How to read Gustav Jung?

Paul B.

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Themes

Carl Gustav Jung, Sigmund Freud, Classical school, Developmental School, Archetypal school, critical thinking, inner psyche, mind, matter, conscious, rational science, religion, alchemy, fairytale, mythology, Marie-Louise Von Franz, psychology, unconscious

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Abstract

Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychologist who lived from 1875 to 1961. His fame and status are second only to Sigmund Freud concerning the establishment of psychology as a field of knowledge. Jung is largely responsible for the term "Complex or Complexes" being used in the English language. And other terms such as projections and archetypes are also associated with him. However, this paper will not discuss nor evaluate Jung's psychology. Rather, as the title says this article will advise the reader on how to go about reading Jung in order to (as quickly as possible) establish a sense of what his psychology is all about.

Reading Jungian Texts
Reading Jung's Collected Works
How to Read Jung on Psyche and Matter?
1. Introduction
2. Mind & Matter: Jungian Texts
How to read Jung on Mythology and Fairy Tales?
1. Introduction
2. Jung (and Jungian) Texts on Mythology and Fairy tales
How to Read the Post-Jungians?
1. Introduction
2. Post-Jungian texts
Is Jungian analytical psychology Scientific?
1. Introduction
2. Jung and Fordham on the Scientific validity of his Psychology
3. Neumann's Argument That Jung's Psychology IS Universal and Scientific

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[...] He believed that evidence had to be linked to the discipline that the researcher was dealing with. Hence Jung argued, "The question ought to be formulated: what is physical, biological, psychological, legal and philosophical evidence?" (Jung, in Shamdasani p. 99). So Jung argued that there was a bias concerning what was regarded as scientific, again referring to physics and chemistry. Moreover, Jung said, "Psyche is the mother of all our attempts to understand Nature, but in contradistinction to all others it tries to understand itself by itself, a great disadvantage in one way and an equally great prerogative in the other " (ibid.) However, Jung seemed determined to universalize his own personal and subjective experiences and therefore Michael Fordham relativized Jung's belief concerning the universal scientific validity of analytical psychology. [...]

[...] And it can gain respect and some relevance in this regard. Bibliography Fordham, (1994) Analytical Psychology: A Modern Science (Karnac Books) Jung, (1970) Vol: The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche (Princeton University Press) Jung, & Pauli, (2001) Atom and Archetype: The Pauli/Jung Letters - 1958 (Edited by C.A. Meier) (Princeton University Press) Neumann, (1995) The Origins and History of Consciousness (Bollingen Publishing) Shamdasani, (2003) Jung and the Making of Modern Psychology: The Dream of a Science (Cambridge University Press) Von Franz, M. [...]

[...] Moreover, Jung was fortunate enough to have some very close colleagues who were also highly qualified to (with Jung's blessing) write about Jungian psychology. Their contribution should not be overlooked when studying Jung. Jung's autobiography, Memories, Dreams, Reflections is a good starting point as an introduction to `Jung the Man.' This text sheds light on Jung's passions and biases. It also (crucially) demonstrates what Jung regards as personal experiences of psyche and matter interactions. Memories, Dreams, Reflections isn't an easy read but it is much easier to delve into than his collected works. [...]

[...] Jacobi's books, like Sharp's, are essential guides until one gain sufficient understanding of Jung's thinking. The reader who wants to be familiar with Jung the Man and not just his work can and should read Jung's autobiography, Memories, Dreams, Reflections. This will give the reader an idea of Jung's biases as well as his insights. Everyone is contextualized by their time and place and Carl Jung is no exception. For example, psychology terminology is reflective of western culture and continues to be so today. [...]

[...] Hence, the Jung reader is advised to read her main book on this subject. The book is called Psyche and Matter. And in the final part of Man and His Symbols she writes the concluding chapter titled Science and the Unconscious. That chapter is a simpler read than Psyche and Matter and can accompany it. The book edited by C.A. Meier titled Atom and Archetype: The Pauli/Jung Letters: 1932 - 1958 is essential reading here. It is a book that publishes Jung and Pauli's letters over a twenty-six-year period. [...]

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