Description
Book SynopsisThe twenty-first century could well be Jung's century, just as the twentieth century was Freud's. Jung predicted the demise of secular humanism and claimed we would search for alternatives to science, atheism and reason. We would experience a new and even unfashionable appetite for the sacred. Educated people, however, would not return to unreconstructed religions, because these do not express the life of the spirit as discerned by modern consciousness. The sacred has developed a darker hue, and worshipping symbols of light and goodness no longer satisfies the longings of the soul. The new sacred cannot be contained by the formulas of the past, but nor can we live without a sense of the sacred. We stand in a difficult place: between traditional religions we have outgrown and a pervasive materialism we can no longer embrace.
These changes in our culture have come sooner than Jung might have imagined. In his time Jung struck many as eccentric or unscientific. But his works speak
Trade Review
"Tacey has written extensively on Jungian psychology, Western culture, and postmodern theory. Inthis volume, he explores Carl Jung in the light of contemporary society and "the social and cultural landscape of spirit." According to Tacey, Jungian psychology may be more applicable to modem existence than it was to Jung's lifetime. In light of Jung's work, Tacey looks at Western religion and examines the "dark" aspects that are currently manifested in this culture (e.g., violence, fanaticism, extremism). This polarizing mind-set is a failure to look inward and grow toward a more integrated, holistic, global worldview. Wholeness, rather than perfection, should be the spiritual goal. Tacey examines why Jung has fallen out of favor over the past years and looks closely at the critics, addressing their major concerns. An entire chapter is dedicated to an exploration of James Hillman's work. The Darkening Spirit is a companion volume to Gods and Diseases (2013), as well as The Jung Reader (2012). This volume would be an excellent addition to any collection of Jung's work and critiques of Jung. Well researched, extensively documented with index. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels."- J. Bailey, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, North Carolinain CHOICE
"Tacey has written extensively on Jungian psychology, Western culture, and postmodern theory. Inthis volume, he explores Carl Jung in the light of contemporary society and "the social and cultural landscape of spirit." According to Tacey, Jungian psychology may be more applicable to modem existence than it was to Jung's lifetime. In light of Jung's work, Tacey looks at Western religion and examines the "dark" aspects that are currently manifested in this culture (e.g., violence, fanaticism, extremism). This polarizing mind-set is a failure to look inward and grow toward a more integrated, holistic, global worldview. Wholeness, rather than perfection, should be the spiritual goal. Tacey examines why Jung has fallen out of favor over the past years and looks closely at the critics, addressing their major concerns. An entire chapter is dedicated to an exploration of James Hillman's work. The Darkening Spirit is a companion volume to Gods and Diseases (2013), as well as The Jung Reader (2012). This volume would be an excellent addition to any collection of Jung's work and critiques of Jung. Well researched, extensively documented with index. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels."- J. Bailey, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, North Carolina
Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Darkening Spirit. The Degraded Spirit in Secular Society. Jung’s Advocacy of Spiritual Experience. Jung and the Prophetic Life. Jung’s Ambivalence Toward Religion. Spiritual Renewal From Below. The Integration of the Dark Side. The Return of Soul to the World: Jung and Hillman. The Problem of the Spiritual in the Reception of Jung. Conclusion: Jung’s Contribution to a New Religious Vision.
