The pragmatic nature of intelligence in Henri Bergson

Abstract

I intend to show in this article the arguments presented by Henri Bergson to expose a reality that, according to him, cannot be captured, in its true essence, by the human intelligence, due the pragmatic nature of the later. The aesthetic contemplation already gives us a hint on another kind of knowledge that can capture the reality hidden from that faculty. Beside that, in one of the most original thoughts of Bergson, the French author rejects the idea, put forward by Aristotle, of the animal instinct as an early stage of intelligence. Basing on his own view of the evolution of life, the French philosopher sees the instinct as another pass followed by life in its constant battle against lifeless matter. The fabrications of instinct are perfectly adequate to its aims, and its actions are done in an unconscious way since there is a perfect match between action and the representation of action. The fruits of intelligence, however, are imperfect, and, therefore, open a space for choice and deliberation to the ends they seek, awakening conscience in the beings that use it.