The Henri Bergson Society
No dues, clandestine meetings, or secret handshakes required.
Who was Henri Bergson?
Henri Bergson (1859–1941) was one of the most famous and influential French philosophers of the late 19th century-early 20th century.
His famous quote from "On Intuition vs. Intellect" 1907.
"Fortunately, some are born with spiritual immune systems that sooner or later give rejection to the illusory worldview grafted upon them from birth through social conditioning. They begin sensing that something is amiss, and start looking for answers. Inner knowledge and anomalous outer experiences show them a side of reality others are oblivious to, and so begins their journey of awakening. Each step of the journey is made by following the heart instead of following the crowd and by choosing knowledge over the veils of ignorance."
Why this quote resonates nearly 120 years later
If you are a vegan (for ethical reasons), unvaccinated (Covid), or don't feel any affiliation with a major political party, or you just have nagging questions about your reality as part of your ongoing search for the truth, you may have asked yourself, "How come I can see through these accepted societal beliefs, propaganda, and illusions while others don't or can't?"
Perhaps you have the courage to do some self-inquiry
Questioning our long held beliefs that have been imprinted on us through social conditioning (mostly on a subconscious level) since childhood can be a scary endeavor. Just try to broach the subject with someone and they will react with a fight or flight response. Curious of all, the level of one's intelligence doesn't seem to play a factor.
Maybe one of the positive things about the internet is that we can easily find "kindred spirits" So if you recognize yourself in the above quote, you are not alone. Welcome to the Bergson Society. You are home.
-Lazlo
From the Matrix-
It's like the speech Morpheus gives Neo: "What you know you can’t explain. But you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life. That there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind driving you mad."
"An unexamined life is not worth living."
The quote is found in Plato's Apology, where Socrates is defending himself against charges of corrupting the youth and impiety.
Socratic Philosophy:
Socrates believed that true wisdom comes from self-knowledge and continuous questioning, not just accepting things at face value.
Meaning:
Meaning and Purpose: Socrates suggests that a life without examination is devoid of meaning and purpose.
Self-Reflection: It encourages people to examine their beliefs, values, and actions to live a more fulfilling life.
Intellectual Inquiry: It highlights the importance of intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.
Living a Good Life: Socrates believed that by striving to understand ourselves and the world around us, we can live a more meaningful and virtuous life.