Modern Man in Search of a Soul

A quick review here of Carl Jung’s “Modern Man In Search of A Soul!” IAW Jung- “The modern man, moreover, is not eager to know in what way he can imitate Christ, but in what way he can live his own individual life, however meagre and uninteresting it may be.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 243). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Furthermore, Jung states- “But if, on the other hand, the clergyman is consulted, he cannot persuade the sick man that the trouble is psychic. As a rule he lacks the special knowledge which would enable him to discern the psychic factors of the disease, and his judgement is without the weight of authority.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (pp. 232-233). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Additionally, Jung assert’s- “Methods of treatment based upon suggestion are deceptive makeshifts; they are incompatible with the principles of analytical therapy, and should be avoided. But suggestion can of course be avoided only when the doctor is aware of the many doors through which it can enter. There remains in the best of circumstances enough—and more than enough—unconscious suggestion.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 10). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Finally, IAW Jung- “The spirit of the age cannot be compassed by the processes of human reason. It is an inclination, an emotional tendency that works upon weaker minds, through the unconscious, with an overwhelming force of suggestion that carries them along with it”. (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 179). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.)Given all the above, it is clear that Jung, more than asserts, that “suggestion” is in fact a very powerful force in “human” nature and that modern man is more so searching, for “meaning” outside more than just “religious” circles for meaning in one’s life. Ergo, in the age of “mass-media” and total “bombardment” of advertising, similar-or same news coverage on different networks, what does that all in fact say about Jung’s assertions of “suggestion?” I remember, being told, by those older than me that back in the 1950’s or 60’s in movie reels, they would replace a few frames, of the film with “suggestive” content and supposedly had to stop doing so due to various adverse consequences…. Whether true or not, do not know, but is in fact interesting and reminds one of the movie “Clock-Work Orange” where the character’s eyes are in fact pinned open and forced to watch whatever footage in front of them while on “psychotropic” medications…..???? Furthermore, when “counseling”- such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, it has been taught that one should ask “questions” that lead the “individual” to their own “conclusions” ….. such as in US Dept. Veteran Affairs PRRTP Programs! Is this then a “violation” of Jung’s principles……??????On “special knowledge” and under-educated populace, this is readily available at any Federal Medical Center, where “patients/inmates” whom by and large are questioned by a panel “Psychological” Staff without an attorney present, believe that the “staff” can in fact “read” their minds and are by no way discouraged of this fact….. is this correct???? If so, then does this in fact not lead to the “mass-warehousing” in the US of many whom might simply otherwise be released…???? On the same note, there is very little literature in the FMC libraries, such as DSMIV/V or such as this work by Jung, and/or others for these “poor” souls to read, and if in fact have it sent to them or they order it thought the mail/local “library” program- creates quite the “stir” among FMC Psychology staff if in fact such literature, it is not out-right confiscated immediately! What would Carl Jung in fact say, about this state of affairs in the United States Today- not only at the Federal Level but also State Level Facilities, that are by in large, such as in Alabama, etc… contracted out to the lowest “bidder” or local jails “advertising” such services????Jung, further asserts- “In cases of insanity the compensatory process is often perfectly obvious, but takes a negative form. There are persons, for instance, who have anxiously shut themselves off from all the world only to discover one day that their most intimate secrets are known and talked about by everyone.” (Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 169). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) So given the above, what would “Jung” say to the “mass-media” coverage of “judicial” proceedings were the “individual” in question, themselves is in fact not “interviewed, and “somehow’ their “health” records made “public” to reporters and the like without their EXPRESS written consent- especially if found more than “competent” by the court appointed “authorities”????????? Finally, in closing, Jung states- “If they breathe upon their hands, breath is wind and spirit—it is roho, in Arabic ruch, in Hebrew ruach, and in Greek pneuma. The action means: I offer my living spirit to God. It is a wordless, acted prayer, which could equally well be spoken: "Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit." Does this merely happen so, or was this thought already incubated and purposed before man existed? I must leave this question unanswered.”(Jung, Carl Gustav . Modern Man in Search of a Soul (p. 154). Christopher Prince. Kindle Edition.) Which, is a good way I think to leave this review- questions- unanswered?????Bottom-line: Jung’s work should be “mandatory” reading in all “institution's” of higher learning, simply for the thought provocation it inspires and it’s “tie” in to the Modern Age of “mass and instantaneous” communication…..

I know some might criticize the way Jung romanticizes the unconscious; However, I think he was measured and laid incredible reasons why he chose his line of reasoning. I really enjoyed applying some of his insights in my daily life with amazing results. I will definitely be reading the rest of his catalog.

Carl Gustav Jung held some very strange ideas. Lucky me; I’m a sucker for very strange ideas. But these ideas must have seemed even more strange over a hundred years ago, when Jung was writing about them and publishing them.As a psychiatrist and the founder of Analytic Psychology, Jung was at the forefront of an entirely new way of thinking about human beings and how we operate in the world. In large part, you could say that he was a man attempting to reconcile the diverging worlds of science and religion. I think in 2017, when a layperson thinks of psychology, many of us think of it as a hard science, completely separate from philosophy, religion, and medicine. But in 1933, those lines weren’t so clear, at least not to Jung.Some of Jung’s pioneering concepts have taken hold in the modern lexicon, such as the concepts of extraversion, introversion, and the idea of a complexes. Other concepts posited by Jung in Modern Man In Search of a Soul, like the “shadow,” may not ring a bell with the layperson as much in 2017, but to me that’s one of the most interesting topics Jung explores in the book.“…inasmuch as I become conscious of my shadow I also remember that I am a human being like any other.”The shadow Jung refers to represents the capability of man to do malevolence. I think Jung is telling us that if we understand our capacity to do evil, we have a real shot at harnessing our capacity to do good.Jung also writes quite a bit about the difference between material truth and spiritual truth. This is something that I’ve spent considerable time thinking and reading about in recent months, and I’m still trying to fully grasp Jung’s thoughts on the matter. In effect, he argues that in the past couple of centuries, civilized humanity has undergone a shift in our thinking that has led us to only believe in things that we can see and touch, often holding up any ideas that don’t fit those criteria to ridicule. He finds this to be to the detriment of society at large because it has done irreparable harm to the psychological health of the world. Thus, in his clinical experience, religion is essentially the cure for neurosis.“…religions are systems of healing for psychic illness.. Man is never helped in his suffering by what he thinks of himself, but only by revelations of a wisdom greater than his own. It is this which lifts him out of his distress.”Also look out for his thoughts on archetypes and the collective unconscious. Unfortunately, I’ve reduced his complex ideas far too much. But this review may give an idea of what to expect from Modern Man In Search of a Soul.Final say: Jung is a brilliant man with fascinating insight. Read it!

I wish I was more of an advanced reader because Carl Jung provides some great insight on life, the psyche(you'll say that word over 1000 times by the 3rd chapter lol) and most importantly the significance of DREAMS. You really gotta read it thoroughly because this was written in the 1930's and once again by Carl Jung - a genius. I had ordered a few of his books, and was originally lead to Jung by Jordan Peterson, whom himself said it took him 6 months to read/fully understand one of Jung's books.You'll learn a lot just know what you're in for haha - good luck!

One of the best books I have had the pleasure to read.

Jung nails down this problem so succinctly. I think he is spot on in his diagnosis of the current spiritual void a lot of us experience. Our modern age leaves us unequipped to recognize spiritual longings and truths. This I have experienced firsthand.

El libro llegó en excelentes condiciones. Sin ningún problema

A book written long before I was born hardly needs a review from me. People far more intelligent than I have already done so. Carl Jung was, of course, a genius, and I know the word is thrown around way too much, but the huge volume of his ground-breaking work and discoveries in psychology, and psychiatry speaks for itself. This book is particularly easy for the layman to understand. Much of Jung's work is dense with his scholarship and displays his knowledge of mythology as it applies to dreams and the human unconsciousness, but this book is one of his easier ones to understand. I highly recommend this book as a place to start in the study of Jung's work.

A good, clean copy

This was the first book I ever read by Jung in my teens. It remains a favorite of mine over the years, though I have moved on to read many more of his works. Yet I am aware many find Jung difficult to read. This is one of his most approachable works consisting of essays drawn from lectures he gave, which are often the source of some of his most approachable writings.The book came into being as one of Jung's few attempts to address the general reader. The translator, Cary F. Baynes, in a foreword says Jung himself, who spoke fluent English, read and corrected the translations. She also talks about Jung being a religious thinker, who addresses a particular audience. One that sees organised religion in a poor state because of various challenges it has faced from modernity, yet also holding certain things of value that need to be reframed so it can do its job properly. Jung himself addresses the issue himself in the penultimate essay in the book, "The Spiritual Problem of Modern Man," which is now seen as something of a classic.But there is a lot more. There are essays on dream analysis and Jung's attitude to psychotherapy. He points out that his approach is integrative, finding the Freudian and Adlerian approaches useful especially for younger people. There is discussion on his view that the psyche is self-regulating, and an essay on the difference of his approach to that of Freud. The one on typology discusses his ideas of introvert and extrovert together with the four functions he posited. It is probably his most succinct effort on the subject. Plus there is discussion of his ideas about the collective unconscious.There are also a couple of essays on literature and anthropology. The essay Archaic Man is one I particularly like pointing out that the modern Western citizen has no reason to be complacent when looking at native ethnic groups. In the essay he uses the word "primitive" is now perhaps not politically correct. Yet the point of it is that the "primitive" is not so deeply buried in us and that those so described are often more sophisticated than given credit for. The so-called "civilized" or "advanced" Westerner has little to be complacent about. It changed my view of human nature.All the essays in this short volume are readable and will stimulate much thought. The one drawback of this volume is lack of an index. But that is a small flaw. This is one of Jung's most essential volumes as well as possibly his most approachable.

Lots of interesting ideas for people who are around the point of being considered as the “modern man” Carl describes. His views, based on his many patients who are usually successful established people, are broad and overlaps greatly with the western world of then and today. His insight into the plights of entire eras and societies, and his concise yet illustrative writing, makes it a deep read worth grappling with.