A Pre-WWI French Philosopher Was More Popular Than Elvis and Possibly Entered the US Into the Great War

In New York City, 1913, French philosopher Henri Bergson gave a lecture at Columbia University, resulting in fanfare, traffic jams, and even fainting spells among the thousands of people clamoring for a seat. But this was not Bergson’s only taste of celebrity. When he got married in 1891, Marcel Proust served as his best man. In 1917, the French government sent him to the United States to convince Woodrow Wilson to join World War I. In the early 1920s, he debated the nature of time with Albert Einstein. Once an international celebrity acclaimed for his philosophy of creativity and freedom in a changing, industrializing world, Bergson has since faded into obscurity among English speakers. But as we contend with another century of rapid technological advancements and environmental decay, Bergson’s philosophies may be more relevant today than ever before.

Now only known among scholars, French philosopher Henri Bergson achieved international fame in the years before World War I by inspiring a generation worried that new scientific discoveries had reduced human existence to a cold mechanical process. As new facial recognition and artificial intelligence technologies have us fearing for our freedom and humanity, we can find philosophical inspiration in a surprising source, by looking back to the thinker of radical change and creativity in the early 20th century. 

Today’s guest is Emily Herring, author of “Herald of a Restless World: How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People.” It reminds us of an influential philosopher who deserves to be remembered as a both an icon of 20th century culture and an unexpected source of inspiration in turbulent times.

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