An Introduction to Metaphysics

An Introduction to Metaphysics by Henri Bergson, first published in 1903, is a concise yet profound work that outlines his philosophical method and offers a striking alternative to traditional metaphysical thinking. In this influential essay, Bergson argues that reality can only be truly understood through intuition rather than intellect, which he believes spatialises and distorts the fluid nature of lived experience.

Bergson critiques the mechanistic, analytical approaches of science and rationalism for failing to grasp the dynamic, continuous flow of time, what he famously calls duration (la durée). He proposes that metaphysics must turn inward, embracing a direct, experiential understanding of consciousness to grasp the essence of being.

This foundational work offers a gateway into Bergson’s broader philosophy and is essential reading for those interested in metaphysics, phenomenology, and the philosophy of time. Its emphasis on inner experience and non-linear thought influenced later thinkers such as Gilles Deleuze and remains a compelling challenge to abstract, conceptual systems of knowledge.

Product Details:

• ISBN: 0521533686
• EAN: 9780521533683
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Binding: Paperback
• Copyright Date: 2010
• Pub Date: May 17, 2010
• Physical Info: 1.78 cms H x 24.38 cms L x 17.27 cms W (0.52 kgs), 274 pages