Henri Bergson's "Time and Free Will" is a philosophical work exploring the nature of time, consciousness, and free will. Bergson challenges the mechanistic view of time prevalent in his era, arguing for a more intuitive and dynamic understanding of duration. He contrasts this with the spatialized, measurable time of science. The book delves into the relationship between consciousness and action, arguing that free will is not an illusion but a fundamental aspect of human experience. Bergson's ideas have had a significant impact on philosophy, psychology, and literature, influencing various schools of thought, including existentialism and phenomenology. His work continues to be relevant in contemporary discussions about consciousness and the nature of time.
Published in 1925, 'Mrs. Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf explores the lives of its characters over a single day in post-World War I London. The novel centers around Clarissa Dalloway, an upper-class housewife, as she prepares to host a party. Her day is punctuated by a visit from Peter Walsh, an old suitor, and her reflections on her past choices. The narrative also follows Septimus Warren Smith, a veteran struggling with shell shock and mental illness, whose story parallels and contrasts with Clarissa's. The novel delves into themes of time, identity, social class, and the psychological impacts of war. Woolf's stream-of-consciousness style provides a deep insight into the characters' inner lives, highlighting the complexities of human experience and the societal norms of the time[1][3][5].
This graphic adaptation of Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' presents the first volume, 'Swann's Way', in a compressed and visually engaging format. The adaptation, likened to a 'piano reduction of an orchestral score', retains the fundamental architecture and themes of Proust’s work, including time, art, and the elusiveness of memory. Stéphane Heuet's detailed illustrations bring to life the narrator Marcel's childhood memories in Combray, capturing the humor, wit, and memorable characters of Proust's original text. This adaptation is designed to make Proust's work more accessible while maintaining its essence and beauty[3][5][4].
Published in 1927, 'The Treason of the Intellectuals' by Julien Benda critiques the role of intellectuals in the early 20th century, particularly their involvement in and support of nationalist and fascist movements. Benda posits that intellectuals have abandoned their pursuit of universal truths and justice, instead serving partisan and nationalist agendas. He argues that this betrayal undermines the intellectual vocation and contributes to moral and political corruption. The book is a timely warning against the seduction of intellectuals by tribal loyalties and antipathies, and it remains relevant in discussions about intellectual responsibility and the role of intellectuals in society[1][3][4].
Henri Bergson's 'Matter and Memory' delves into the relationship between consciousness, memory, and the material world. Bergson challenges traditional views of memory as a static storehouse of information, proposing instead a dynamic, evolving memory that shapes our perception of reality. He explores the role of perception in action, arguing that we perceive only what we can act upon. The book's central theme is the interplay between the material and the mental, emphasizing the active role of consciousness in shaping our experience. Bergson's ideas have influenced various fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy.
The Divine Fire, published in 1904, marked May Sinclair's first major success in England and the United States. The novel delves into the lives of artists, highlighting the tensions between creative ambition and commercial pressures. It features characters like Savage Keith Richman, a poet and bookseller, and Lucia Harden, a scholarly young woman with a significant family library, navigating their passions and societal expectations.
Set in the rural landscape of Garthdale, 'The Three Sisters' by May Sinclair delves into the complex lives of Mary, Gwendolen, and Alice Cartaret as they face the challenges of their father's strict vicarage and their own desires for escape and love. The arrival of Dr. Steven Rowcliffe disrupts their stagnant existence, leading to a series of events that expose the tensions within the family and the societal norms of the time.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859-1941) and his ideas about human experience of time passing and how that differs from a scientific measurement of time, set out in his thesis on 'Time and Free Will' in 1889. He became famous in France and abroad for decades, rivalled only by Einstein and, in the years after the Dreyfus Affair, was the first ever Jewish member of the Académie Française. It's thought his work influenced Proust and Woolf, and the Cubists. He died in 1941 from a cold which, reputedly, he caught while queuing to register as a Jew, refusing the Vichy government's offer of exemption.
With
Keith Ansell-Pearson
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick
Emily Thomas
Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Durham University
And
Mark Sinclair
Reader in Philosophy at the University of Roehampton
Producer: Simon Tillotson
In Our Time 
