A Depth Psychology Stance on Consciousness and the Unconscious
Vanessa Jankowski
Routledge eBooks September 17, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003672623-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that modern Western consciousness is under new pressures from environmental, global, and technological change—including the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence—and proposes that the shared concepts of Jung, von Franz, Hillman, and Woodman (individuation, the Self, imago Dei, the personal and transpersonal psyche) offer a framework for understanding these demands and for individuals to find their own 'archetypal anchors' as traditions and structures dissolve. |
Abstract
This chapter demonstrates how the foundational depth psychology theorists—C.G. Jung, Marie-Lousie von Franz, James Hillman, and Marion Woodman—have shared work concerning the modern West's struggle from pressures on consciousness. The four theorists’ s work in this chapter introduces key concepts for evolving consciousness, defining consciousness, unconscious, individuation, imago Dei , and the Self. Furthermore, it explains how consciousness changes over time on three levels—personal, collective, and the physical features of the brain. Using new discoveries in quantum physics on the exploration of consciousness, materials science is used as a physical representation and evidence supporting depth psychology's views on the psyche. Additionally, the chapter discusses the relationship between the personal and transpersonal psyche. The modern West consciousness is under new pressures and attacks from environmental, global, and technological changes. This chapter explores the big technological advancements—the internet, social media, and the artificial intelligence (AI)—and the corresponding demands they place on individual consciousness. The modern West's global disruptions in social, natural, and dissolution of traditions and structures require people to be better able to find the archetypal anchors themselves, understanding the collective occurrences—past and present—impacts on them, and how to individual cultivate the need supports.