Henri Bergson in a (Particular) Theological Context

Undergraduate / Graduate

In this course, we will consider two works of Henri Bergson - in their own right and, in each case, as they relate to an important idea from a major Christian theologian. First, we will examine Bergson's Creative Evolution. In addition to evaluating this work in the light of modern evolutionary biology, we will examine its view of life and of time in the context of Augustine's concepts of creation and time in Book XI of Confessions. Second, we will examine Bergson's Matter and Memory. In addition to evaluating this work in the light of modern neuroscience, we will examine its view of the incorporeality of the intellect in relation to a similar concept in Thomas Aquinas (the first part of his Treatise on Human Nature in Summa Theologica Part I, Questions 75-89).