Bergson: A Network of Ideas
This interactive visualization maps the key concepts, works, and influences of Henri Bergson (1859-1941), one of the most important French philosophers of the early 20th century. Bergson developed a philosophy that emphasized the importance of time experienced as duration, intuition, and the creative evolution of life.
Key Themes
- Durée (Duration): Bergson's central concept that time is not a series of discrete moments but a continuous flow that cannot be divided without distorting its nature.
- Intuition vs. Intellect: Bergson distinguished between analytical intellect, which divides and measures, and intuition, which grasps reality from within.
- Élan Vital: The vital impulse or creative force that drives evolution in multiple unpredictable directions rather than along a predetermined path.
- Free Will: Bergson connected the continuity of time with the possibility of genuine freedom and spontaneous acts that cannot be determined in advance.
- Critique of Positivism: Bergson challenged the scientific positivism of his day, arguing that it could not capture the essence of lived experience, particularly time and consciousness.
How to Use This Visualization
- Click on any node to see detailed information about that concept, person, or text.
- Use the search box to find specific nodes.
- Filter by category using the buttons on the left.
- Drag nodes to rearrange the network.
- Use the visualization controls to adjust the network parameters.
- Click "Reset View" to return to the original layout.
Related Visualizations
This visualization is part of a series exploring key philosophical movements and thinkers. For a more complete understanding, consider exploring the related visualizations:
- Enlightenment - The philosophical movement whose mechanistic worldview Bergson challenged
- Romanticism - A cultural movement that shares Bergson's emphasis on intuition and organic wholeness
- Hegel - A philosopher who presented an alternative account of time and becoming
- Marxism - A theory that contrasts with Bergson in its emphasis on materialism and social structures
- Nietzsche - A philosopher with complementary ideas about creativity and critique of rationalism
- Leninism - A revolutionary theory with a very different approach to history and social change