Bergson

Bergson

Introduction

The world has condition use to perceive actions, memory, purpose and space in a given way; however, upon close examination, it appears that our conditioning is doing more harm than good. The conditioning is referred to as the “material-scientific-ego-centric” that is based on the spiritual orientations and scientific approaches that are being translated to material translations and these processes becoming more secluded in our egos. This results in the emergence of myths that hinder the understanding of the ways of knowing, conceptions of times and ways of viewing ourselves in the world. Examples of these myths include the definition of intuition as an incidence of chance insight, time being a linear force and memory being a physical computing system. I believe that Henri Bergson offers the best defence to the challenge by alluding to the fact that all concepts of duration, reality, memory and thought are a continuous passage.

Discussion

I begin by explaining the comprehensive meaning of the passage before embarking on the definition of the significant concepts that have been referred to in the text. Bergson means that an interdependency exists between durations. In the text, one is forced to wait for the sugar to dissolve. This means that duration is linked to the mixing process between sugar and water and cannot be controlled. A growing impatience is experienced as one waits for the sugar to dissolve. Bearing this in mind, it is possible to mathematically calculate the time that is taken for the sugar to dissolve. However, the experience is not reducible as we do not live in mathematical time. The most exciting aspect of the experience is the uncertainty of the duration. Various questions arise, bringing up the concept of uncertainty in the waiting process. These include, what if one drinks the water before the sugar dissolves? What if one becomes impatient and drinks the water before the sugar dissolves completely? What if one gets a sickly feeling after tasting the water having waited for the sugar to dissolve. One thing that is clear in the passage is that life is characterized by a high level of uncertainty judging from the fact that we are being forced to wait, and this translates to the concept of duration.

The major concepts that are discussed in the passage are duration and continuity, which means that reality, objects and moments are made of various parts. In other words, even reality is made up of multiple elements. Bergson notes that “Though our reasoning on isolated systems may imply that their history, past, present, and future, might be instantaneously unfurled like a fan, this history, unfolds itself gradually, as if it occupied a duration like our own.” The passage means that instead of happening independently or lacking a connection between objects, all events unfold in an overlapping manner. Actions cannot take place without overlapping in a spatial and temporal sense, which means that unity and connection are unavoidable. There is a critical part of being that is a continuing pattern of happening and sequence.

The concept of duration is clear in the passage as quoted, “The more we study the nature of time, the more we shall comprehend that duration means invention, the creation of forms, the continual elaboration of the absolutely new.” I observe that Bergson states that the universe goes through constant redefinition and recreation. The idea can be used to explain the present form of the universe. Bergson implies that the universe would have ceased to exist if it was finite. As a result, the universe is continuously undergoing a change to adopt new forms in a move to endure. Science has also survived over the years due to its ability to maintain newness. For instance, the current laws in science will be exhausted if they do not endure and keep with changes in the universe.

Duration is a continual becoming, succession and constant flow. It is an intrinsically temporal idea as it creates a link between the present and past and leads us into the future. According to Bergson, the temporal frames are unified. Duration is defined to be a qualitative measure that is found in the consciousness states. It cannot be reduced to a series of localized events which could maintain a mechanistic and casual analysis. It follows that duration is the basis of freedom.

I have studied Bergson’s concept of duration and established that it places his arguments against the abstract views of space and time. He presents a case in his early works that philosophers have spatialized time. This can be conceptualized by evaluating the meaning of sugar in the passage. I have noted that sugar is a spatial metaphor that is used to comprehend a concept that is not spatial. Bergson presents an argument against a scientific way of thinking that measures and isolates time into countable bits. He adds that lived time is different. Lived time is different as it is durational. These modes, therefore, mark the disparity between the abstract and concrete points of view. This, as well as other examples in Bergson’s work, suggest that time and duration characterized different process and things, not only the ones that are linked to the human experience.

The concept of memory is related to the passage and is used to get a detailed understanding of how Bergson defines the idea. I have noted that there are two types of memory, according to the philosopher. First, immediate memory stores sensory action and experience. Bergson refers to it as the memory image owing to the effect it has on our present memory. Memory image refers to the immediate symbols of knowledge and perception. The second type of memory is the pure memory that Bergson defined as being powerless and inexpensive. Additionally, it lacks a nature of sensation and can be described to be the essence of being. I have learnt that there are evident disparities between the two forms of memory defined by Bergson. On the one hand, memory image can be likened to memorizing the process of solving a mathematical problem. On the other hand, deep reality refers to the lesson one learns and leads to the establishment of a relationship with mathematics.

Bergson also delves into the concept of intuition in the text. I have concluded that Bergson sometimes contrasts cognition with intuition. It follows that intellect and intuition go in opposite directions. Bergson holds the view that intuition offers a distinctive approach that can be used to comprehend the essence of experience, events and objects. I have observed that he refers to intuition as ‘pure intuition’ and explains that it is associated with intuition as far as understanding how events unfold. In other words, intuition attempts to paint a clear picture of the concept of duration. Bergson attempts to stay away from the conventional views of the relations between the world and the mind. Intuition employs intelligence to rise above instinct but does not move away from the aspects of life. I conclude that intuition is a philosophical standpoint that attempts to capture the qualitative element of live phenomena.

The point that is expressed in the passage is integral in understanding the nature and structure of reality owing to the stand that Bergson takes on duration, time and memory. I have noted that creation is a fundamental aspect of reality from the passage. The mixing of sugar and water by itself is a creative process. Bergson’s arguments pave the way for understanding memory, the uncertainty of events as well as the continuity of life. These are critical elements in understanding the nature and structure of reality.

I support the argument that the excerpt paints an accurate representation of reality, and we should agree with his assertions. Bergson defines duration as being a concept that enables living in succession through continuity instead of being condemned to perpetual instantaneity. It can be observed that he uses duration interchangeably with memory. In reality, memory should be regarded in terms of memory. Duration is a heterogeneous and continuing movement that involves extensive memories that psychologists traditionally refer to as long-term memory. It is a series of ongoing images that does not repeat itself. This means that memory is unlimited and can be viewed as a continuous melody that passes through different stages that are dissimilar. This matches the accurate representation of reality.

Bergson argues that memory is duration and can be stored in the brain and other locations. He adds that the mind should not be treated merely as a storehouse. Like reality, memory is always active, and this is based on the concept of continuity that is expressed in the passage. In other words, there is never a beginning or end of recording memories. The recording of memory or duration is automatic. This results in the assertion that the spatial preservation or storage of memory is not a challenge. In a similar fashion with reality, an unbroken, unified and continuous flow to past experiences should be maintained.

The distinction between virtual and actual memory offered by Bergson can be applied in defining reality. He described pure memory as an automatic and ongoing process of recording the past and asserted that it is impossible to redo past experiences or forget them altogether. The abolition of past memories ensures that the past does not determine the present. It can be stated that memory is the sense of being unconscious. Further, the treatment of the link between the present and the past is defined as the distinction between passivity and action or matter and memory in other words. The past is a burden to our present, inert and passive. Bergson states that that past is only an idea of our present. The present is seen to be an instance of an actuality that can be likened to playing a continuous memory. From this standpoint, we observe that the present is not that which is made up of the past but a part of the experience that is continually affecting the reality. There are two approaches that can be used in defining the present moment. Defined in terms of action, the present moment is made up of the quasi-instantaneous section that is influenced by our conception in the flowing mass. It also observed in regards to memory and being a component of the growth process.

The disparity between actual and virtual is paramount in getting a clear picture of the lived experience, according to Bergson, that can be applied to comprehend reality. When he uses the term actual, he refers to the action that is being implemented. In other words, the ‘here’ and ‘now.’ On the other hand, virtual can be used in the place of potential; and it is defined as what has been done or been perceived. The explanation matches the disparity between virtual and actual reality.

Bergson’s passage is supported by Halbwachs arguments present in The Collective Memory. It refers to the case that our experiences are considered to be a combination of events; in other words, they are never singular. The distinct durations may envelop each other in the long-run, as seen for the overlapping of the mixing of water and sugar with the experience that yields a high level of impatience. It can be observed that Bergson used the idea of intuition to explain the knowledge that is gained from the interlinked durations that are clearly described in the passage.

Conclusion

The passage presents Bergson’s ideas on duration, memory, and reality. It creates a comprehensive understanding of the structure and nature of reality and paves the way for comparisons with the thoughts expressed by other philosophers on the same. I have learnt that continuity, newness and creation are imperative components of life. They make up the reality of life and should be maintained to sustain existence.