INTUITIVE EXPERIENCE IN HENRI BERGSON: an attention to life beyond the conceptual universe
Intuition. Duration. Intelligence. Vital Elan. Life.
The aim of this research is to address theoretical aspects that guide the thinking of French philosopher Henri Bergson, initially investigating the type of metaphysics he intends to elaborate in his texts and which ontological assumptions operate behind the Bergsonian conception of intuition. For this, we will seek to clarify Bergson's view of what duration is and the differentiation he gives us in relation to time and space. Another important element explored in the research is Bergson's conception of intelligence and conceptual thinking as elements restricted to outer spatial reality and, therefore, incapable of apprehending duration. We will seek to understand what kind of knowledge this intuition really is that gives us access to this deeper and more original dimension of being and is capable of going beyond what has to do with the intellectual faculty, and also, how should we understand this access of intuition to the background of being. Throughout the master's dissertation, we will follow Bergson's reflections on the moral organization of societies, as well as the concept he attributes to religion and mysticism, in a dualism that can favor or bring difficulties to reach the intuitive experience. The intuitive method pointed out by the philosopher promises to solve the problem by putting Man in contact with the deep Self, in motion and in full evolution, giving life the original attention it deserves. Finally, we will seek in the philosopher's thought the possibility of a language that is capable of expressing what is discovered through the exercise of intuition.