Time, Life & Memory

Bergson and Contemporary Science
2. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-3-032-46091-2
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 229 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm

Reihe: Library of Ethics and Applied Philosophy

This second and revised edition of revitalizes the ideas of Henri Bergson (1859-1941) for current developments in the exact sciences. It explores the relevance of Bergson's thought for contemporary philosophical reflections on three of the most important scientific research areas of today, namely physics, the life sciences and the neurosciences.

Henri Bergson (1859-1941) was one of the most widely read philosophers of his era. This work focuses on the relevance of Bergson’s philosophy for developments in exact sciences today. The book discusses physics in relation to the abstract and the concrete, the life sciences in relation to concepts of life and emerging biotechnology, and the neurosciences in relation to the dual nature of human identity. This discussion focuses on three main topics: time, isolated from experience, as the measure of the events in the universe in modern physics; life, as an autopoietic and negentropic phenomenon; and memory, in relation to imagination in the neurosciences. This forms the basis for a novel approach to the philosophy of technology. This book is of interest to scholars studying the interplay between the hard sciences and philosophy.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Landeweerd, Laurens

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften Interdisziplinär Neurowissenschaften, Kognitionswissenschaft
• Medizin | Veterinärmedizin Medizin | Public Health | Pharmazie | Zahnmedizin Klinische und Innere Medizin Neurologie, Klinische Neurowissenschaft
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Philosophie der Mathematik, Philosophie der Physik
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Wissenschaften: Theorie, Epistemologie, Methodik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Westliche Philosophie: 19. Jahrhundert
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Westliche Philosophie: 20./21. Jahrhundert
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Part 1.  Introducing Bergson.- 1. A philosophical orientation.- 2. Three keys.- 3. Outlining the objective of a study.- Part 2. Bergson and Three Science Domains.- 4. Time and life: Bergson and physics.- 5. Life and Time: Bergson and the life sciences.- 6. Time, life and memory: Bergson and neuroscience.- PArt 3. Towards a Bergsonian View on the Human Condition.- 7. To become Gods, or to perish in the process.- Conclusion.

Über Autor(innen)

Laurens Landeweerd (1976, dr.mult.) is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Biotechnology, Science Communication and Ethics at the Institute for Science in Society (ISiS), Radboud University. A philosopher working at the intersection of metaphysics, ontology and the philosophy of technology, his research explores how scientific and technological practices both reflect and shape fundamental conceptions of reality, nature and human existence. Because these ontological assumptions often remain implicit within scientific and engineering practice, his work aims to make them explicit, fostering both critical reflection within science and meaningful dialogue between science and society. This perspective informs his broader research on the intersections of science, technology, philosophy and society, with a particular focus on biotechnology, emerging technologies and their ethical and societal implications. He has edited two books, wrote two monographs and published around 40 peer-reviewed papers. Landeweerd studied Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam and Culture & Science at Maastricht University. His academic career has combined philosophy, science, technology and interdisciplinary science studies. Between 2002 and 2008, he investigated the role of human identity in genomics at Maastricht University, followed by research at the Department of Biotechnology at TU Delft (2007–2014). Since 2010, he has been affiliated with Radboud University's Institute for Science in Society, where he contributes to research and teaching on the societal dimensions of science and technology. He has held a position at Oslo and Akershus University of Applied Sciences (2014–2017) and is currently also affiliated to the interdisciplinary bachelor's programme at the Maastricht Academy of Arts (since 2017). Throughout his career, he has contributed to several European research projects on the philosophy and ethics of (bio)technology. Landeweerd’s work examines how scientific and technological innovation transforms the concepts through which people understand themselves, their environment and society. His research addresses the ontological and societal implications of emerging technologies, with particular attention to the reciprocal relationship between scientific knowledge, technological development and socio-cultural transformation.