Actually, no. The charge arose against Jung not because of non-literal interpretations of Jewish scripture - people might dispute that but who could reasonably object to it? - but for two quite specific reasons.On 2003-05-27 23:28, Ted wrote:
If I remember correctly, the charge of anti-semitism was also leveled at Jung, for the same reasons. It's all a bunch of BS, of course, hardly worth discussing, simply a matter of non-knowers yakking away.
First, he wrote a paper on the differences between Jewish and "Aryan" psychology. Secondly, there is <em>that</em> chairmanship at <em>that</em> time. There are brief - apologetic - accounts of both episodes in van der Post's book and in Stevens short guide.
I think in the end the "charge" is mistaken, but it is not quite what it is being made out to be here.
Having read this thread carefully and thought about this one, I'd be inclined <em>vis a vis</em> Campbell to raise the matter of what he says about "Nature".
What he says in effect <em><strong>makes Jewish mythology ultimately responsible for environmental devastation</strong></em>. That is a serious charge. I don't think it holds up. I've already explained in the "21st century" mythology thread why I think so.
I don't actually believe it is anti-semitism: rather I think it is honest but incorrect assumption. In essence it is bald assertion arising from incautious association of ideas and can't be substantiated either logically or historically. It is also rather peculiar to find him levelling the charge at Roman Catholicism - on the basis of its inheriting this myth - since he must be aware of the Aristotelianism of the RC church. "Nature" is for sure a guiding concept in Aristotle - and for that matter in Aquinas.
Campbell even goes so far as to assert that nature is "evil" in Judeo-Christian belief. I find that odd. "Nature" is a difficult concept anyway - and one that arrives late - and care with concepts is paramount, if we are going to make accusations. But let us substitute the word "creation" here. The created world is <em>not</em> "evil" in Jewish belief.
I mean - good grief - is he confusing Jewish belief with that of the Cathars, or something!
Since I'm reading Mann's <em>The Magic Mountain</em> just now allow me to point out that it is Settembrini, described by Hans Castorp as a "radical" and a "windbag" who speaks of the "subjugation" of "nature".
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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mike D on 2004-02-11 07:51 ]</font>