Who was Carl Jung and why do his theories matter?
Untitled image from the Liber Novus (Red book) by C.G. Jung
Personal beginnings
The first time I encountered the philosophy of Carl Jung was through a worn-down copy of Ego and Archetype by Edward Edinger, which I stumbled upon in a local thrift shop. The strange, intricate diagrams inside caught my eye, their enigmatic nature hinting at something deeper, something mystical. Drawn in by this sense of mystery, I decided to bring the book home.
What I didn’t expect was how perfectly it would resonate with me at that very moment — an example of what Jung himself might have called “Synchronicity”. I was at a crossroads in my life, feeling lost and unsure of what I wanted or needed. I was searching for something, anything, that could lend meaning to my existence. By then, I had already exhausted the usual avenues: philosophy, art, religion. Each had its value, but none seemed to speak to the core of my being. It was as if I was a stranger in my own skin, locked in a disharmonious marriage with myself.
Little did I know, Carl Jung would be the counselor I needed. His ideas offered me not just insights but a roadmap to self-discovery. And so, my journey into the depths of Jungian philosophy began. A journey I’d like to share.
Who was Carl Jung?
Carl Gustav Jung, born in 1875 in Switzerland, in the small village of Kesswil, was one of the most influential figures in the early scientific fields of psychology and psychiatry. His youth and adolescence were marked by a fascination with dreams, religion, and the inner workings of the human mind. Jung was particularly interested in myths, and soon began finding certain ‘motifs’ in them which consistantly reappear within the stories of all cultures wordwide. This later developed into the foundation of his groundbreaking work in analytical psychology. Jung studied medicine at the University of Basel and later chose to specialise in psychiatry. His career then took a significant turn when he began working with Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis.
Freud’s psychoanalysis sent shockwaves through the academic and cultural circles of Europe at the time, primarily due to his revolutionary concept of the unconscious mind. At the heart of his ideas was the notion of the ‘id,’ a hidden part of the psyche that, according to Freud, harbors our most primal instincts. He described the id as the unseen force that drives much of our behavior, operating like a puppeteer pulling the strings from behind the curtain—especially when it comes to basic instincts like aggression and sexual desire.
In contrast, Freud introduced the ‘ego’ as the conscious aspect of the psyche. The ego is what we recognize as our decision-maker, the part of us that navigates the external world and chooses our actions with awareness and deliberation. Completing this trio is the ‘superego,’ which Freud identified as the moral compass of the psyche. The superego encompasses the societal norms and values that have been internalized, often acting as a strict judge of our behavior and thoughts, urging us to adhere to the expectations imposed by society.
Freud quickly sensed how talented Jung was, and became quite close to him. Eventually, Jung was recognised as the ‘de facto’ heir of Freud’s intellectual legacy. However, Jung’s vision began to diverge significantly from Freud’s, eventually leading to an intellectual split between them. While traces of Freudian influence can still be seen in Jung’s fully developed philosophy, particularly in the shared belief that a significant part of the mind lies beyond our conscious reach, the similarities largely end there as Jung broke away from Freud on almost every key detail.
Where Freud focused on the more primal aspects of the psyche, Jung excelled in exploring the intricate, often mystical, dimensions of the human mind. His perspective delves into the deeper layers of our consciousness, uncovering a rich tapestry of archetypes, symbols, and the collective unconscious. Jung’s philosophy is compelling precisely because it goes beyond the surface, offering insights into the spiritual and psychological forces that shape our inner world—territory where Freud’s theories often fall short. In this way, Jung provided a more complete and practical understanding of the human psyche.
When fully understood, Jung’s work can be likened to that of a master map-maker for the psyche: paths that once seemed random and chaotic are revealed to have deeper, interconnected purposes, leading to all kinds of unexpected endings. Jung’s goal with this map-making was to guide individuals toward achieving wholeness through a process he called individuation. This journey involves integrating the different aspects of your personality — both conscious and unconscious, wanted and unwanted — into a more complete and authentic person.
Jung believed that this lifelong quest for self-discovery is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. He emphasized that individuation isn’t about reaching a final destination or achieving a particular state of mental development. Instead, it’s a dynamic process that equips individuals with the tools to navigate their own unconscious desires, complexes, and anxieties. Through individuation, one becomes more in touch with their true self, leading to a deeper sense of inner harmony and understanding. Seen in that light, Jung’s philosophy is a method which can provide you the tools to be more in touch with yourself, and bring peace and understanding to your mind.