The analytical psychology of C.G. Jung: Is it an 'obsolete model'?

Journal/Book: Anal Psychol. 1998; 29: Allschwilerstrasse 10, CH-4009 Basel, Switzerland. Karger. 317-327.

Abstract: The phrase 'obsolete model' has its place in the world of technical understanding, and cannot be applied to ways of thinking that lie beyond mechanistic models of thought. C.G. Jung, with his concept of the archetypes, left behind the mechanistic and objectifying understanding of the world. He changed the reference point from the empirical observation of human beings to the phenomenological investigation of the soul. In this article this change is called the 'archetypal turn' modelled after the 'linguistic turn' of philosophy. Jung himself was only partially aware of this fundamental change of paradigm, which is why he became entangled in contradictions. Even in Jungian literature this 'archetypal turn' is something that is still hardly thought out. With the call for standardized research methods, analytical psychology is being completely pulled back into objectifying mechanistic thinking, whereby it loses its innovative and broad realm of thought; with compliance, it fulfils the requirements to become an 'obsolete model'.

Note: Article Lier D, Leonhardshalde 2, CH-8001 Zurich, SWITZERLAND

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