Deconstructing Archetype Theory - A Critical Analysis of Jungian Ideas

This important book offers a critical and timely reassessment of one of the cornerstones of analytical psychology, Jung's concept of archetypes.
Exploring not only Jung's original writings but also the range of interpretations used by Jungian scholars today, the book argues that Jung's conceptualization of archetype theory is not a single coherent theory; rather, it is four different theories which must be understood separately. Roesler goes onto deconstruct these four ideas: the biological, the anthropological, the transcendental and the psychological in context with contemporary insights from each of these disciplines. A thorough analysis of the state of knowledge in the respective disciplines (i.e. biology, anthropology, religious and mythological studies) makes clear that the claims archetype theory makes in these fields have no support and should be given up. Deconstructing Archetype Theory concludes by arguing that a universal process of psychological transformation is the only part of archetype theory which should be maintained, as it provides a map for psychotherapy.

Rigorous and insightful, this is a book that will fascinate scholars and practitioners of analytical psychology, as well as anyone with an interest in Jung's original work.

List of contents

1. Introduction  2. Definitions of archetype in Analytical Psychology  3. The theory of archetypes in Jung's work  4. Problems and criticism  5. Biology, genetics and inheritance  6. Anthropology  7, Religion  8. Prehistory  9. Mythology  10. Conclusion: The Core Theory- a theory of psychological transformation  References

Summary

This important book offers a critical and timely reassessment of one of the cornerstones of analytical psychology, Jung’s concept of archetypes.

Product details

• Authors: Christian Roesler
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 04.08.2023
• EAN: 9781032390499
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3239049-9
• No. of pages: 272
• Subjects: Guides > Health; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; History of Ideas, Cultural Studies, PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / Modern, PSYCHOLOGY / Psychotherapy / General, Philosophy, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Psychotherapy, Western philosophy from c 1800, Social and cultural anthropology, Psychoanalytical and Freudian psychology, Psychoanalytical theory (Freudian psychology), PSYCHOLOGY / Psychotherapy / Psychoanalysis