On the conservatism of post-Jungian criticism: competing concepts of the symbol in Freud, Jung and Walter Benjamin

Charles, M. 2013. On the conservatism of post-Jungian criticism: competing concepts of the symbol in Freud, Jung and Walter Benjamin. International Journal of Jungian Studies. 5 (2), pp. 120-139. https://doi.org/10.1080/19409052.2012.671184

TitleOn the conservatism of post-Jungian criticism: competing concepts of the symbol in Freud, Jung and Walter Benjamin
AuthorsCharles, M.
Abstract

The renewed interest in analytical psychology by academics working in the humanities has led to the emergence of a post-Jungian field of cultural criticism, at the theoretical core of which stands Jung's theory of symbolism. This article examines the centrality of symbolism to both Freud and Jung's psychology and explains how the differing concepts of the symbol lead to their divergent theories of interpretation in psychology and art criticism. Acknowledging the advantages of Jung's more expansive account of the symbol, it argues that Walter Benjamin's critical engagement with Jung nonetheless provides a useful correction to the problematic conservatism inherent to his concept of the symbol and its contemporary application.

JournalInternational Journal of Jungian Studies
Journal citation5 (2), pp. 120-139
ISSN1940-9052
Year2013
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/19409052.2012.671184
Publication dates
Published01 Jun 2013

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