An Introduction to Metaphysics

by H. Bergson, John Mullarkey, M. Kolkman (Editor)

Overview

Henri Bergson is one of the truly great philosophers of the modernist period, and interest in his work is currently experiencing a major renaissance. This essential book contains Bergson's classic statement that to philosophize is to reverse the habitual directions of our thinking, and his claim that true empiricism amounts to true metaphysics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230517233
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	07/12/2007
Series:	Henri Bergson Centennial Series
Edition description:	2007
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.01(d)
Lexile:	1360L (what's this?)

About the Author

HENRI BERGSON (1859-1941) is one of the truly great philosophers of the modernist period, and there is currently a major renaissance of interest in his unduly neglected texts and ideas amongst philosophers, literary theorists, and social theorists.

JOHN MULLARKEY is a Lecturer in philosophy at the University of Dundee, UK. He is the author of Bergson and Philosophy (Edinburgh University Press, 1999) and editor, with Keith Ansell Pearson, of Bergson: Key Writings (Continuum, 2002).

MICHAEL KOLKMAN is a Graduate Student at the University of Warwick, UK, currently completing a PhD on the philosophy of Henri Bergson.

KEITH ANSELL PEARSON is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Warwick, UK. He is the author of Germinal Life: The Difference and Repetition of Deleuze (Routledge, 1999), Philosophy and the Adventure of the Virtual (Routledge, 2001), An Introduction to Nietzsche as Political Thinker (CUP, 1994). He is the co-editor of a forthcoming 'Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche' (Stanford) and editor of the 1890-1930 volume of Acumen's forthcoming 7-volume series in the history of Continental Philosophy.

Table of Contents

Series Preface 'The Very Life of Things': Thinking Objects and Reversing Thought in Bergsonian Metaphysics; J.Mullarkey Guide to Further Reading AN INTRODUCTION TO METAPHYSICS ; H.Bergson Translator's Preface; T.E.Hulme Notes Index

What People are Saying About This

Peter A.Y. Gunter

With its signal distinction between 'intuition' and 'analysis' and its exploration of the different levels of Duration (Bergson's term for Heraclitean flux), An Introduction to Metaphysics [Hackett Publishing Co.] has had a significant impact on subsequent twentieth century thought. The arts, from post-impressionist painting to the stream of consciousness novel, and philosophies as diverse as pragmatism, process philosophy, and existentialism bear its imprint. Consigned for a while to the margins of philosophy, Bergson's thought is making its way back to the mainstream. The reissue of this important work comes at an opportune time, and will be welcomed by teachers and scholars alike.

Editorial Reviews

'Palgrave Macmillan is to be congratulated for reissuing these classic Bergson texts. This is a timely decision since Bergson was the great thinker of life and it seems, nearly one hundred years later, that we find ourselves once again required to conceive life. Keith Ansell Pearson and John Mullarkey have been at the forefront of the new conception of life, therefore no better editors for these volumes could be selected.' - Professor Leonard Lawlor, Department of Philosophy, University of Memphis, USA

'Long absent from the center of discussion in Western philosophy, Bergson has recently made a reappearance. The Centennial Series of his works undertaken by Palgrave Macmillan thus comes at an opportune time, making it possible for those interested in Bergson's ideas t have access to newly annotated versions of several of his chief writings, freshly introduced and discussed. It is particularly good to see the republication of Mind-Energy, a treasure trove of Bergsonian insights long out of print.' - Professor Pete A.Y. Gunter, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of North Texas, USA

From the Publisher

With its signal distinction between 'intuition' and 'analysis' and its exploration of the different levels of Duration (Bergson's term for Heraclitean flux), An Introduction to Metaphysics has had a significant impact on subsequent twentieth century thought. The arts, from post-impressionist painting to the stream of consciousness novel, and philosophies as diverse as pragmatism, process philosophy, and existentialism bear its imprint. Consigned for a while to the margins of philosophy, Bergson's thought is making its way back to the mainstream. The reissue of this important work comes at an opportune time, and will be welcomed by teachers and scholars alike. -University of North Texas

Peter A.Y. Gunter

Reprints the 1949 publication of the 1912 translation of the essay la m<'e>taphysique/>, which appeared in a French journal in January 1903. While not an epitome of Bergson's (1859-1941) work in general, it provides a good introduction to it, and sets out his meaning of intuition at greater length than elsewhere. There is no index or bibliography. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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