BERGSON’S NOTION OF PERCEPTION

Abstract

The difference of nature between pure perception and pure memory plays animportant role in Bergson’s philosophy. Perception is defined in the theory of asubjective imagesas an aphenomenal experience of things themselves. According to Bergson, only the melange ofperception and memory in concrete experience results in the illusion of the interiority of perception.The description of corporeal selection is at the same time the description of the genesis of subjectivityand objectivity. These are necessary illusions; however, they are not a priori illusions, but pragmaticones. The critique of intelligence as the organizer of the row perception – affection – action can beunderstood as a necessary extension of the theory of pure perception. The author points at the mostimportant difficulties of Bergson’s theory, especially in respect of the question of pure perceptionand irrelevant images.