Henri Bergson

Philosopher

Henri Bergson was a French philosopher known for his ideas on time, consciousness, and the nature of reality, particularly in his work 'Creative Evolution.'

Born
October 18, 1859
Died
January 4, 1941
Quotes
75
Rank
#131

About Henri Bergson

Henri Bergson — Life and Legacy

Henri Bergson, a prominent French philosopher of the early 20th century, significantly influenced contemporary thought with his explorations of time and consciousness. His major work, 'Creative Evolution,' challenges the mechanistic view of life, proposing instead that evolution is driven by a vital force, or 'élan vital,' which embodies creativity and spontaneity. Bergson's philosophy emphasizes the subjective experience of time, arguing that it cannot be fully understood through scientific measurement alone. He famously stated that 'the present contains nothing more than the past,' highlighting the interconnectedness of memory and consciousness. This perspective reveals his belief that human experience is fluid and dynamic, contrasting with rigid, linear interpretations of time. Today, Bergson's ideas resonate in various fields, from psychology to existential philosophy, as they encourage a deeper understanding of the complexities of human experience. His insights into the nature of consciousness and the fluidity of time continue to inspire thinkers and artists, emphasizing the importance of intuition and creativity in grasping the essence of reality.

Quote collection

Henri Bergson quotes (page 1 of 4)

75 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"Fortunately, some are born with spiritual immune systems that sooner or later give rejection to the illusory worldview grafted upon then from birth through social conditioning. They begin sensing that something is amiss, and start looking for answers. Inner knowledge and anomalous outer experiences show them a side of reality others are oblivious to, and so begins the journey of awakening. Each step of the journey is made by following the heart instead of the crowd, and by choosing knowledge over veils of ignorance."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"The idea of the future, pregnant with an infinity of possibilities, is thus more fruitful than the future itself, and this is why we find more charm in hope than in possession, in dreams than in reality."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"Some other faculty than the intellect is necessary for the apprehension of reality."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"Homo sapiens, the only creature endowed with reason, is also the only creature to pin its existence on things unreasonable."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"There is no greater joy than that of feeling oneself a creator. The triumph of life is expressed by creation."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"In laughter we always find an unavowed intention to humiliate and consequently to correct our neighbour."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"If reality impacted directly on our senses and our consciousness, if we could have direct communication between the material world and ourselves, art would be unnecessary."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"We are free when our actions emanate from our total personality, when they express it, when they resemble it in the indefinable way a work of art sometimes does the artist."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"Intuition is a method of feeling one's way intellectually into the inner heart of a thing to locate what is unique and inexpressible in it."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"Only those ideas that are least truly ours can be adequately expressed in words."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"It is with our entire past ... that we desire, will and act ... from this survival of the past it follows that consciousness cannot go through the same state twice. The circumstances may still be the same, but they will act no longer on the same person ... that is why our duration is irreversible."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"Art has no other object than to set aside the symbols of practical utility, the generalities that are conventionally and socially accepted, everything in fact which masks reality from us, in order to set us face to face with reality itself."

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Henri Bergson Philosopher
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"Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks."

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