Martial Gueroult and Henri Bergson: The collapse of intuitive model?

Abstract

The article aims to analyze prospects of intuitive model in relation to the history of philosophy. One of the main objectives of the article is the characteristic of critical arguments at Bergson’s model by one of the most influential French historians of philosophy of the 20th century, assessment of their importance. In the article the hermeneutical method is used. In the work the conclusion is made that the intuitive model and the cinema scheme in the context of an explanation of history of systems coexist in Bergson’s creativity, intertwine with each other is drawn, without forcing out one by another at all. As it seems, presence at Bergson’s creativity of two tendencies in interpretation of history of philosophy testifies to incompleteness, insufficiency of intuitive model. Substantially Gueroult’s critical remarks achieve the objectives. The aspiration to attach to an intuition the universal significance in the history of philosophy didn’t pay off, didn’t allow to receive a past picture in which all details would have convincing and exhaustive explanation. At the same time it would be wrong to concider the intuitive model as absolutely fruitless, because it generalizes certain experience of philosophical activity. But also the Gueroult’s concept, in turn, had the vulnerable points. The logical structure of system can’t be ignored by the historian of philosophy who is obliged to study it thoroughly, but basic value have theoretical prerequisites, implicit cultural influences and a role of personal experience of the outstanding thinker. The Gueroult’s concept, as well as Bergson’s, mentions the important facts for history of the ideas. The architectonics of systems is so essential to the history of philosophy, as well as ability to find this or that intuitive installation which is implicitly present at consciousness of the author behind logical structure. In modern conditions for the historian of philosophy both elements which are found in the systems of the past are rather important and can’t be ignored by him.