bergson, Spinoza, Rational Ordering

Bergson asserts that the sequence of successive inner states is a coherent but, in comparison with the necessary causal connectivity of Matter, a looser, indeterminate concatenation. In contrast, according to Spinoza's theory of Mind, the degree of coherence of those states is variable, a function of the degree of activeness of experience, with the most active, i. e. Rational experience, generating a connectivity that is equivalent to that of physical relations. Furthermore, according to Spinoza's Ethical theory, a Rational experience is superior to the loose and indeterminate one, because it constitutes Freedom. However, Bergson is unmoved by Spinozism, since he maintains that Rational ordering reflects an artificial accommodation of Mind to Matter, thereby compromising the native Freedom of indeterminate Consciousness. But, in a different context, Bergson implicitly undermines his resistance to Spinoza. For, he plainly appreciates Music, and it seems difficult for him to deny that Music impresses a greater coherence upon Consciousness, via Material means, i. e. the playing of instruments. Hence, that appreciation implicitly acknowledges that the coherence of the inner sequence is variable, that a more coherent sequence can be a superior one, and that the influence of Matter is irrelevant to the latter judgment. Now, such an acknowledgment is not an explicit concession to Spinozism, but it does undermine his grounds for rejecting that Rationalism.