意思是說，死不足畏，「生大于死」的「生」（vitality)，仍有待于，人的形上學的一廂情願 （意思是說，elan vital 既然是形上的力量，當然需要形上學的願力，方足以與之相應），這是為什麼，我們需要車行形上學的原因，
It’s tempting to equate élan vital with biophilia, the love of life and living things, but they are not entirely the same concept. However, élan vital can be seen as having qualities of biophilia in that it emphasizes a life-affirming, creative force that drives the evolution of living beings. The idea that it will triumph over human destructiveness depends on how we interpret both concepts in relation to human agency and the unfolding of life.
1. Élan Vital and Biophilia:
While élan vital refers to the life force that propels growth and creativity, biophilia, as described by psychologist Erich Fromm and biologist E.O. Wilson, is a psychological tendency or innate affinity humans have for life and living organisms. In this sense, biophilia is more about human attitudes and emotions toward life, while élan vital is a metaphysical force inherent in all living organisms. They overlap in their affirmation of life, but élan vital is broader, encompassing not only human love for life but the very essence that drives life to evolve and thrive.
2. Triumph over Destructiveness?
If we view élan vital as an unstoppable, creative force inherent to life, then yes, we could argue that it will ultimately prevail over human destructiveness. Life, in its essence, is creative and forward-moving. Even in the face of destruction—be it war, environmental devastation, or technological damage—life continues to find ways to evolve, adapt, and persist. Human destructiveness may cause setbacks or create challenges, but the life force, in Bergson’s view, is not easily extinguished.
That said, the triumph of élan vital is not inevitable in a simple sense. Bergson’s philosophy doesn’t suggest that élan vital operates with a moral agenda or that it guarantees the survival of human civilization or individual species. Instead, it implies that life as a whole will continue to unfold and create, but the direction of that unfolding depends on how humans engage with this creative energy.
3. Human Role in This Process:
If we believe in the concept of biophilia—the intrinsic love and respect for life—then humanity has the potential to align itself with élan vital, using its creative energy in life-affirming ways. In this sense, biophilia can serve as the conscious, emotional expression of élan vital, urging humans to protect and enhance life rather than destroy it.
However, whether élan vital will triumph depends on human choices. If we cultivate biophilia and make decisions that reflect a reverence for life, then we actively participate in the life force’s triumph over destructiveness. If not, we might cause severe disruptions, though life itself may still persist in some form, even if humanity does not.
Conclusion:
While we can view élan vital as a force that has the potential to overcome human destructiveness due to its inherent creativity, the triumph of this life force in relation to human actions is not guaranteed. However, if humans nurture biophilia—an active love and respect for life—it increases the likelihood that élan vital will manifest in constructive, life-affirming ways, potentially leading to the triumph of creativity and growth over destruction.
