The Challenge of Bergsonism

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The great influence of the work of Henri Bergson on contemporary philosophy is only now becoming clear. Part of this renaissance in Bergsonism is due to Gilles Deleuze and Emmanuel Levinas, both of whom have acknowledged Bergson as an inspiration for their philosophy. Bergson's key philosophical concept is "duration", which encompasses both memory and life. "The Challenge of Bergsonism" analyses this central but complex concept through a close reading of one of Bergson's key works, "Matter and Memory", setting it in the broader context of Bergson's writings. The text explores how Bergsonism questions our ways of thinking, particularly the concept of reality, and ultimately demands a return to ethics. It also includes an English translation of Jean Hyppolite's highly influential essay, "Various Aspects of Memory in Bergson".

Reviews

"The Challenge of Bergsonism takes Matter and Memory, Bergson's most daring and difficult text, and not only makes it accessible to students of Bergson but also to anyone interested in current issues in Continental philosophy. More than this, the book offers a sophisticated Continental alternative to current debates in ontology, phenomenology and ethics."--John Mullarkey, editor of Henri-Bergson: Key Writings and author of Bergson and Philosophy
"Lawlor's book is the clearest and most concise of all the new books to appear on Bergson in English. Lawlor presents a Bergson who has inspired contemporary French thought of both the ultimate philosopher of immanence, Deleuze, and the ultimate philosopher of transcendence, Levinas...Lawlor presents a philosophy that fundamentally challenges three trends in continental philosophy: Phenomenology, Ontology, and Ethics. He focuses on the primary Bergsonian innovation, Duration." --Janus Head, Summer 2005 -- Janus Head
"Lawler (Univ. of Memphis) has written a brilliant introduction to Bergson's groundbreaking masterpiece, Matter and Memory (1911). In a mere 116 pages...he takes readers through the phenomenology, ontology, and ethics contained in Bergson's difficult book. The result is a meticulous yet clear tour through the fundamental concepts of a philosophy that so far has not received the proper attention. Lawlor manages to simultaneously explain the theory and waken interest in further study of a body of thought that offers a refreshing alternative to the dominant approaches to philosophy...Highly recommended. Graduate students through faculty." -S. Rura, CHOICE magazine * Choice *

Author Bio

Leonard Lawlor is Dunavant Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Memphis. He has written widely on Continental Philosophy.