<p>Inspired by Kitaro Nishida’s concept of pure experience this thesis analyses Bergson’s concept of experience with the intention of showing how experience is related to duration and how this in turn destabilizes certain tendencies towards subjectivism that can be found in Bergson’s work. This is accomplished through a reading of Matter and memory, Creative Evolution and Introduction to metaphysics that tries to desintegrate both subject and object in favor of duration. The thesis arrives at describing the combination of duration and non-subjective and supra-individual experience as a polyrhythmic movement.</p>

Inspired by Kitaro Nishida’s concept of pure experience this thesis analyses Bergson’s concept of experience with the intention of showing how experience is related to duration and how this in turn destabilizes certain tendencies towards subjectivism that can be found in Bergson’s work. This is accomplished through a reading of Matter and memory, Creative Evolution and Introduction to metaphysics that tries to desintegrate both subject and object in favor of duration. The thesis arrives at describing the combination of duration and non-subjective and supra-individual experience as a polyrhythmic movement.

My thesis is about Virginia Woolf’s novels, Mrs. Dalloway, The Waves, and To the Lighthouse. I examine these novels in relation to the theories of Henri Bergson, William James, and Sigmund Freud, and the groundwork of Modernism. I relate Woolf's use of water imagery and stream of consciousness technique to Bergson’s theory of “la durée,” or psychological, subjective time, James’ “stream of consciousness” theory in psychology, and Freud’s theory of the “oceanic” feeling of religious experience.

Aquesta tesi pretén obrir un nou focus de discussió amb relació al problema entre els marges de la ciència i la filosofia. Hem centrat aquesta discussió, però, en el debat entre Einstein i Bergson sobre el temps. La nostra tesi parteix de la convicció que la definició de temps no s'entén si no ens aproximem a l'obra d'un autor des de la dimensió específicament discursiva, atès que creiem que, en filosofia, la constitució de sentit depèn d'un procés discursiu i que és possible aprehendre una part important dels suports lingüístics d'aquesta activitat especulativa. Volem, doncs, comprendre quines operacions lingüístiques fan que es desenvolupi l'escriptura bergsoniana. També pretenem provar que els detractors de Bergson no han entès el marc discursiu que el text proposava i que la seva perspectiva era la d'un altre camp ideològic, el de la ciència, amb un univers lingüístic propi. Bergson critica el concepte de temps de la ciència, que la relativitat completa i culmina, perquè es contraposa a la duració segons la qual l'autor ens demana que pensem. En la ciència, el temps és posat al nivell de l'espai com una quarta dimensió de l'espai. El mètode científic falseja, segons Bergson, el real perquè només s'interessa per allò que pot ser traduït en conceptes. Per això, el nostre treball mostra com la ciència avança gràcies als conceptes més que no pas a les teories. Des d'aquesta visió epistemològica, podrem entendre quina és la "metafísica implícita" d'aquests conceptes. Per exemplificar-ho, ens fixarem en el concepte de simultaneïtat i veurem com el mètode científic pressuposa una realitat divisible en moments estables i autònoms. La nostra conclusió és que la discussió entre Einstein i Bergson cal entendre-la com una discussió entre posicions ontològiques i epistemològiques divergents. Einstein deixa de fer ciència quan utilitza el llenguatge verbal i prescindeix dels símbols. Ara bé, des del moment en què Einstein s'endinsa en aquest nou àmbit, els conceptes científics perden tota la garantia que tenien en el terreny dels símbols científics. Aleshores, la discussió sobre el temps passa a ser una discussió filosòfica. Per tant, Bergson s'equivoca quan pretén fer dir a Einstein el que Einstein no diu i quan discuteix qüestions científiques. Einstein l'erra en no voler admetre que fa filosofia i que, per tant, la seva definició de temps ha adquirit una nova perspectiva. / This thesis tries to open a new focus of discussion around the limits of science and philosophy. But we have centred this problem in the controversy between Einstein and Bergson about time. Our thesis maintains that a study from a discursive dimension it's necessary if we want to understand this controversy. We think that the constitution of sense depends of a discursive process in philosophy. Also, we think that it's possible to apprehend an important part of the linguistics supports of this speculative activity. We want to understand the linguistics operations that permit the development of the bergsonian writing and we try to prove that the Bergson's detractors don't understand the discursive background proposed by the text. Their perspective is the perspective of another ideological ambit: the science's ambit, whit an own linguistic universe. Bergson criticizes the science's concept of time, the theory of relativity represents the culmination of this conception and it's opposed to the Bergson's duration. The science's time is placed at the same level that the space like a fourth dimension of space. The scientific method adulterates, according to Bergson, the reality because it is interested in something that can be expressed by concepts. That's why this thesis explains that the science progresses thanks to the concepts more than to the theories. From this epistemological perspective, we can understand the "implicit metaphysic" of these concepts. In order to illustrate our thesis, we pay on attention to the concept of simultaneity and to the scientific method that presupposes a reality divisible in stable and autonomous moments. The conclusion is that it's necessary to understand the controversy between Einstein and Bergson like a debate between ontological and epistemological postures completely divergents. Einstein leaves the scientific ambit when he uses the verbal language and dispenses with the symbols. Nevertheless, when he utilizes the verbal language, the scientific concepts lose the guaranty that they had in the ambit of scientific ambit. Then, the controversy about time becomes a philosophical controversy.

La présente recherche vise à expérimenter l'assistance informatique au processus d'analyse conceptuelle en philosophie. L'objectif spécifique de recherche consiste à explorer la portée d'un traitement informatique d'assistance à l'analyse du concept d'« évolution » dans l'œuvre d'Henri Bergson. Le traitement expérimenté (traitement LACTAO) repose sur l'hypothèse générale selon laquelle des processus de classification et de catégorisation, lorsque combinés au sein d'une chaîne de traitement, peuvent assister le chercheur dans la lecture et l'analyse exploratoire des propriétés d'un concept philosophique. Afin de mieux comprendre la problématique de l'assistance informatique à l'analyse des concepts de nature philosophique, nous faisons dans un premier temps un tour d'horizon des principaux outils et approches d'analyse des données textuelles, puis, dans un deuxième temps, nous abordons certains des principes théoriques qui sous-tendent les méthodes d'analyse conceptuelle issues de l'approche cognitiviste, de la théorie des espaces conceptuels (Gardenfors, 2000) ainsi que des approches discursives. À la suite de ces éléments théoriques, nous présentons la méthode particulière d'analyse conceptuelle qui est visée par l'expérimentation du traitement LACTAO dans l'analyse du concept d'« évolution » dans l’œuvre de Bergson. L'aspect informatique de la présente recherche est présenté par le biais de la description détaillée des différentes étapes de la chaîne de traitement LACTAO, des principaux postulats qui la sous-tendent et des choix d'opérationnalisation qu'elle suscite au sein de la méthode d'analyse du concept d'« évolution ». Les résultats de l'expérimentation du traitement sont présentés de façon à démontrer la portée de ce dernier dans l'assistance à un processus de lecture et d'analyse exploratoire en contexte de recherche. Nous proposons en conclusion une interprétation des résultats obtenus sous l'angle de la théorie des espaces conceptuels (Gardenfors, 2000) ainsi que des pistes de réflexion qui permettraient d'améliorer la portée du traitement au sein d'expérimentations futures. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : analyse conceptuelle en philosophie, analyse de textes assistée par ordinateur, Henri Bergson, espaces conceptuels, corpus philosophique, méthodologie, classification textuelle.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Communication and Culture. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-91). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR38821

Most adult human activities reflect a moral position. This thesis aims to show that art, as one form of human endeavour, follows suit. Consequently, art education should reflect this connection. In this thesis I make a philosophical investigation of one possible approach to art education. Furthermore, to be reflective of western society's emphasis on personal autonomy and authenticity, I contend that the only appropriate moral stance in education should be intuitive, non-calculating and non-utilitarian. / In order to philosophically illustrate and support my position, I use the aesthetic thoughts of Bergson and Nietzsche and put them in opposition. This is because they exemplify two opposite conceptions of morality that currently permeate society. Bergson's concept of aesthetics depends upon a stance of disinterest. Nietzsche's is utilitarian. The first exemplifies a humanist orientation that supports an altruistic morality and an aesthetics that puts emphasis on perception. This ethical position actually emerges from an active consciousness, a personal mode of being. On the other hand, Nietzsche's stance is a precursor to one strand of postmodern thought that may be described as a pragmatism oriented towards the achievement of power. This attitude excludes any possible form of disinterestedness. Indeed, Nietzscheism espouses a "noble egoism" and an impersonal mode of being that breeds a narcissistic and immature form of artistic creation. This is a creation that becomes a glorification and edification of oneself, albeit an impersonal self. This is a narcissistic attitude that finds an echo in some trends of contemporary art. / In regard to contemporary art, I argue that Nietzsche's influence may be seen in a deviant utilitarian morality that results in a scientistic and anti-aesthetic artistic current. This is a nihilistic trend evident in the work of artists such as Marcel Duchamp. As an alternative, I propose a Bergsonian "ethico-aesthetic" conception of art, inspired and encompassed by disinterestedness as a mature pedagogical value. From this perspective, instead of a neutral attitude, we maintain a more empathic position toward life and art. This altruistic morality produces a responsible and sensible art---concerned with the creation of common grounds. This suggests a need for a form of creation that unfolds from what Bergson could term a "mysterious" sentiment of obligation to bear witness to beauty, in all its forms, as a precisely non-utilitarian and disinterested experience of perception.

The dissertation investigates Heidegger‘s thinking of being in terms of its relation to the philosophy of Aristotle. Whereas Heidegger‘s texts committed to reconstructing Aristotle‘s philosophy were released and started being translated to other languages relatively recently, the German‘s thinking has so far been rather poorly understood both in Lithuania and in the rest of the world. The Heideggerian phenomenological-hermeneutical exegesis of Aristotle‘s texts is apparently essential not only to the project of Being and Time but also to the thought developed after „the Turn“. When the thinking of the philosopher of the Black Forest is viewed in the background of interpreting Aristotle‘s philosophy, one can also better understand its historic(al) dimension, its relation to the pre-modern (ancient and medieval-Christian), modern and post-modern paradigms. The dissertation defends the thesis that the philosophy of Heidegger as a whole is a double move of destructuring and more primordially restructuring the philosophy of Aristotle (and – together – the Cartesian philosophy that conceptually as well as historically is dependent on Greek ontology). This move is performed by construing the basic concepts of Aristotle in terms of the twofold of being and entity which is enabled by the Christian experience of creatio ex nihilo. Furthermore, the construction of the philosophy of Aristotle in terms of the ontological difference is also a critique of modern and post-moderns paradigms... [to full text] / Disertacijoje tiriamas Heideggerio būties mąstymas jo santykio su Aristotelio filosofija požiūriu. Kadangi Heideggerio tekstai, skirti Aristotelio filosofijos rekonstrukcijai, buvo išleisti ir pradėti versti į kitas kalbas palyginti neseniai, šiuo požiūriu vokiečio mąstymas kol kas gan menkai suprastas ne tik Lietuvoje, bet ir likusiame pasaulyje. Haidegeriškoji fenomenologinė-hermeneutinė Aristotelio tekstų egzegezė, regis, ne tik esminga Būties ir laiko projektui, bet ir po „posūkio“ skleidžiamai minčiai. Žvelgiant į Juodosios Girios filosofo mąstymą Aristotelio filosofijos aiškinimo fone, galima geriau suprasti ir Heideggerio filosofijos istorinį matmenį, jos santykį su ikimoderniąja (antikine ir viduramžiškąja-krikščioniškąja), moderniąja ir postmoderniąja paradigmomis. Disertacijoje ginama tezė, jog Heideggerio filosofija kaip visuma yra dvigubas Aristotelio filosofijos (ir sykiu – nuo graikiškosios ontologijos konceptualiai ir istoriškai priklausomos karteziškosios filosofijos) išardymo ir pirmapradiškesnio atkūrimo judesys. Šis judesys atliekamas Aristotelio pamatines sąvokas aiškinant būties ir esinio dvisklaidos požiūriu, kurį leidžia krikščioniškoji creatio ex nihilo patirtis. Be to, Aristotelio filosofijos aiškinimas ontologinio skirtumo požiūriu yra ir moderniosios bei postmoderniosios paradigmų kritika, nes jos istoriškai ir konceptualiai siejamos su graikų ontologijoje taip pat glūdinčia būties užmarštimi kaip neautentiška šios ontologijos išsklaidos galimybe. ... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Disertacijoje tiriamas Heideggerio būties mąstymas jo santykio su Aristotelio filosofija požiūriu. Kadangi Heideggerio tekstai, skirti Aristotelio filosofijos rekonstrukcijai, buvo išleisti ir pradėti versti į kitas kalbas palyginti neseniai, šiuo požiūriu vokiečio mąstymas kol kas gan menkai suprastas ne tik Lietuvoje, bet ir likusiame pasaulyje. Haidegeriškoji fenomenologinė-hermeneutinė Aristotelio tekstų egzegezė, regis, ne tik esminga "Būties ir laiko" projektui, bet ir po „posūkio“ skleidžiamai minčiai. Žvelgiant į Juodosios Girios filosofo mąstymą Aristotelio filosofijos aiškinimo fone, galima geriau suprasti ir Heideggerio filosofijos istorinį matmenį, jos santykį su ikimoderniąja (antikine ir viduramžiškąja-krikščioniškąja), moderniąja ir postmoderniąja paradigmomis. Disertacijoje ginama tezė, jog Heideggerio filosofija kaip visuma yra dvigubas Aristotelio filosofijos (ir sykiu – nuo graikiškosios ontologijos konceptualiai ir istoriškai priklausomos karteziškosios filosofijos) išardymo ir pirmapradiškesnio atkūrimo judesys. Šis judesys atliekamas Aristotelio pamatines sąvokas aiškinant būties ir esinio dvisklaidos požiūriu, kurį leidžia krikščioniškoji creatio ex nihilo patirtis. Be to, Aristotelio filosofijos aiškinimas ontologinio skirtumo požiūriu yra ir moderniosios bei postmoderniosios paradigmų kritika, nes jos istoriškai ir konceptualiai siejamos su graikų ontologijoje taip pat glūdinčia būties užmarštimi kaip neautentiška šios ontologijos išsklaidos galimybe... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The dissertation investigates Heidegger‘s thinking of being in terms of its relation to the philosophy of Aristotle. Whereas Heidegger‘s texts committed to reconstructing Aristotle‘s philosophy were released and started being translated to other languages relatively recently, the German‘s thinking has so far been rather poorly understood both in Lithuania and in the rest of the world. The Heideggerian phenomenological-hermeneutical exegesis of Aristotle‘s texts is apparently essential not only to the project of 'Being and Time' but also to the thought developed after 'the Turn'. When the thinking of the philosopher of the Black Forest is viewed in the background of interpreting Aristotle‘s philosophy, one can also better understand its historic(al) dimension, its relation to the pre-modern (ancient and medieval-Christian), modern and post-modern paradigms. The dissertation defends the thesis that the philosophy of Heidegger as a whole is a double move of destructuring and more primordially restructuring the philosophy of Aristotle (and – together – the Cartesian philosophy that conceptually as well as historically is dependent on Greek ontology). This move is performed by construing the basic concepts of Aristotle in terms of the twofold of being and entity which is enabled by the Christian experience of creatio ex nihilo. Furthermore, the construction of the philosophy of Aristotle in terms of the ontological difference is also a critique of modern and post-moderns... [to full text]

This study of Alain Robbe-Grillet’s first four published novels seeks to examine the manifestations of four different philosophical concepts in these works. Each novel will be taken as a primary example of Robbe-Grillet’s interrogation of either time, space, difference or repetition. The title of this work, ‘Philosophical Conceptions of Time, Space, Difference and Repetition in the Early Novels of Alain Robbe-Grillet’, as apparently uncomplicated as it is, is useful not only for directly implicating the topics to be examined, but also for what it does not directly allude to. By making reference neither to Robbe-Grillet’s involvement in the movement of the Nouveau Roman nor the theoretical ideas he developed, the title demonstrates one of the main approaches employed here; for Robbe-Grillet’s novels will be examined first and foremost for the textual qualities they exhibit, and will not be tested against the author’s statements, as is most often the case in studies of Robbe-Grillet. When examining these novels, we will thus neither support our study with quotations from Robbe-Grillet’s many interviews and public statements, nor concern ourselves with the apparent objectivity or subjectivity of the novels’ narrators, nor will we base our examinations of the philosophical concepts found in the novels on questions of subjectivity or objectivity. It will become clear throughout our work that Robbe-Grillet’s novels, particularly the early novels that are the focus of this work, have been very well researched and from many different perspectives, yet in spite of the proliferation of texts dealing with these novels certain standard readings have evolved that impinge on the advancement of our understanding of Robbe-Grillet’s complex works. We will argue that this is precisely because these readings actually negate the multiple interpretations that the novels demand and that these standardised readings therefore work as fixed central points around which almost all analyses of the novels revolve. It is thus the aim of this work to complicate these dominant readings by engaging with the ways in which the novels both offer and deny different interpretations, a strategy that ultimately results in the impossibility of a sole fixed reading. In choosing this approach to study the novels, we wish to concentrate solely on the non-representative aspects of these novels. That is to say, the novels will not be treated here, as they are by many critics, for the way they present themselves on the surface as merely concerned with an interrogation of narrative strategies, characterisation or with an application of Robbe-Grillet’s theoretical modus operandi. Rather we will argue that the texts simultaneously invite a deeper reflection on philosophical concepts. The possibility the novels offer to consider the four philosophical concepts that are the focus of this study will be remarked by the novels’ continual engagement with these ideas so as to suggest finally the opportunity of conceiving of these concepts in a literary discourse. Thus, the philosophical concepts which will be deployed in examining Robbe-Grillet’s novels aim to elucidate not strict equivalences between a given concept and its expression in the novel, but rather the ways in which the novels themselves can be seen to propose their own conceptions of these philosophical notions. Thus, each of these chapters will ostensibly deal with a particular philosophical notion, yet they can be seen to work towards a similar shared goal; for each section of this study will propose that it is impossible to isolate a single unifying thesis or central controlling identity through which the texts can be examined. Instead, we will suggest that the novels are governed by a logic of difference in itself, a philosophical notion which, as we will see throughout this work, operates outside of the notion of identity and which favours fluid, unstable and continuously evolving relationships of its constituent parts.