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Title: The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche (Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 8) by C. G. Jung, Gerhard Adler, R. F.C. Hull ISBN: 0-691-09774-7 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 January, 1970 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $85.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A megadose of profound psychology
Comment: _The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche_ is one of the better volumes out of the Princeton/Bollingen series of Jung's collected works, and is absolutely essential for any serious Jungian. I will go over the essays in sequence:
First comes an essay entitled "On Psychic Energy". This is the most difficult essay in this volume. Generally, Jung discusses his concept of the "canalization of libildo". This is interesting in that Jung tries to redefine "libido" by moving away from its traditional, purely sexual connotation. For Jung, libido is simply a generic form of psychic energy which can be redirected or "canalized" into both sexual AND non-sexual activities, such as religious rituals, dances, chants, and incantations. It is only when our intrinsic need for ritual is supressed that we find our libido forced to direct its energies into sexual perversion. Although the concept is interesting, the writing style of this essay is rather vague and opaque, and if you find yourself bogged down, I strongly suggest you skip this first essay. Don't worry - it's all downhill after this essay. The rest of the book is much more lucid and readable.
Next comes an essay called "The Transcendent Function", which basically deals with the healing breakthrough which is the goal of the patient in psychotherapy. Next is an essay dealing with the "Complex Theory". This essay deals with word-association tests in which the experimenter observes the subjects reations and hesitations when given a word that evokes embarrassing or painful memories. Both of these essays are very useful and informative.
Next we have about three more short but very profound and informative essays. Then comes the centerpiece of the book, a potent and spectaculuar classic of 20th century psychology entitled "On the Nature of the Psyche". This, along with "Answer to Job" is one of Jung's very best essays. It deals with an astounding range of topics, including the limitations and paradoxes associated with epistemology, and the dualistic and paradoxical interrelationship between subjective, inner psyche and the objective/outer world. This essay has much to say about the limitations of our subjectivity, and the degree to which we depend on other people and the outside world to attain consciousness. Jung does an excellent job in demarcating the thin line which divides the outer world and the sum of our subjective perceptions. Overall, this essay is a mind warping trip into a sea of paradoxical mysteries of the psyche.
After a short essay dealing with spirits, we come to a series of three great essays: "Spirit and Life", "Basic Postulates of Analytical Psychology", and "Analytical Psychology and Weltanschauung". These fantastic essays deal expertly with the delicate issue of fate and determinism vs. freewill, and the idea of achieving an objective attitude or "Weltanscauung". Jung warns against attempting to unite everyone under one objetive attitude or "ism". This can only lead to repression, nationalistic, racist, and PATRIOTIC BIAS, and ultimately, war. According to Jung, when one nation unites under an "ism" or Weltanschauung which is erronously believed to be objective and appropriate for everyone, we will end up with a repression of indivdual, diverse opinions at best, and at worst, will have a worldwide tragedy resulting from our quest to force this attitude on other people. (and yes, according to Jung's book, DEMOCRACY also counts as one of those "ism's" that we should not try to force on to other people). Of course this tragedy will be carried out under the banner of patriotism.
Next we have three more short essays which are very good, especially "The Soul and Death". After that, we have the famous essay, "Syncronicity", which is available by itself in paperback if you only want that. This is a fascinating essay dealing with paranormal psychic phenomena such as psychokinesis, ESP, and telepathy. If you want to see more details on this essay, see my corresponding review for the stand-alone paperback version.
Overall, _The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche_ is a monumental, epic work. A true magnum opus of psychology, I recommend this volume to anyone who is willing to take on a challenge for the pursuit of self-knowledge.
Rating: 5
Summary: can't believe it's not available
Comment: This book is hardcore Jung explaining with his famous spectrum analogy the "third thing" of the psyche, that imaginal space wedged between matter and spirit. Very technical.
Rating: 5
Summary: This is an absolutely essential reference on the Psyche
Comment: This is the most practical description of the structure and dynamics of the psyche available. It is a working reference that enables real self-understanding, the understanding of others, and the understanding of the dynamics between the two. With all of the mis-spent resources in the last ninety years on the study of behavior, and the growth of the behaviorists, this reference really enables a person to learn the details of the pre-cursors to behavior. In today's so-called knowledge-based work environment, a solid understanding of the psyche is essential, since 90% of the work is not what one would consider observable behavior. It's nice to know that such a valuable book is still available and still useful. It should be paired with Jung's Psychological Types, and the Two volume set of William James, practical psychology books. Wes Stillwagon
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Title: The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.9 Part 1) by C. G. Jung, Gerhard Adler, R. F.C. Hull ISBN: 0691018332 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 August, 1981 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Aion (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.9 Part 2) by C. G. Jung, Gerhard Adler, R. F.C. Hull ISBN: 069101826X Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 June, 1979 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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Title: Symbols of Transformation (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.5) by C. G. Jung, Gerhard Adler, R. F.C. Hull ISBN: 0691018154 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 January, 1977 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
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Title: The Spirit in Man, Art, & Literature (Collected Works of Jung Vol. 15) by C. G. Jung, Gerhard Adler, R. F.C. Hull ISBN: 0691017751 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 November, 1971 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Alchemical Studies (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.13) by C. G. Jung, Gerhard Adler, R. F.C. Hull ISBN: 0691018499 Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr Pub. Date: 01 August, 1983 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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