'Evolution Creatrice' Summary

Henri Bergson's *Creative Evolution* (1907) presents a groundbreaking critique of traditional Darwinian evolutionary theory. Bergson argues that while natural selection plays a role, it is not the sole driving force behind evolution. Instead, he posits the existence of an 'élan vital' - a vital impulse or creative force - that resides within life itself and motivates the emergence of new forms and adaptations. This force, according to Bergson, is not a mechanical force but rather a creative and dynamic principle, leading to unpredictable and novel developments in the history of life. Bergson contrasts this 'creative evolution' with the mechanistic models of science, emphasizing the role of intuition and experience in understanding the complexities of life and evolution. He also explores the nature of time, proposing the concept of 'duration' as a subjective experience of time that is distinct from the objective, clock-based measurements. *Creative Evolution* has had a lasting impact on philosophy and continues to be a vital source of inspiration for thinkers interested in the nature of life, evolution, and the human experience.