The aim of this article is to provide a full explication of Gilles Deleuze’s early engagement with Henri Bergson. Deleuze is one of the most important readers of Bergson, and Bergson is one of the most significant influences on Deleuze’s work, but the appreciation of their encounter often revolves around Deleuze’s book on Bergson. By focusing on Deleuze’s earlier writings on Bergson, without recourse to his later writings, it is hoped that an improved understanding can be gained of the genesis of Deleuze’s philosophy, and his Bergsonism in particular. After outlining the historical and philosophical context of Deleuze’s early engagements with Bergson, the majority of this article will explore the details of Deleuze’s first publications on Bergson. As we will see, the nature of being/becoming and time are integral elements of Deleuze’s early Bergson, contouring his future work, which I will touch on in the concluding section of the article.
Craig Lundy (Wed,) studied this question.