Word: bergson
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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French Philosopher Henri Bergson identified as laughable "something mechanical incrusted upon the living"-his somewhat pedantic phrase for the essential dualism of life. Civilization, said Bergson, unfolds so rapidly that its creator, man, is hard put to keep up. As a result, both culture and language are full of outdated forms. When man is abruptly made aware of them, he responds with chastened or chastening laughter. Why do yesterday's fashions invariably strike us as comic? Because, Bergson thought, they expose the ludicrousness of all fashion-an effort by a creature, born naked, to wear and animate his wardrobe...