Bergson Thinking Backwards [Paperback]

An examination of the philosophy of Henri Bergson (18591941) showing how relevant Bergson is to much contemporary philosophy.Taking as its point of departure Bergson's insistence on precision in philosophy, this volume shows how relevant he is to much of contemporary philosophy. It will prove appealing to teachers and students of philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, religious studies and literature.Taking as its point of departure Bergson's insistence on precision in philosophy, this volume shows how relevant he is to much of contemporary philosophy. It will prove appealing to teachers and students of philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, religious studies and literature.This is a book about the philosophy of Henri Bergson (1859-1941) that shows how relevant Bergson is to much of contemporary philosophy. The book takes as its point of departure Bergson's insistence on precision in philosophy. It then discusses a variety of topics including laughter, the nature of time as experienced, how intelligence and language should be construed as a pragmatic product of evolution, and the antimonies of reason represented by magic and religion. Written in a terse and clear style, this book will prove appealing to teachers and students of philosophy, cognitive science, psychology, religious studies and literature.Introduction; 1. The requirement of precision; 2. Philosophy and knowledge; 3. Durance: unfolding in time; 4. Laughter; 5. Tension; 6. Aporetic philosophy; 7. Branching; 8. Going beyond; 9. Chance, magic and the primitive: the antinomies of pure intelligence; 10. Paradoxical epilogue: reason ruefully repressed. ...it is nevertheless a useful introduction to Bergson. It reveals Bergson as not only part of the history of philosophy, but as rightly participating in present problems. Ronald M. Carrier, Philosophy in Review