The Transcendent Function

Jeffrey C. Miller

Description

The transcendent function is the core of Carl Jung's theory of psychological growth and the heart of what he called individuation, the process by which one is guided in a teleological way toward the person one is meant to be. This book thoroughly reviews the transcendent function, analyzing both the 1958 version of the seminal essay that bears its name and the original version written in 1916. It also provides a word-by-word comparison of the two, along with every reference Jung made to the transcendent function in his written works, his letters, and his public seminars.

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction to the Transcendent Function

Development of the Ego in Western Consciousness
Emergence of Depth Psychology and Emphasis on the Unconscious
Primer on the Transcendent Function
Scope and Organization of the Work

2. Detailed Analysis of the Transcendent Function Essay

1916: Historical Context for the Transcendent Function
The 1916 and 1958 Published Forms of the Essay
Exploration of Details of "The Transcendent Function" Paper

The Prefatory Note
Definitional Sections
Compensatory Relationship of the Unconscious to Consciousness
Omnipresence and Compensation of the Unconscious
The Constructive Method: Importance of Purpose and Meaning
The Role of the Analyst: Mediating the Transcendent Function
Artificially Inducing Unconscious Contents
Producing Unconscious Material: Active Imagination
Utilizing Unconscious Material: Creative Formulation and Understanding
Relation of Ego to Unconscious: Bringing Together the Opposites
Final Result: Dialogue Creating Emergence of the Third
Closing Passages: Liberation and the Courage to be Oneself

Synthesis: The Transcendent Function as Reflected in the Essay

3. Tracing the Transcendent Function through Jung's Works

Thematic Analysis of References to the Transcendent Function

The Opposites: The Source and Development of Jung's Thinking
The Dynamic Opposition of Consciousness and the Unconscious
The Role of Fantasy and Symbol
Operation of the Transcendent Function
Jung's Ambiguity about the Nature of the Transcendent Function
Individuation: Constructive View, Meaning and Transformation
The Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious
Anima and Animus: Mediators between Consciousness and the Unconscious
The Self as Progeny of the Transcendent Function
Jung's Inconsistencies Surrounding Dreams and the Divine
The Shadow: Relationship to the Transcendent Function

Integrating the References to the Transcendent Function

4. The Transcendent Function as the Core of Jung's Work

The Transcendent Function As Jung's Root Metaphor
Implications of the Expansive Transcendent Function beyond Jung
The Core of the Transcendent Function
The Transcendence of the Transcendent Function

5. The Transcendent Function and the Theories of Others

Winnicott: Transitional Objects as Mediating Elements
The Analytic Field: The Third as Mediating Agent
Freud and Ego Psychology: The Ego as a Mediating Structure
Other Depth Analogies: Kohut, Klein, Fordham, and Hillman
Non-Depth Analogies: Gestalt, Client-Centered, and Cognitive Therapies
The Third as a Universal Psychological Construct

6. The Deeper Roots of the Transcendent Function

The Binary Opposition Inherent in Consciousness
Bridging the Chasm between Subject and Object
Liminality and Initiation: An Archetypal Between-ness
Hermes: The Archetypal Messenger between Realms
The Third: Foundations of the Number Three
Rhythm of Consciousness between Differentiation and Unity
The Transcendent: Connection with a Greater Consciousness
The Neither/Nor and Autochthonous Urges of the Psyche

7. Vivifying the Transcendent Function in Everyday Life

The Metaphorical View of the Transcendent Function
Tilling the Transcendent Function with the Alchemical Metaphor
The Neither/Nor and the Metaphorical Third
The Germination of the Alchemical Fourth
Plowing the Tra

Sujets

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Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791485620
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

THE TRANSCENDENT FUNCTION
THE TRANSCENDENT FUNCTION
J UNG S M ODEL OF P SYCHOLOGICAL G ROWTH THROUGH D IALOGUE WITH THE U NCONSCIOUS
Jeffrey C. Miller
Published by S TATE U NIVERSITY OF N EW Y ORK P RESS , A LBANY
2004 State University of New York
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, eletrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.
For information, address State University of New York Press, 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany, NY 12207
Production, Laurie Searl Marketing, Jennifer Giovanni
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Miller, Jeffrey C., 1951-
The transcendent function : Jung s model of psychological growth through dialogue with the unconscious / Jeffrey C. Miller.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 0-7914-5977-2 (alk. paper)-ISBN 0-7914-5978-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Individuation (Psychology) 2. Subconsciousness. I. Jung, C. G. (Carl Gustav), 1875-1961. Transzendente Funktion. II. Title. BF175.5.I53M55 2003 155.2 -dc22 2003060636
10 9 8 7 6 5 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter One. Introduction to the Transcendent Function
Development of the Ego in Western Consciousness
Emergence of Depth Psychology and Emphasis on the Unconscious
Primer on the Transcendent Function
Scope and Organization of the Work
Chapter Two. Detailed Analysis of the Transcendent Function Essay
1916: Historical Context for the Transcendent Function
The 1916 and 1958 Published Forms of the Essay
Exploration of Details of The Transcendent Function Paper
The Prefatory Note
Definitional Sections
Compensatory Relationship of the Unconscious to Consciousness
Omnipresence and Compensation of the Unconscious
The Constructive Method: Importance of Purpose and Meaning
The Role of the Analyst: Mediating the Transcendent Function
Artificially Inducing Unconscious Contents
Producing Unconscious Material: Active Imagination
Utilizing Unconscious Material: Creative Formulation and Understanding
Relation of Ego to Unconscious: Bringing Together the Opposites
Final Result: Dialogue Creating Emergence of the Third
Closing Passages: Liberation and the Courage to be Oneself
Synthesis: The Transcendent Function as Reflected in the Essay
Chapter Three. Tracing the Transcendent Function through Jung s Works
Thematic Analysis of References to the Transcendent Function
The Opposites: The Source and Development of Jung s Thinking
The Dynamic Opposition of Consciousness and the Unconscious
The Role of Fantasy and Symbol
Operation of the Transcendent Function
Jung s Ambiguity about the Nature of the Transcendent Function
Individuation: Constructive View, Meaning and Transformation
The Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious
Anima and Animus: Mediators between Consciousness and the Unconscious
The Self as Progeny of the Transcendent Function
Jung s Inconsistencies Surrounding Dreams and the Divine
The Shadow: Relationship to the Transcendent Function
Integrating the References to the Transcendent Function
Chapter Four. The Transcendent Function as the Core of Jung s Work
The Transcendent Function As Jung s Root Metaphor
Implications of the Expansive Transcendent Function Beyond Jung
The Core of the Transcendent Function
The Transcendence of the Transcendent Function
Chapter Five. The Transcendent Function and the Theories of Others
Winnicott: Transitional Objects as Mediating Elements
The Analytic Field: The Third as Mediating Agent
Freud and Ego Psychology: The Ego as a Mediating Structure
Other Depth Analogies: Kohut, Klein, Fordham, and Hillman
Non-Depth Analogies: Gestalt, Client-Centered, and Cognitive Therapies
The Third as a Universal Psychological Construct
Chapter Six. The Deeper Roots of the Transcendent Function
The Binary Opposition Inherent in Consciousness
Bridging the Chasm Between Subject and Object
Liminality and Initiation: An Archetypal Between-ness
Hermes: The Archetypal Messenger Between Realms
The Third: Foundations of the Number Three
Rhythm of Consciousness between Differentiation and Unity
The Transcendent: Connection with a Greater Consciousness
The Neither/Nor and Autochthonous Urges of the Psyche
Chapter Seven. Vivifying the Transcendent Function in Everyday Life
The Metaphorical View of the Transcendent Function
Tilling the Transcendent Function with the Alchemical Metaphor
The Neither/Nor and the Metaphorical Third
The Germination of the Alchemical Fourth
Plowing the Transcendent Function Field in Relationships
Surveying the Transcendent Function in Social and Cultural Issues
Transcendent Functioning in the Garden of Everyday Life
Concluding Remarks
Appendix A. Textual Comparison of the 1916 Version to the 1958 Version of The Transcendent Function
Appendix B. References to the Transcendent Function in Jung s Works, Letters, and Seminars
Appendix C. Review of Literature Relating to The Transcendent Function
Introduction
Jung and Jung s Writings
Basic Reference Materials
Elements of Jungian Psychology
Origins of the Transcendent Function
Role of the Analyst
Clinical Aspects and Applications
Cultural, Political, and Societal Contexts
Religious and Spiritual Matters
Notes
References
Index
FOREWORD
Dr. Jeffrey Miller has produced a truly significant and creative work. I have been engaged with Jung s transcendent function for many years and love reading about it. Miller s text is at once inspired, scholarly, and well crafted. The quotes from Jung are great and the appendices will be a tremendous resource for generations of Jung scholars. The author s detailed comparison of the 1916 and 1958 versions of Jung s essay strikes me as a stroke of genius. By combining his skills as a lawyer with depth psychological scholarship, Jeffrey Miller did something that has never been done before, that is, he found a way to highlight each and every change Jung made in a clear, accessible way. On the one hand, Dr. Miller s method of textual comparison is simple and self-evident. On the other hand, the creative process that guided him to it is a living example of the transcendent function.
The author s interest and excitement in his topic are palpable. The reader is taken on a memorable journey, approaching the transcendent function from multiple perspectives. In chapter 1 , Dr. Miller provides the reader with important material concerning Jung s ideas about the unconscious. He looks at the transcendent function as psyche s way to bring the realms of consciousness and the unconscious into a dialogue with each other toward psychological growth and individuation. Miller also introduces an idea that he explores in greater depth later in the work, that is, the transcendent function allows us to discover new perspectives in every situation that were previously hidden or unseen.
Chapter 2 provides the reader with a fascinating tour through Jung s essay, The Transcendent Function. Dr. Miller analyzes its central ideas and themes, and he also compares and contrasts the 1916 and 1958 versions of the essay to show how some of Jung s ideas shifted and developed over time. From his comparison, additional valuable themes emerge.
Chapters 3 and 4 may be the most interesting for scholars and serious readers of Jung. Miller examines each reference to the transcendent function in Jung s written works-including his letters and lectures-in a thematic way. What emerges from the author s painstaking methodology is an image of a web representing the interconnectedness of key Jungian concepts, with the transcendent function at or near the center. Another way to say this: The author makes a compelling case for the centrality of the transcendent function in analytical psychology.
Following his impressive scholarly analysis of Jung s essay in the early chapters, Dr. Miller provides interesting texture to and applications of the transcendent function in the chapters that follow. Chapter 5 explores links between the transcendent function and analogous material in other psychologies. Then chapter 6 takes the material into a deeper imaginal landscape. Guided by Jung, the author approaches the transcendent function as an archetypal process inherent in psychological life. This material is both interesting and thought provoking, as Miller seems to allow the transcendent function itself to work through his writing, providing new, lively connections in a playful and imaginative way.
Chapter 7 concludes with a discussion of the transcendent function in everyday life. This last step is an important one in Dr. Miller s work since he presents the transcendent function as more than a tool for the analyst in the consulting room; the transcendent function is at the same time an omnipresent reality in all psychological life.
Following Dr. Miller s text, a set of invaluable appendices provide the reader with critical reference material about the transcendent function: Appendix A is Miller s clear, thorough, original textual comparison of the 1916 and 1958 versions of Jung s essay The Transcendent Function; Appendix B is a listing of every single mention of the transcendent function in Jung s written works, published letters, and public seminars; Appendix C is a review of literature written by Jungian authors on the transcendent function.
In summary, Dr. Miller provides the reader with a comprehensive view of one of Jung s most important early works. In addition to tracing its vital and central role in Jung s analytical psychology, Miller links the transcendent function to other psychological theories, as well as to