30

The purpose of this paper is to show how Bergson’s reading of Kant, far from leading to brief watchword, implies a partial re-appropriation, a precise critique, and a final objection that together lead to the heart of a profound relationship between two irreducible philosophies. The partial endorsement of Kant’s distinction between intelligence and intuition, and even between matter and form of intuition itself, must only be understood as an ironic homage. It helps in the understanding of the unity Bergson advocates against Kant, first between the matter and form of intuition, in terms of time, then between intuition and intelligence itself, from L’évolution créatrice. That unity helps to understand why intelligence is seen apart from practical intuition in Bergson’s last great book. Intelligence or understanding is thus “won” in a double way; not only as surpassed, but also as penetrated by intuition, up to a last limit, revealing a peculiar difference, at the heart of a common problem.