Creative Evolution

In "Creative Evolution," published in 1907, French philosopher Henri Bergson presents a unique theory of evolution that emphasizes a vital impulse, or "élan vital," as the driving force behind creative development rather than Darwinian mechanisms. The book introduces Bergson's concept of "duration," reflecting on the subjective experience of time in contrast to measurable clock time, and suggests that understanding this experience requires intuition. Through vivid metaphor and analogy, Bergson illustrates his ideas, proposing that individual intelligence can emerge freely, distinct from deterministic views of evolution.