual analysis with the immediacy and depth of intuitive understanding, seeing life and existence as continual becoming and emphasizing the role of change as fundamental to both being and knowledge. This perspective challenges traditional metaphysical and scientific frameworks, proposing instead that reality is characterized by flux, duration, and a qualitative continuity that eludes static conceptualization.

The chapter outlines a comprehensive critique of existing philosophical and scientific tenets, including determinism, materialism, and mechanism, advocating for an understanding of reality that acknowledges the limitations of language, the pitfalls of rationalism, and the insufficiency of mere analysis to capture the essence of life. Bergson asserts the importance of freedom, the reality of change, and the value of immediate experience, positing intuition as not only a methodological starting point but as a fundamental principle that transcends the boundaries of rational discourse and empirical observation.

Key concepts such as duration, memory, freedom, and the critique of intellectualism are highlighted as central to Bergson’s philosophy. He calls into question the adequacy of scientific and rationalist models to fully grasp the nature of reality, arguing for a philosophical approach that prioritizes the fluid, dynamic, and inherently qualitative aspects of life and consciousness. The chapter also touches on the philosophical implications of evolution, the role of intuition in understanding the continuous flow of existence, and the critique of static conceptions of being and knowledge.

In essence, Bergson advocates for a radical reevaluation of the way we understand the world, urging a shift from the analytical and dissective modes of thought that have dominated Western philosophy and science to a more holistic, intuitive, and dynamic perspective. This approach seeks to reconcile the human experience with the underlying realities of life, emphasizing growth, change, and the intrinsic unpredictability and creativity of the natural world.