Philosophy Bites
Emily Herring on Henri Bergson
Mar 12, 2025
Emily Herring, a biographer of the influential philosopher Henri Bergson, delves into his captivating life and groundbreaking ideas. She discusses Bergson's unique concept of 'durée', which challenges traditional views of time and emphasizes personal experience. Herring also explores the balance between Bergson's scientific approach and intuitive thinking, linking his philosophies to early 20th-century suffragette movements. The conversation highlights Bergson's ongoing relevance in today's discussions about technology and creativity.
18:00
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Quick takeaways
- Henri Bergson's concept of durée highlights the qualitative experience of time, emphasizing how it's shaped by individual perception and past experiences.
- Bergson's accessible philosophy resonated with social movements of his time, offering insights on creativity and freedom that remain relevant in today's technological landscape.
Deep dives
The Enigmatic Legacy of Henri Bergson
Henri Bergson was a prominent French philosopher in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his engaging lectures and innovative ideas that captivated audiences. His approach included a unique lecturing style marked by an enchanting quality and improvisation, which drew large crowds at the Collège de France. During his life, he offered alternatives to the mechanistic worldview, advocating for a philosophy that coexisted with science, emphasizing aspects like creativity and human freedom that could not be reduced to mere mechanics. Despite his previous fame and the Nobel Prize for Literature, today, his influence has waned, leading to questions about the enduring relevance of his ideas.
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