Bergson's Philosophy of Will and the War of 1914-1918.
Journal of the history of ideas July 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1353/jhi.2016.0020 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 16 |
| Key points | Argues that Bergson's wartime mobilization of his philosophy of creative evolution depends on his conception of will as a controllable force, which shapes his later reflections on technology and mysticism. |
Abstract
In his wartime discourses of 1914, Henri Bergson mobilizes his philosophy of creative evolution: France is a nation of creative life able to replenish itself, whereas Germany, for all its technological might, is a mechanistic power bound to wear itself out. This paper shows that this moblization is made possible by Bergson's philosophy of will: life as a creative principle is will, and it is a controllable and commandable willpower that he opposes to Germany. Grasping this is crucial for understanding not only the war discourses but also Bergson's later reflections on technology, modernity, and mysticism.