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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Journal | Volume | Article

143419

Bergson, human rights, and joy

Alexandre Lefebvre

pp. 201-223

Abstract

This article examines Henri Bergson's conception of human rights in The Two Sources of Morality and Religion (1932). I claim that he provides an original view of human rights. Rather than understand human rights primarily as an institution to protect all human beings from serious social, legal, and political abuse, Bergson conceives of them as a medium of personal transformation. In particular, I argue that for him the true potential of human rights is to initiate all human beings into a way of life open to love and joy.

Publication details

Published in:

(2017) Continental Philosophy Review 50 (2).

Pages: 201-223

DOI: 10.1007/s11007-017-9417-5

Full citation:

Lefebvre Alexandre (2017) „Bergson, human rights, and joy“. Continental Philosophy Review 50 (2), 201–223.