Henri Bergson

Date of Birth: October 18, 1859

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 4, 1941

Biography

Henri-Louis Bergson was a French philosopher born on October 18, 1859, in Paris, France. Renowned for his influential ideas on the nature of time and consciousness, Bergson made significant contributions to both philosophy and literature, earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927. His major works include “Time and Free Will,” “Matter and Memory,” and “Creative Evolution.” Bergson’s philosophy emphasized the importance of intuition over intellect, and he argued that reality could be better understood through direct, non-rational experience. He was a prominent figure in the early 20th century philosophical scene, influencing thinkers across various disciplines. Bergson passed away on January 4, 1941, in Paris.

5 Interesting Facts about Henri Bergson

1. Bergson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927 for his rich and vitalizing ideas and the brilliant skill with which they were presented.

2. He had a profound influence on many 20th-century writers and philosophers, including Marcel Proust, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Gilles Deleuze.

3. Bergson’s concept of “élan vital” (vital force) became a central idea in his philosophy, emphasizing the creative and dynamic aspect of life.

4. He was a critic of mechanistic and deterministic science, advocating instead for a more holistic and intuitive understanding of the universe.

5. Bergson served as a professor at the Collège de France, where he held the Chair of Greek and Latin Philosophy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henri Bergson

1. “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.”

2. “To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.”

3. “The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.”

4. “Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.”

5. “Intelligence is the faculty of making artificial objects, especially tools to make tools.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henri Bergson’s exact net worth is not well-documented, but as a prominent philosopher and Nobel Prize winner, he was well-regarded and financially stable in his time.

Children

Henri Bergson had one daughter, Jeanne Bergson, who was born deaf. Despite her disability, she became a talented musician and an advocate for the deaf community.