Creative Evolution (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781025487809)

In "Creative Evolution", Nobel Prize-winning philosopher Henri Bergson presents a profound critique of mechanistic and teleological explanations of biological development. Seeking to bridge the gap between science and metaphysics, Bergson introduces his most famous concept: the élan vital, or "vital impetus." This internal force, he argues, is the true driver of evolution, pushing life toward ever-increasing complexity and unpredictable novelty.

Bergson challenges the prevailing scientific theories of his time by asserting that time should be understood not as a series of discrete points, but as "duration"-a continuous, flowing reality that cannot be captured by the intellect alone. While the human intellect is well-suited for manipulating inert matter, Bergson contends that only intuition can grasp the true essence of life and the creative spirit that fuels it.

A masterpiece of early 20th-century thought, "Creative Evolution" remains a cornerstone of process philosophy and vitalism. It offers a poetic yet rigorous exploration of the nature of existence, the limitations of human knowledge, and the dynamic power of the living world. This work continues to inspire readers interested in the intersection of philosophy, biology, and the fundamental mysteries of life.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.