Remarks on the metaphor of the organism in politics: the 'Principes de la philosophie du droit' and the 'Deux sources de la morale et de la religion'

Popper wrote that Hegel, as a thinker, is a forerunner of totalitarianism; on the other hand, one cannot but regard Bergson as a true democrat. Both however considered the politic body as an organism, a doctrine supporters of the totalitarian state favored. The assertion must not be underrated: neither thinker intended to use a metaphorical expression, hence a broad meaning of "organism". As a matter of fact the organicity of a politic body, far from threatening individual freedom, is the only form that proves compatible with individuality. The important thing is to distinguish all-made "organized organisation" from self-making "organizing organisation": the former treats individuals as mechanical entities, while the latter is the result of the self-development of their freedom.