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The solar phallus
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M Winther
Oct 25, 2012, 11:19:28 AM10/25/12
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Concerning the innateness of the archetype and the metaphysical reality
of the psyche. I hold the view that the Jungian metaphysical grounding
is uncalled-for. It works anyway. The archetype of the unconscious
behaves *as if* it were an autonomous entity. This is all we need to
know. On account of this, the psyche must be regarded as real. Until
further notice, reality must be accepted in the way it presents itself.
Thus, there is no need to build a metaphysical philosophy surrounding
the psyche in order to magnify it as a reality in itself. Jung develops
a strong metaphysical argument, which is uncalled-for. The genetic
grounding of the archetype is not really in dispute. Genetic heredity,
in the weak sense, can hardly be disputed, since we are in every way
conditioned by our genetic constitution. However, Jung wished to explain
how the archetype manifested independently in individuals, without
regard to outer influences. The unconscious archetype, as such, is
defined as an inherent predisposition of the archetypal image. Jung has
often returned to the case of the "solar phallus man" who was an inmate
at the Burghölzli Mental Hospital in Zürich (cf. Jung, 1976, p.101ff &
p.157ff). He believed that the sun had a phallus, responsible for the
creation of the wind. Similar notions occur in mythology. Jung
exemplifies with the Mithraic liturgy.
Currituck sunset with solar phallus (Edupic) :
http://home7.swipnet.se/~w-73784/gifs/sunset25.jpg
He seems to think that this case is a convincing example of archetypal
heredity, but it is not very compelling. After all, everybody has seen
the solar phallus. The unconscious psyche is bound to take what it sees
and forge it according to our animistic predisposition. The result
surfaces as dreams and fantasies. The sun is a phallic force that
penetrates the waters of mother Earth and impregnates her. Fantasies of
this type can occur independently in individuals, without recourse to an
innate predisposition for a particular solar phallus archetype. What is
innate is the animistic process of thinking, and the way in which
fantasies continue to develop in the unconscious as archetypal
complexes.
http://home7.swipnet.se/~w-73784/animism.htm
Mats Winther
of the psyche. I hold the view that the Jungian metaphysical grounding
is uncalled-for. It works anyway. The archetype of the unconscious
behaves *as if* it were an autonomous entity. This is all we need to
know. On account of this, the psyche must be regarded as real. Until
further notice, reality must be accepted in the way it presents itself.
Thus, there is no need to build a metaphysical philosophy surrounding
the psyche in order to magnify it as a reality in itself. Jung develops
a strong metaphysical argument, which is uncalled-for. The genetic
grounding of the archetype is not really in dispute. Genetic heredity,
in the weak sense, can hardly be disputed, since we are in every way
conditioned by our genetic constitution. However, Jung wished to explain
how the archetype manifested independently in individuals, without
regard to outer influences. The unconscious archetype, as such, is
defined as an inherent predisposition of the archetypal image. Jung has
often returned to the case of the "solar phallus man" who was an inmate
at the Burghölzli Mental Hospital in Zürich (cf. Jung, 1976, p.101ff &
p.157ff). He believed that the sun had a phallus, responsible for the
creation of the wind. Similar notions occur in mythology. Jung
exemplifies with the Mithraic liturgy.
Currituck sunset with solar phallus (Edupic) :
http://home7.swipnet.se/~w-73784/gifs/sunset25.jpg
He seems to think that this case is a convincing example of archetypal
heredity, but it is not very compelling. After all, everybody has seen
the solar phallus. The unconscious psyche is bound to take what it sees
and forge it according to our animistic predisposition. The result
surfaces as dreams and fantasies. The sun is a phallic force that
penetrates the waters of mother Earth and impregnates her. Fantasies of
this type can occur independently in individuals, without recourse to an
innate predisposition for a particular solar phallus archetype. What is
innate is the animistic process of thinking, and the way in which
fantasies continue to develop in the unconscious as archetypal
complexes.
http://home7.swipnet.se/~w-73784/animism.htm
Mats Winther
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