Henri Bergson

Date of Birth: October 18, 1859

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 4, 1941

Biography

Henri-Louis Bergson was a renowned French philosopher who was born on October 18, 1859, in Paris, France, and passed away on January 4, 1941. He is widely regarded for his influential work on the philosophy of time, consciousness, and metaphysics. Bergson’s philosophy emphasized the importance of intuition over scientific rationalism and was an early precursor to existentialist thought. His most famous works include “Time and Free Will,” “Matter and Memory,” “Creative Evolution,” and “The Two Sources of Morality and Religion.” Henri Bergson’s intellectual journey was marked by his challenge to the mechanistic view of the universe that dominated the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He introduced concepts such as “élan vital” (vital impetus), which he used to explain the creative evolution of life. In 1927, Bergson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his rich and vitalizing ideas. Bergson’s influence extended beyond philosophy to literature, psychology, and the arts. He engaged in notable intellectual debates with contemporaries such as Albert Einstein on the nature of time. His work laid the groundwork for later existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and influenced writers such as Marcel Proust and Virginia Woolf.

5 Interesting Facts about Henri Bergson

1. Henri Bergson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927 for his innovative ideas and literary style.

2. Bergson’s concept of “élan vital” has been influential in both philosophical and biological discussions about the nature of life and evolution.

3. He served as a professor at the Collège de France, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in France.

4. Bergson had a public intellectual debate with Albert Einstein concerning the nature of time, reflecting his deep engagement with contemporary scientific thought.

5. Despite his Jewish heritage, Bergson converted to Catholicism later in life, although he remained critical of organized religion.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henri Bergson

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

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

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

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

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

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henri Bergson did not achieve notable financial wealth, as his primary contributions were intellectual and philosophical. His highest net worth was modest, reflecting his life’s dedication to teaching and writing rather than financial pursuits.

Children

Henri Bergson and his wife, Louise Neuberger, had one child, a daughter named Jeanne Bergson. Jeanne was born deaf and became a talented sculptor and painter despite her disability.