Why is Henri Bergson considered a philosopher of process?

Henri Bergson is considered a foundational figure in process philosophy because he rejected static, mechanistic views of reality in favor of a framework centered on motion, change, and evolution.1

His classification as a process metaphysician stems from several key insights:

• Emphasis on Duration: Bergson argued that scientific time—measured by clocks—is a spatialized, artificial construct that eliminates true "duration." He maintained that lived time is a continuous, qualitative flow that cannot be quantified or divided without falsifying the nature of experience.2
• Rejection of Determinism: By distinguishing between the orderly, geometric evolution of matter and the unpredictable creativity of the élan vital (life force), he challenged deterministic theories that viewed the universe as governed solely by existing forces or fixed future aims.3
• Focus on Becoming: Bergson viewed reality as a process of constant becoming, where the life force acts as a creative, diverging influence that introduces novelty and free emergence into the world.3

Through these concepts, Bergson shifted the philosophical focus from static substances to the dynamic, evolving nature of existence.1