Science promises us well-being, or, at the most, pleasure, but philosophy, through the Intuition to which it leads us, is capable of bestowing upon us Joy.  The future belongs to such an intuitive philosophy, Bergson holds, for he considers that the whole progress of Evolution is towards the creation of a type of being whose Intuition will be equal to his Intelligence.  Finally, by Intuition we shall find ourselves in—­to invent a word—­“intunation” with the elan vital, with the Evolution of the whole universe, and this absolute feeling of “at-one-ment” with the universe will result in that emotional synthesis which is deep Joy, which Wordsworth describes as: 

                                   “that blessed mood
      In which the burthen of the mystery,
      In which the heavy and the weary weight
      Of all this unintelligible world,
      Is lightened:—­that serene and blessed mood,
      In which the affections gently lead us on,—­
      Until, the breath of this corporeal frame
      And even the motion of our human blood
      Almost suspended, we are laid asleep
      In body, and become a living soul: 
      While with an eye made quiet by the power
      Of harmony and the deep power of joy
      We see into the life of things.”

CHAPTER X

ETHICAL AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS

Anti-intellectualism and the State—­Syndicalism—­Class war, “direct action.”  Sorel advocates General Strike—­Bergson cited in support—­ Unfair use of Bergson’s view of reality—­His ethic—­Value of Will and Creativeness; not a supporter of impulse.  Development of personality.  Intuitive mind of woman.  Change and the moral life.

Bergson has not written explicitly upon Ethics.  In some quarters, however, so much has been made of Bergson as a supporter of certain ethical tendencies and certain social movements, that we must examine this question of ethical and political implications and try to ascertain how far this use of Bergson is justified.

Both ethical and political thought to-day are deriving fresh stimulation from the revision of many formulae, the modification of many conceptions which the War has inevitably caused.  At the same time the keen interest taken in studies like social psychology and political philosophy combines with a growing interest in movements such as Guild Socialism and Syndicalism.  The current which in philosophy sets against intellectualism, in the political realm sets against the State.  This political anti-intellectualism shows a definite tendency to belittle the State in comparison with economic or social groups.  “If social psychology tends to base the State as it is, on other than intellectual grounds, Syndicalism is prone to expect that non-intellectual forces will suffice to achieve the State as it should be.” [Footnote:  Ernest Barker in his Political Thought in England from Herbert Spencer to the Present Day, p. 248.] Other tendencies of the same type are noticeable.  For example, Mr. Bertrand Russell’s work on The Principles of Social Reconstruction is based on the view that impulse is a larger factor in our social life than conscious purpose.