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On Bergson’s reformation of philosophy

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Ansell-Pearson, Keith (2016) On Bergson’s reformation of philosophy. Journal of French and Francophone Philosophy, 24 (2). pp. 84-105. doi:10.5195/jffp.2016.772 ISSN 2155-1162 .

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.5195/jffp.2016.772

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Abstract

In this essay I focus on the text Creative Evolution (1907) and show that although Bergson intended to make a contribution to the science of biology and to the philosophy of life, the primary aim of the text is to show the need for a fundamental reformation of philosophy. Bergson wants to show how, through an appreciation of the evolution of life, philosophy can expand our perception of the universe. I examine in detail the two essential claims he makes in the text: first, that we have to see the theory of knowledge and the theory of life as deeply related; second, that there is a need to “think beyond the human condition” or human state. Indeed, Bergson conceives philosophy as the discipline that “raises us above the human condition” and makes the effort to “surpass” it. This reveals itself to be something of an extraordinary endeavour since it means bringing the human intellect into rapport with other kinds of consciousness. Moreover, if we do not place our thinking about the nature, character, and limits of knowledge within the context of the evolution of life then we risk uncritically accepting the concepts that have been placed at our disposal. It means we think within pre-existing frames. We need, then, to ask two questions: first, how has the human intellect evolved?, and second, how can we enlarge and go beyond the frames of knowledge available to us?

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Philosophy
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Bergson, Henri, 1859-1941 -- Creative Evolution -- Criticism and interpretation
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of French and Francophone Philosophy
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh
ISSN: 2155-1162
Official Date: 2016
Dates:
DateEvent
2016Published
8 November 2016Accepted
Volume: 24
Number: 2
Page Range: pp. 84-105
DOI: 10.5195/jffp.2016.772
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit: 1 December 2016
Date of first compliant Open Access: 15 June 2017
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