Title: Bergson's Elan Vital and Vitalism through a language lens
Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Elan Vital B by Bergson
B.Language in comprehending and communicating difficult philosophical ideas
II. The Dynamic Life Force of Elan Vital
A.Elan Vital is the transcendent force of life and the antithesis of matter
B. Moving past the reductionist notion of physiochemical ingredients
C. Placing more emphasis on the broad field of endeavor than the finite realm of the physical
III.The Phenomenological Experience and Language
A. Using language as a tool to comprehend our present-day experiences
B. How conceptual interpretations, concepts, and ideas shape our understanding
C. Investigating how language might help us understand the phenomenology of our experiences
IV. Philosophy and symbolic language
A. Introduction to metaphysics and its relationship to language
B. Scientific arguments that symbols are no longer necessary
C. Investigating Elan Vital's creative development through language use
V. Dynamic Nature of Change
A. A historical analysis of the idea of change from Plotinus through Descartes and Darwin
B. Embracing intellectual progress and openness in order to comprehend the dynamic essence of existence
C. Insights: William James and Alfred Lord Whitehead
VI. Time perception and spatial perception
A. The Zeno's Paradox and its Effects on How We Understand Time
B. The lived perceptions of space and time defy scientific theories
C. Separating space and time, as well as the constraints of spatializing time
VII. Expression, Language, and Intuition
A. Examining how intuition can help people understand complicated ideas outside of language
B. Investigating the link between language and other emotions, such as fear, pain, suffering, and anxiety
C. Making use of humor, laughter, and expressive communication to reveal the power of language
VIII. Connecting and Isolating through Comedy and Tragedy
A. The role of laughing as a measure of intelligence
B. A comparison of the ways that tragedy and humor portray people.
C. Examining how acting, reversing roles, and reciprocity may help comedy connect and tragedy isolate
IX.Language: A Bridge to the Soul
A. Comedy's transforming ability to awaken our soul
B. Language understanding's ability to prevent people from being reduced to inanimate items
Article:
Elan Vital by Bergson: Vitalism and the dynamic life force:
élan vital: The vital force or impetus of life is known as élan vital, especially a creative principle that Bergson believed to be inherent in all living things and to be the driving force behind evolution.
The idea of vitalism is explored in Bergson's "Elan Vital," which emphasizes the existence of a dynamic life force in all living things. It contends that this "elan vital," a living force that transcends mechanistic explanations, is what propels evolution and consciousness. The work of Bergson emphasizes the significance of appreciating and comprehending the innate life and creativity inside living creatures.
The role of language in understanding and communicating challenging philosophical concepts:
Language facilitates understanding and shapes our perception of the world. As Elan Vital goes beyond the reductionist view of the physiochemical elements, language serves as a lens through which we can explore them. Language is liberated from the limitations imposed by scientific reductionism and transformed into a tool for expressing and comprehending the complexity of existence via Elan Vital's imaginative development. It becomes apparent that laughter is a remarkable phenomenon that has a strong connection to intelligence. Comedy unites people through a common sense of humor, as opposed to tragedy, which divides people due to their shared suffering. Language preserves each person's innate humanity and dignity, preventing humans from degenerating into soulless objects.
Language Lens:Elan Vital and Vitalism by Bergson:
Perusing Bergson's Elan Vital, a thorough analysis of life force and vitalism is revealed to us. As we explore this storehouse of knowledge via the lens of language, a tool that not only facilitates learning but also alters how we perceive the world, we are prompted to investigate these concepts.
Elan Vital, in Bergson's view, represents a dynamic force as contrasted to the immovability of matter. It is a life force that underlines the enormous expanse of activity that takes place outside the confines of physical reality and goes beyond the reductionist notion of physiochemical components.
Within the language universe, we encounter the subjective experience of our own being. We use language to apply concepts, ideas, and conceptual frameworks to our current experiences in order to navigate and understand them. Thus, language acts as a lens through which we can view multifaceted realities and complex phenomena. We maintain Elan Vital's vivid spirit by appreciating language as a means of communication.
A subject that is closely related to language, metaphysics, takes the stage as we investigate its connection to symbolic communication. Symbols are sometimes said to be superfluous by science, however, Bergson's Elan Vital challenges this idea. Language is liberated from the limitations imposed by scientific reductionism and transformed into a tool for expressing and comprehending the complexity of existence because of Elan Vital's imaginative development.
Following the dynamic nature of change leads us through a large network of philosophical concepts. With the idea of change, our understanding of the world has developed from Plotinus through Descartes and Darwin. Elan Vital enables us to explore the fact that reality is continually changing while embracing intellectual growth and entering the dynamic environment.
The inquiry now focuses on our perception of space and time:
The paradox of Zeno exposes the lived experiences of space and time that defy our preconceived ideas about time. We discover that time and space are distinct ideas and that spatialization falls short of accurately capturing time's true character.
Language, with its inherent power, takes on new dimensions as we delve into the worlds of intuition and expression. Intuition gives access to understanding complicated thoughts that transcend language explanation since it goes beyond the constraints of words. Language also entangles our emotional experiences, including those of fear, agony, grief, and concern, giving us a means of expressing and wrangling with these difficult mental emotions.
It becomes apparent that laughter is a remarkable phenomenon that has a strong connection to intelligence. Comedy unites individuals through a shared sense of humor when it is used as a medium of expression, whereas tragedy isolates people because of their own suffering. Through acting, role reversal, and reciprocity, comedy demonstrates the transpositional nature of meanings and the transforming potential of linguistic play.
At its essence, comedy encourages us to remember that people have souls and pushes us not to treat them as inanimate things. Language preserves each person's innate humanity and dignity, preventing humans from degenerating into soulless objects. We preserve Elan Vital's vibrant essence by appreciating language as a tool for understanding and expression.
We emerge from our investigation of language via the prism of Bergson's Elan Vital with a clearer understanding of the delicate function that language plays in revealing the secrets of being and existing. As language develops, it moves from being merely a tool to being a prism through which we perceive and express the dynamic aspect of life, transcending the bounds of the physical and engaging with the profound depths of existence.
Elan Vital by Bergson explores the relationship between language and philosophy, illuminating the transformative power of language and the intricate dance between expression and perception. We are able to embrace the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of reality itself through language, transcending the limitations of the physical and obtaining insight into the depths of our own experiences.
In order to investigate the mysteries of life via the prism of language and to fully appreciate the endless possibilities it offers, let's immerse ourselves in this in-depth research, guided by Elan Vital's insight from Bergson.
N.B (Latin nota bene=Note Well):
Note that while this writing exercise was inspired by Dr. Michael Sugrue's lectures, the final product may not always reflect his opinions. The lectures given by Dr. Michael Sugrue are available on his YouTube channel.
Postscript:
‘The argument is mostly made using powerful metaphors and analogies. For instance, life is compared to a wave that spreads outward towards a circle and breaks only at one point, and to an artillery shell that explodes and sends new shells flying.’
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2018, March 6). creative evolution. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/creative-evolution-philosophy
