bergsonism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/ProfessionalVery formal, academic, philosophical
Quick answer
What does “bergsonism” mean?
The philosophical system or ideas of Henri Bergson (1859-1941), emphasizing intuition, duration, élan vital, and creative evolution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The philosophical system or ideas of Henri Bergson (1859-1941), emphasizing intuition, duration, élan vital, and creative evolution.
More broadly, it can refer to any approach to philosophy that prioritizes lived experience, time as duration, and anti-mechanistic vitalism over rigid intellectualism or scientific materialism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and specialized in both varieties. The core spelling '-ism' suffix is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes early 20th-century Continental philosophy, anti-positivism, and a focus on metaphysics and the philosophy of time.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency outside academic philosophical discourse. No discernible difference between UK and US usage frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “bergsonism” in a Sentence
The book offers a defence of ___His thought was influenced by ___A key tenet of ___ is...A critique of ___Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bergsonism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her analysis was distinctly Bergsonian in its approach.
American English
- The poet's work shows a Bergsonian conception of time.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in philosophy, intellectual history, and occasionally in literature departments when discussing modernism.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used as a technical term within the academic field of philosophy, specifically history of philosophy and metaphysics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bergsonism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bergsonism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bergsonism”
- Using 'Bergsonism' to mean simply 'being lively or energetic'.
- Spelling as 'Bergsonianism' (though 'Bergsonian' is the adjectival form).
- Confusing it with 'existentialism' or other 20th-century philosophies.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, within certain philosophical circles, particularly those focused on process philosophy, phenomenology, and the philosophy of time. Its critiques of mechanistic science and emphasis on lived experience find echoes in contemporary thought.
While both focus on lived experience, Bergsonism is more metaphysical and centred on a vitalist cosmology (élan vital) and a specific theory of time (duration). Existentialism is more concerned with human freedom, choice, and the individual's confrontation with an absurd universe.
Rarely. It is primarily an adjective (e.g., a Bergsonian view). As a noun, it would refer to a follower of Bergson (e.g., 'He was a committed Bergsonian'), but 'follower of Bergson' or 'proponent of Bergsonism' is more common.
It is used almost exclusively in the academic discipline of Philosophy, specifically in the history of modern philosophy, metaphysics, and the philosophy of life (vitalism).
The philosophical system or ideas of Henri Bergson (1859-1941), emphasizing intuition, duration, élan vital, and creative evolution.
Bergsonism is usually very formal, academic, philosophical in register.
Bergsonism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːɡsənɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːrɡsənɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of BERG (mountain) + SON + ISM. 'The son of the mountain (a profound, foundational figure) created an -ism about time and life.'
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A FLOWING STREAM (reflecting the concept of 'duration' and continuous change).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a central concept in Bergsonism?