Matter and Memory - Classic Text | Alexandria
Matter and Memory, a philosophical treatise by Henri Bergson published in 1896, ventures into the elusive realms of perception, memory, and their intricate relationship with the material world, defying simple classification and urging a re-evaluation of what we consider "matter" and "mind." Often mistakenly perceived as a work of psychology alone, it is instead a profound exploration of metaphysics, challenging the rigid dualisms that have long dominated Western thought.
The genesis of Matter and Memory lies within a burgeoning intellectual climate grappling with the implications of evolutionary theory and the rise of scientific materialism. Bergson's direct engagement with contemporary interpretations of brain function and its connection to consciousness formed a basis for this work, aiming to dismantle the then-prevalent notion that the brain simply "stores" memories. Instead, Bergson argued that the brain acts as a filter, selecting from the vast reservoir of past experiences only those relevant to present action.
The book's influence rippled through diverse fields. It resonated with turn-of-the-century artists and writers seeking new ways to represent subjective experience, contributing to the development of stream-of-consciousness narrative techniques. However, Bergson's concepts also sparked debate within philosophical circles, challenging the established boundaries between idealism and realism. Intriguingly, the book foreshadows the ideas of enactivism in contemporary cognitive science, a point that often is not discussed in the criticism. Why is it the case the the book's ideas about perception being based on possible action have only recently being acknowledged?
Even today, Matter and Memory persists as a potent force, inviting us to question our deeply ingrained assumptions about the nature of reality. Modern scholars continue to grapple with its complex arguments, finding new relevance in its rejection of reductionism and its emphasis on the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of consciousness. Does Bergson's framework offer a key to understanding the hard problem of consciousness, or does it simply rearrange the furniture within the same outdated philosophical house?