# Bergson — Human Nature and Conduct character guide

> Bergson in Human Nature and Conduct by John Dewey.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0002-human-nature-and-conduct

## Who they are

French philosopher mentioned for his ideas on time, impulse, and creativity.

## In the story

### [Custom and Habit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/iv-custom-and-habit)

Dewey critiques Bergson's separation of spirit and habit, and his concept of the élan vital as a blind creative force that may be destructive rather than creative.

### [Part II: The Place of Impulse in Conduct](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/part-ii-the-place-of-impulse-in-conduct)

Mentioned in relation to the concept of impulse and creative evolution.

### [V: Classification of Instincts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/v-classification-of-instincts)

Dewey references Bergson's philosophy in the context of impulse and the creative evolution of self, though indirectly through the discussion of ongoing process.

### [No Separate Instincts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/vi-no-separate-instincts)

Referenced indirectly via the critique of fixed instincts and the emphasis on change and variation.

### [Habit and Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/i-habit-and-intelligence)

Noted for his philosophy of intuition, which Dewey critiques as merely elaborating the popular notion that instinct constitutes knowledge.

### [The Nature of Principles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/vii-the-nature-of-principles)

Dewey briefly references Bergson to reject any dualism between fixed habit and pure flux, affirming instead a continuity of growth in moral principles.

### [Desire and Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/viii-desire-and-intelligence)

Alluded to in the context of critics who emphasize desire and creative impulse over intellect.

### [Morals Are Human](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/chapters/ii-morals-are-human)

Mentioned indirectly in the context of impulse and intelligence; Dewey's discussion of conflict as a gadfly to thought aligns with Bergson's emphasis on creative evolution.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/characters/bergson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/human_nature_and_conduct_se/characters