Central and East European
Society for Phenomenology

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The critique of intellect

Henri Bergson's prologue to an organic epistemology

M. Scott Ruse

pp. 281-302

Abstract

Bergson never dared to entitle his own work in such a fashion. However, his philosophical contribution on the workings of intelligence deserves such a high title. This article seeks to elucidate Bergson's contribution to philosophy in terms of his anticipation of several developments in human understanding. The work begins by investigating the relation between thought and the world ("reality") by reviewing a series of constructivist concepts. In many ways, constructivism is related to both structuralism and post-structuralism, however this work does not seek to detail these interrelations in any overt way. Instead, these concepts lay the groundwork for a review of Bergson's discussion of intellect in relation to life, psyche, and modern physics. Central concepts include limitation, circularity, and complementarity. Ultimately, the article seeks to display how Bergson's work is not only a precursor to constructivism but lays the foundation for a modified constructivism that can achieve a rigorous philosophical level. The proposed ground for the intellect is in the organic. Such an epistemological foundationalism would ultimately justify an evolutionary epistemology, in that, the structuring of the organic is evolving and thus the structuring of intellect would likewise evolve. Clarifying such an epistemology may aid in developing Delueze's an-organic bergsonism.

Publication details

Published in:

(2002) Continental Philosophy Review 35 (3).

Pages: 281-302

DOI: 10.1023/A:1022689023583

Full citation:

Ruse M Scott (2002) „The critique of intellect: Henri Bergson's prologue to an organic epistemology“. Continental Philosophy Review 35 (3), 281–302.