Philosopher's Zone
Henri Bergson, philosopher of past and future
Apr 23, 2025
Emily Herring, an English writer based in Paris and author of a biography on Henri Bergson, delves into the philosopher's lasting impact. They discuss Bergson's iconic status 100 years ago, his appeal to women, and how his thoughts on technology and identity foreshadow today’s anxieties about AI. The conversation highlights the fluidity of time and consciousness, linking these ideas to feminist movements and exploring translation challenges in his works. Finally, they reflect on the rapid decline of his influence post-World War I.
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Quick takeaways
- Bergson's philosophy challenges traditional views of time by advocating a qualitative understanding of temporality over merely scientific or linguistic representations.
- His accessible ideas on freedom and creativity resonated with early 20th-century audiences, particularly women, facilitating social change and empowerment.
Deep dives
The Impact of Science on Humanity
Science has a profound and often unsettling effect on our understanding of humanity and societal structures. The advancements in communication technology, especially since the advent of the internet, have transformed the way people interact and think about concepts like free speech. Similarly, Artificial Intelligence has introduced complexities that disrupt traditional creative fields, raising concerns about the loss of human essence in artistic endeavors. Such technologies elicit unsettling questions about humanity's future, drawing parallels to historical anxieties faced in the early 20th century when scientific theories and war reshaped societal norms.
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