20
PARTISAN REVIEW
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type of thinking that is nearer to our essence than any purely logical
development of concepts can be-especially since it is generally im–
possible to give these concepts definitions that are not controversial.
The true value of philosophy is simply to lead thought back to
itself. This activity demands from
him
who would describe it, and
who would communicate what is revealed to
him
of
his
inner life, a
special application and even the invention of a manner of expression
suited to his purpose, for language exhausts itself at its own source.
At this point the full capacity of M. Bergson's genius showed itself.
:.
He dared to borrow from poetry its magical weapons and he com–
bined that power of poetry with that precision from which no mind
fed on the exact sciences can ever allow itself to deviate. He made
use of the most apt and novel metaphors and images to recreate in
the minds of others the discoveries which he had made in
his
own
and the results of
his
inner experiences. Out of this came a style
that did not need to
be
pedantic
in
order to become philosophical.
This confused and even shocked some people. But many were happy
to recognize in the flexibility and gracious richness of his language
certain peculiarly French graces and shadings which the previous
generation had regarded as something against which serious thinking
ought to be on guard. May I remark that this renewal was practically
contemporaneous with that produced in music by the appearance
,('
of the subtle and very graceful work of
Claud~
Achille Debussy. Both
were characteristic French reactions.
Nor was this all. Henri Bergson, great philosopher and great
writer, was also, as he should have been, a great friend of men. Per–
haps his mistake lay in believing that men were worthy of friendship.
>
He worked with
all
his heart for the union of minds and ideas, be–
(
lieving that these stand above political organisms and forces.-Though
is it not, perhaps, just the opposite that is bound to take place? Per-
haps we must regard as typically human the very varied anta onisms
that divide men-and prominent among these antagonisms is that
which brings the partisans and servants of this idea of unity into con–
flict with those who do not accept it and who regard it as a dangerous
delusion.
No doubt M. Bergson believed that the very fate of the spirit is
inseparable from the feeling of its presence and of its universal value;
in this, as' well as in other ways, he was at one with religious thought.
The meaning of life, even in it'l simplest and humblest manifesta-
