Rethinking Politeness with Henri Bergson

This book offers a fresh translation of an important essay by Henri Bergson, exploring the nuances of politeness and its implications for social theory.

The book Rethinking Politeness with Henri Bergson presents the first English translation of a lesser-known essay by the influential French philosopher Henri Bergson, focusing on the classifications of politeness acts. This translation is accompanied by a collection of essays from various scholars who critically engage with Bergson's ideas, providing a fresh perspective on politeness as a significant aspect of human sociability. The work aims to recontextualize politeness within broader social theories and discussions.

In 1885, Henri Bergson delivered a lecture to a group of French high school students, discussing the concept of politeness. Despite Bergson's later prominence as a philosopher, this particular essay remains relatively obscure, even though it lays the groundwork for his more extensive theories. Rethinking Politeness with Henri Bergson not only translates the original essay, titled Discours sur la Politesse, but also compiles insights from leading linguistic anthropologists who expand upon Bergson's foundational concepts.

At the heart of Bergson's essay is a tripartite classification of politeness acts: politesse des manières (politeness of manners), politesse de l'esprit (politeness of mind/spirit), and politesse du coeur (politeness of the heart). These categories highlight a hierarchy of intersubjective attunement and ethical aspirations, urging a departure from habitual behaviors that inhibit our ability to assist others. The essays in this volume collectively explore the ideological, socio-historical, and material influences that shape perceptions of the ideal social agent, advocating for a rethinking of politeness that connects to broader themes of civility, citizenship, and democracy.