Beyond Bergson : Examining Race and Colonialism Through the Writings of Henri Bergson

Examines Bergson’s work from the perspectives of critical philosophy of race and decolonial theory, placing it in conversation with theorists from Africa, the African Diaspora, and Latin America. Building upon recent interest in Henri Bergson’s social and political philosophy, this volume offers a series of fresh and novel perspectives on Bergson’s writings through the lenses of critical philosophy of race and decolonial theory. Contributors place Bergson’s work in conversation with theorists from Africa, the African Diaspora, and Latin America to examine Bergson’s influence on literature, science studies, aesthetics, metaphysics, and social and political philosophy within these geopolitical contexts. The volume pays particular attention to both theoretical and practical forms of critical resistance work, including historical analyses of anti-racist, anti-imperialist, and anti-capitalist movements that have engaged with Bergson’s writings—for example, the Négritude movement, the Indigenismo movement, and the Peruvian Socialist Party. These historical and theoretical intersections provide a timely and innovative contribution to the existing scholarship on Bergson, and demonstrate the importance of his thought for contemporary social and political issues. Andrea J. Pitts is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. Mark William Westmoreland is a doctoral candidate and instructor of ethics and philosophy at Villanova University. "Building upon recent interest in Henri Bergson's social and political philosophy, this volume highlights extensions and critiques of Bergson's writings through the lenses of critical philosophy of race and decolonial theory. Placing Bergson's work in conversation with theorists from Africa, the African Diaspora, and Latin America, the contributors examine Bergson's influence within literature, science studies, aesthetics, metaphysics, and social and political philosophy to show the role that his work has played within differing geopolitical contexts. The volume pays particular attention to both theoretical and practical forms of critical resistance work, including historical analyses of decolonial and anti-racist movements that have engaged with Bergson's writings, for instance, the Négritude movement, the Indigenismo movement, and the Peruvian Socialist Party. These historical and theoretical intersections provide a timely and innovative contribution to the existing scholarship on Bergson, and demonstrates the importance of Bergson's thought for contemporary social and political issues"-- Provided by publisher