Bergson - Time

Question 1

Which epistemological school of philosophy did Bergson critique?

Answer 1

Rationalism

Question 2

What two ways do we experience ‘concrete reality’ according to Bergson?

Answer 2

Immediate experience and intuition

Question 3

Bergson would describe reality as inherently…

Answer 3

Dynamic

Question 4

How would Bergson describe ‘concrete reality’s’ effect on our logic?

Answer 4

Overflowing

Question 5

Bergson defines ‘duration’ as the…

Answer 5

Flow of time

Question 6

‘Duration’ can only be experienced and described in what way?

Answer 6

Indirectly and through metaphor

Question 7

What is ‘linear time’ according to Bergson?

Answer 7

Measurable time

Question 8

What is the general purpose of ‘linear time’?

Answer 8

To order society

Question 9

Bergson argued the movement of time is…

Answer 9

Elastic

Question 10

Which Greek philosopher believes we are static beings with an essence?

Answer 10

Parmenides

Question 11

Which Greek philosopher believes we are dynamic beings who become?

Answer 11

Heraclitus

Question 12

In Bergson’s essay “The Endurance of Life”, what are the three levels in which he investigates the stability-vs-change issue?

Answer 12

Consciousness, ontology, and living bodies

Question 13

Define ‘ontology’.

Answer 13

The study of being, of what there is

Question 14

Which part of our psychology does consciousness concern?

Answer 14

The ego

Question 15

What does Bergson mean by “living bodies”?

Answer 15

Living organisms

Question 16

What does the ‘level’ of consciousness concern?

Answer 16

Consciousness

Question 17

What does the ‘level’ of ontology concern?

Answer 17

Physics or matter

Question 18

“the existence of which we are most assured and which we know best is unquestionably”…” - Matter and Memory

Answer 18

Our own

Question 19

What phenomenon of time does Bergson initially suggest he experiences in his book ‘creative evolution’? [Precisely quote]

Answer 19

“I pass from state to state”

Question 20

What are the five main themes covered in Bergson’s philosophy?

Answer 20

Consciousness, creativity, dynamic reality, Elan vital, and freedom

Question 21

Define ‘Elan vital’.

Answer 21

The impulse of life

Question 22

Bergson believes our ‘states’ cannot…

Answer 22

Repeat themselves

Question 23

Bergson believed memories have no effect on our present moment. - True or False?

Answer 23

False

Question 24

Bergson believed existing is to…

Answer 24

Change

Question 25

Bergson believed that by changing we…

Answer 25

Mature

Question 26

What did Bergson claim time does to objects and scientific operations?

Answer 26

Bites into them

Question 27

Impatience is not thought, it is…

Answer 27

Lived

Question 28

What phenomenon did Bergson say is an ‘undeniable fact’?

Answer 28

Succession

Question 29

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?

Answer 29

Our perspective/vision

Question 30

Bergson claims that the ‘state’ we experience is “nothing but…” what?

Answer 30

Change

Question 31

It can be practical to ignore what type of changes?

Answer 31

obvious ones

Question 32

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?

Answer 32

A gentle slope