Lecture II.1.1 - The Function of Mythology

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Neoplato
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Post by Neoplato »

Very true. Only, this term sounds somewhat nonstandard for
an élite poster like Cindy B
Well, it's all dependent on the phrasing, IMHO. The collective unconsciousness manifests into a "collective consciousness" of symbols and purpose. The only difference is if we are aware of the manifestation or not.

For example, the "collective consciousness" of "patriotism" can be found in the unconscious roots of societal unity. However, on a global scale, we can recognize this false sense of unity, is really "unconscious" when compared to the cosciousness of global unity.
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Post by Cindy B. »

Ercan,

It's true that in your readings of Jung you'll not find him very often and outright using the term collective consciousness, but it does pop up now and again. The main reason for this is that his primary focus was on unconsciousness and development of the individual psyche. The notion is always there, though, and a given, in that for Jung the principle of opposites was paramount: conscious/unconscious, collective/personal, etc. Transcendence of opposites (various dualities) is the ultimate goal of individuation, of course, as symbolized by Self.

Cindy
If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s. --Jung

Ercan2121
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Post by Ercan2121 »

Cindy,
I finally realized that consciousness can be equally understood
as (conscious + unconscious) parts of human awareness;
when we remember that strict rules about terminology and perfectionism in definitions
is not a typical attitude in Analytical Psychology. Thank you once again :-)

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Post by CarmelaBear »

Neoplato wrote:...For example, the "collective consciousness" of "patriotism" can be found in the unconscious roots of societal unity. However, on a global scale, we can recognize this false sense of unity, is really "unconscious" when compared to the cosciousness of global unity.
Huh? Lost you on this one, big guy. :?

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Last edited by CarmelaBear on Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Neoplato
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Post by Neoplato »

Let me try that again: :oops:

What appears to be a conscious zeal for "patriotism", IMHO, is really just an unconscious manifestation of the "us and them" idea.

When the "us and them" has been eliminated, then we can say we have a "global collective consciousness". :D
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Post by CarmelaBear »

Neoplato wrote:Let me try that again: :oops:

What appears to be a conscious zeal for "patriotism", IMHO, is really just an unconscious manifestation of the "us and them" idea.

When the "us and them" has been eliminated, then we can say we have a "global collective consciousness". :D
The term "patriotic" is an invention of the patriarchal and paternalist age of nation-states that have long been dominant enough to call the shots as imperial powers. It is rapidly becoming ancient history, but it was an era when one's loyalty amounted to "my daddy is bigger than your daddy". Though the families and tribes and communities had their own local belief systems, humanity as a whole has been mostly partiarchal for thousands of years, and this familial consciousness has been a collective one. Both in our dreams and in our waking lives, we have been father-centered. Mythologies and histories reflect this in spades.

At the present time, an imbalance has developed over the entire earth. The social order is becoming more atomized. For one thing, in our globalized economy, the top multinational corporations, (including state-run firms in China and traffickers of drugs, sex and guns) have the means and the agility to avoid taxes, government regulation and border identities on land, on the high seas and in the air. For another thing, you and I are part of a worldwide community of electronic communicators who can make or break whole armies and industries by our collective capacity to demand goods and services, including information, security and respectful governance.

Any and all of this multiplicity of actors on the global stage can and do make deals with one another and with non-profit organizations to transition from the industrial age (in which the only bottom line was measured in monetary units) to an age of sustainability (when social and ecological success is as important as profit). Neither the public nor the private sector, neither entire regions nor the neighborhood or village, neither the collective nor the individual is able to achieve any significant human progress on any level at all without figuring out how to get around whatever obstacles interfere with forward motion.

Our survival now depends on working out the details as we go along. The trend is toward greater and greater complexity rather than one grand global live-in with flowers and rainbows and unicorns. Hope for humanity is symbolized by the Amazonian tribes who protect their rain forest habitat by using the media to challenge giant corporations. Our worst fears are embodied by corrupt African leaders who take private profits, public treasuries and philanthropic aid to line their pockets and savage their own people while humanity stands in the road and stares into the oncoming headlights.

Did you know that for a number of years now Russia, Canada and the United States have been positioning themselves for the day when the artic ice melts to reveal new territory ready for planting flags, drilling oil, mining gold and extending national boundaries? It's like a last ditch opportunity to stake out the next resource-rich frontier. The three countries have been quietly fortifying bases, sending out submarines and flying war planes to safeguard future claims to the dirt and rock beneath the melting glaciers.

The old patriarchies are in their death throes. They are being replaced by impatient coalitions of action-oriented people who are making their own plans and going ahead with their own agendas. If you listen carefully, you can hear the sound of change for the better, but you really have to put your ear to the ground, because it's not like thundering hoofbeats. It's more like the vague and scattered sound of moccasins.

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Once in a while a door opens, and let's in the future. --- Graham Greene

Ercan2121
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Post by Ercan2121 »

Neoplato wrote:Let me try that again: :oops:

What appears to be a conscious zeal for "patriotism", IMHO, is really just an unconscious manifestation of the "us and them" idea.

When the "us and them" has been eliminated, then we can say we have a "global collective consciousness". :D
Neoplato, do you mean that there are layers/strata of consciousness?
(I'm asking this without taking into account your specific example)

Neoplato
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Post by Neoplato »

Neoplato, do you mean that there are layers/strata of consciousness?-Ercan
I'm not sure if "layers" is a good description. Maybe "awarenesses" or "understandings"? :?

Or maybe "degrees of freedom" (mental freedom that is). :wink:
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Ercan2121
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Post by Ercan2121 »

Consciousness is a relatively recent acquision of Nature
and it's still in 'experimental' state (Carl Jung)
Last edited by Ercan2121 on Tue May 17, 2011 8:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Ercan2121
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Post by Ercan2121 »

Ercan2121 wrote:Consciousness is a relatively recent acquision of Nature
and it's still in 'experimental' state (Carl Jung)
For even more, please refer to Jung's introductory article to Man & His Symbols.
Thanks

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