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blueyorkie's review against another edition
5.0
In this substantial volume, Bergson takes up the challenge of explaining the different forms that evolution has taken over time. Unlike many philosophers, he does not close his work to the reader. Instead, he involves this one with a book that, despite its requirement, remains understandable for the reader who is not necessarily a specialist in the field. We follow with the most significant interest his thought, the trajectory of this one. Above all, Bergson manages to communicate his subject with the reader. This subject is not a minor performance for a philosopher. Ultimately, we have a substantial work of undeniable richness here - to discover absolutely.
nicoligongoli's review against another edition
4.0
Endow this mind with memory, and especially with the desire to dwell on the past; give
it the faculty of dissociating and of distinguishing: it will no longer only
note the present state of the passing reality; it will represent the passing as a change,
and therefore as a contrast between what has been and what is. And as there is
no essential difference between a past that we remember
and a past that we imagine, it will quickly rise to the idea
of the "possible" in general.
it the faculty of dissociating and of distinguishing: it will no longer only
note the present state of the passing reality; it will represent the passing as a change,
and therefore as a contrast between what has been and what is. And as there is
no essential difference between a past that we remember
and a past that we imagine, it will quickly rise to the idea
of the "possible" in general.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
adamz24's review against another edition
3.0
Nowhere near as important or relevant today as Matter and Memory, I'd say, but still the work of a sophisticated philosopher who easily outshines most of his fellows of the continental school of Philosophy.
The chapter on Nothing is interesting. I don't particularly agree with him, mostly because he fails to look at the concept with the precision of an analytic philosopher such as Meinong, whose category of "subsistence," if accepted by Bergson, would probably radically alter the chapter on Nothing, but the ideas are engaging and inspiring, and it remains one of the most interesting statements against Nothingness.
The chapter on Nothing is interesting. I don't particularly agree with him, mostly because he fails to look at the concept with the precision of an analytic philosopher such as Meinong, whose category of "subsistence," if accepted by Bergson, would probably radically alter the chapter on Nothing, but the ideas are engaging and inspiring, and it remains one of the most interesting statements against Nothingness.
virtualmima's review against another edition
informative
4.25
Great refutation of Spencer's social darwinism. Contemporary ideas of evolution should be based on Bergson and not Spencer.
schumacher's review against another edition
2.0
I appreciate Bergson as someone who sits somewhere between Lucretius and Descartes. His ideas are interesting, especially when applied by Deleuze.
This book's main content consists of a de-anthropomorphized and secularized watchmaker's argument. I could take or leave this, I guess. I found the long passages on biology and different evolutionary theories to be a slog at best and made me worry that I was being duped at worst.
I kind of felt going into this one that it wouldn't really be the Bergson book for me. I'll be looking to read Matter and Memory or The Two Sources at some point.
This book's main content consists of a de-anthropomorphized and secularized watchmaker's argument. I could take or leave this, I guess. I found the long passages on biology and different evolutionary theories to be a slog at best and made me worry that I was being duped at worst.
I kind of felt going into this one that it wouldn't really be the Bergson book for me. I'll be looking to read Matter and Memory or The Two Sources at some point.