Laws of nature, rules of society, and freedom: Bergson today. Introduction

Abstract This special issue of Continental Philosophy Review addresses the big questions of freedom and determinism (physical and social) from Bergson’s perspective. Starting from an analysis of the qualitative multiplicity of conscious states, Bergson puts forward a continuist and dynamic view of free action. Not only did Bergson formulate arguments in favor of freedom but he also came up with a new conceptual meaning of freedom, namely, freedom as the gradual transformation of a person that escapes both external determination and voluntary self-determination. This special issue brings together contributions from leading scholars in the field, who examine the implications of Bergson’s reflections in both the philosophy of mind and action and in social theory, pointing to some striking affinities with analytical philosophy, one of them being the interest in dispelling false problems.