Bergson - Time Flashcards
Which epistemological school of philosophy did Bergson critique?
Rationalism
What two ways do we experience ‘concrete reality’ according to Bergson?
Immediate experience and intuition
Bergson would describe reality as inherently…
Dynamic
How would Bergson describe ‘concrete reality’s’ effect on our logic?
Overflowing
Bergson defines ‘duration’ as the…
Flow of time
‘Duration’ can only be experienced and described in what way?
Indirectly and through metaphor
What is ‘linear time’ according to Bergson?
Measurable time
What is the general purpose of ‘linear time’?
To order society
Bergson argued the movement of time is…
Elastic
Which Greek philosopher believes we are static beings with an essence?
Parmenides
Which Greek philosopher believes we are dynamic beings who become?
Heraclitus
In Bergson’s essay “The Endurance of Life”, what are the three levels in which he investigates the stability-vs-change issue?
Consciousness, ontology, and living bodies
Define ‘ontology’.
The study of being, of what there is
Which part of our psychology does consciousness concern?
The ego
What does Bergson mean by “living bodies”?
Living organisms
What does the ‘level’ of consciousness concern?
Consciousness
What does the ‘level’ of ontology concern?
Physics or matter
“the existence of which we are most assured and which we know best is unquestionably”…” - Matter and Memory
Our own
What phenomenon of time does Bergson initially suggest he experiences in his book ‘creative evolution’? [Precisely quote]
“I pass from state to state”
What are the five main themes covered in Bergson’s philosophy?
Consciousness, creativity, dynamic reality, Elan vital, and freedom
Define ‘Elan vital’.
The impulse of life
Bergson believes our ‘states’ cannot…
Repeat themselves
Bergson believed memories have no effect on our present moment. - True or False?
False
Bergson believed existing is to…
Change
Bergson believed that by changing we…
Mature
What did Bergson claim time does to objects and scientific operations?
Bites into them
Impatience is not thought, it is…
Lived
What phenomenon did Bergson say is an ‘undeniable fact’?
Succession
Even if we look at the same object again, due to the influence of memory and perhaps our change of line of sight, what changes?
Our perspective/vision
Bergson claims that the ‘state’ we experience is “nothing but…” what?
Change
It can be practical to ignore what type of changes?
obvious ones
Bergson believes our physical life is wrongly perceived as separate acts (like steps) due to our discontinuous attention. What metaphor did he use to counter this description of the nature our being and consciousness?
A gentle slope
