Intuitive Judgment And Bergson

Intuitive Judgment and Bergson By Anthony J. Fejfar, B.A., J.D., Esq., Coif © Copyright 2009 by Anthony J. Fejfar In his book “Creative Mind,” in the chapter, “Introduction to Metaphysics,” the Philosopher, Henri Bergson, distinguishes relative knowledge from direct knowledge based upon Intuition. Bergson’s discussion is consistent with Zen Realism and Critical Thomism. Recall that Plato and Aristotle discuss three levels of Consciousness or Reality, which are: 3. Spiritual/Intellectual Mind 2.

Soul/Analytic Mind

1.

Body/Senses Mind

Now, Zen Realism tells us that the World of Sense Experience of Level I is illusory and that the World of Understanding of Level 2 is relative, while the World of Intellect or Spirit is a World of Real Fact.

Following Bergson, Level 2 thinking is

relative, while Level 3 Intuition reaches the object of perception directly with an Intuitive Intellectual Sympathy. Thus, Bernard Lonergan teaches us that we do not know the Real with the Cognitive Operation of Experience at Level 1, nor do we know the Real with the Cognitive Operation of Understaninding at Level 2, but instead, we know the Real with Experience, Understanding and (Intuitive) Judgment at Level 3.