Archetypes: Toward a Jungian Anthropology of Consciousness
Charles D. Laughlin, Vincenza A. Tiberia
Anthropology of Consciousness September 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-3537.2012.01063.x (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCarl Jung's work has had surprisingly little impact on the anthropology of consciousness, despite its relevance. This paper explains why that oversight occurred, summarizes Jung's archetypal psychology, and argues it is more nuanced and valuable than extreme constructivist perspectives allow. Jung's ideas about consciousness align well with contemporary neuroscience views of the psyche and offer a corrective to relativist understandings of consciousness and its relationship to the self.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 34 |
| Key finding | Argues that Jung's archetypal psychology is more complex and useful than constructivist accounts acknowledge and aligns with modern neuroscience, offering a corrective to relativist notions of consciousness. |
Abstract
AbstractIt is very curious that C.G. Jung has had so little influence upon the anthropology of consciousness. In this paper, the reasons for this oversight are given. The archetypal psychology of Jung is summarized and shown to be more complex and useful than extreme constructivist accounts would acknowledge. Jung's thinking about consciousness fits very well with a modern neuroscience view of the psyche and acts as a corrective to relativist notions of consciousness and its relation to the self.