Emily Herring, "Herald of a Restless World: How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People" (Basic Books, 2024)
Dec 29, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Emily Herring, a Paris-based writer and expert on Henri Bergson, sheds light on the influential philosopher's legacy. She explores Bergson's groundbreaking ideas on consciousness and creativity, emphasizing their relevance in today's rapidly changing world. The conversation delves into his famous debates with great minds like Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein, revealing the philosophical tensions of the time. Herring also addresses Bergson's complex relationship with his Jewish heritage and his unexpected political activism during World War I.
Henri Bergson's philosophy emphasized the significance of individual creativity and subjective experience of time, challenging deterministic views of nature.
Bergson resonated with people facing rapid social and technological changes, providing an optimistic framework that celebrated human agency and qualitative experiences.
Despite his initial acclaim, Bergson's popularity diminished post-World War I due to shifting societal values and criticisms, overshadowing his profound legacy.
Deep dives
The Importance of Henry Bergson in Philosophy
Henry Bergson emerged as a prominent philosopher in the early 20th century, known for making complex ideas accessible to a wider audience. He gained significant acclaim for his works that challenged conventional scientific and philosophical perspectives, particularly regarding consciousness and the nature of time. His principle of 'durée', or lived time, emphasized the subjective experience of time over the mechanistic view prevalent in science. This unique approach distinguished him from his contemporaries and contributed to his popularity, particularly during a time of significant social and intellectual upheaval.
Bergson's Philosophy and the Anxiety of Modern Life
Bergson's ideas resonated deeply with the anxieties of his time, as he grappled with the implications of scientific advancements on human experience and freedom. His philosophy presented a counter-narrative to the deterministic views of nature, arguing that life is characterized by change and creativity rather than fixed states. This perspective became increasingly relevant as society faced rapid industrialization and technological transformation, which often dehumanized individuals by reducing them to mere functions of mechanistic processes. Consequently, his work provided an optimistic framework that highlighted the importance of qualitative experiences and human agency in an increasingly quantified world.
The Decline of Bergson's Popularity and its Causes
Despite his initial fame, Bergson's popularity began to wane after World War I, as societal values shifted and new philosophical paradigms gained traction. The devastation of the war altered intellectual landscapes, diminishing the allure of his ideas, which were viewed as less relevant in the face of modern existential crises. Additionally, key criticisms from figures like Bertrand Russell, who misrepresented Bergson's philosophies as anti-scientific, further eroded his standing in the Anglophone world. This decline coincided with Bergson's own withdrawal from public life due to illness, leading to a legacy that, while significant, became overshadowed by more contemporary philosophical movements.
Bergson's Complex Relationship with Science
Throughout his career, Bergson faced accusations of being anti-science, primarily due to his critiques of the limitations of scientific discourse in capturing the essence of life. He argued that scientific methods often failed to account for the intricacies of consciousness and lived experience, emphasizing the need for a complementary metaphysical approach. His ideas, particularly concerning the 'élan vital', were often misconstrued as disregarding scientific principles, whereas he sought to illustrate the value of both scientific inquiry and philosophical exploration. This dual perspective aimed to enrich the understanding of life and consciousness rather than dismiss empirical methods, showcasing Bergson's commitment to integrating rather than opposing science.
Bergson's Political Engagements and Legacy
Bergson's philosophical prominence led him to engage in political discourse during World War I, where he was secretly tasked with persuading President Wilson to join the conflict on the side of the Allies. His role highlighted the intersection of philosophy and practical governance, as he argued for the importance of moral progress alongside technological advancements. Despite initial success, his engagement with politics did not rehabilitate his philosophical reputation post-war, as societal shifts and new ideological movements emerged. Nevertheless, his legacy has seen a resurgence as contemporary concerns echo the existential questions he raised, suggesting that his insights remain pertinent to our understanding of human experience in modern society.
At the dawn of the twentieth century, Henri Bergson became the most famous philosopher on earth. Where prior thinkers sketched out a predictable universe, he asserted the transformative power of consciousness and creativity. An international celebrity, he made headlines around the world debating luminaries like Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein about free will and time. The vision of creative evolution and freedom he presented was so disruptive that the New York Times branded him "the most dangerous man in the world."
In the first English-language biography of Bergson, Emily Herring traces how his celebration of the time-bending uniqueness of individual experience struck a chord with those shaken by modern technological and social change. Bergson captivated a society in flux like no other. Long after he faded from public view, his insights into memory, time, joy and creativity continue to shape our perceptions to this day. Herald of a Restless World is an electrifying portrait of a singular intellect.
Emily Herring is a writer based in Paris. She studied philosophy at the Sorbonne and received her PhD in the history and philosophy of science from the University of Leeds. Her work has appeared in the TLS and Aeon.
Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube channel. Twitter.
