Abstract

An appendix presents information on the conversion of Bergson to Catholicism. ;The works of Bergson mainly used were Creative Evolution, The Two Sources of Morality and Religion, and Matter and Memory. The works of Maritain mainly used were The Degrees of Knowledge and Bergsonian Philosophy and Thomism. An exhaustive treatment of the philosophy of religion of either the one man or the other would need to have considered other writings of both men. The books mentioned, it was considered by the author, emphasized the relationship between the two men. Though Maritain's Bergsonian Philosophy and Thomism was his first work, it was considered by Maritain to be an accurate statement of his relationship to Bergson, though not always expressed with the modesty his maturity would have desired. The Degrees of Knowledge was, of course, Maritain's magnum opus. ;Chapter III, "The Meaning of God," begins with a discussion of the meaning of the word "God." Bergson's view of Plato and Aristotle is presented and his belief that these two have had a harmful effect on men's thought of the deity. Presented are Bergson's definitions of God, the contributions of the mystics, and the conveniences following from Bergson's definitions of the deity. Maritain's presentation includes his unhappiness with the modern world and a criticism of Bergson. Maritain rests on the Thomistic definitions of God. ;Chapter IV, "The Nature of Man," is an analysis of that subject based on the Chapter "Man" in Maritain's Bergsonian Philosophy and Thomism. As the parallel subject matter is found in Bergson's Matter and Memory, that book is used as the basis for Bergson's presentation. ;Chapter V, "Conclusion," is an appreciation of both men, using secondary sources. The author shows himself as favoring Bergson rather than Maritain. ;Chapter I, "Introduction," presents the biographical data of the two men, including their formative influences. ;Chapter II, "Mysticism," discusses emotion, empiricism, and the need for discipline; supernaturalism and the supremacy of faith; the void; mysticism and action; the philosophical roots of the two men; an appreciation of the two men, and their limitations