Joseph Lee, a Jungian Analyst, discusses Carl Jung, collective consciousness, and archetypes. The podcast covers a comparison between Jung and Freud, Joseph Campbell's work on the hero's journey, the Marvel universe as a modern collection of stories, the power of rituals, and the emergence of archetypes. It also explores the application of archetypes in national security and marketing, archetypes in teams, contextual parameters, creating a new myth, and the impact of vivid imagery.
Archetypes shape typicalities and recurring patterns in individuals and cultures, influencing values and behaviors.
Contextual parameters determine when and how archetypes become activated and influential in individuals and cultures.
Movies and storytelling have the potential to create new myths and resonate with a diverse audience by capturing archetypal themes and symbolism.
Deep dives
The Emergence of Archetypes in Individuals and Cultures
Archetypes are powerful psychological structures that exist in the human psyche, shaping typicalities and recurring patterns of thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. These archetypes can manifest in individuals and cultures, influencing their values, beliefs, and collective behavior. For example, in the Marvel movies, each superhero represents a specific archetype that plays a role within the team. Similarly, in German culture during the rise of the Nazi party, the archetype of Wotan, the god of war, seemed to constellate in the collective psyche, influencing the values and attitudes of the German people. Understanding these archetypes and their influence is crucial in comprehending individual and cultural dynamics.
Conditions for Archetype Manifestation and the Search for a New Myth
Archetypes require specific conditions to manifest in individuals and cultures. These conditions can be likened to contextual parameters, resembling the necessary elements for a particular phenomena to occur. The contextual parameters determine when and how an archetype becomes activated and influential. In the United States, the search for a new myth or story that resonates with the diverse population and provides a sense of cohesion is ongoing. The Founding Fathers and established religions have not been able to provide a unifying myth. This search for a new myth reflects the desire for a mythic framework that can organize the complexities, chaos, and diversity of the modern world.
The Power of Image and Symbolism in Mythology
The power of archetypes is often conveyed through images and symbolism, allowing the human psyche to connect with and embody the mythic patterns. In Christianity, for example, the archetypal story of the Redeemer and the Messiah provides a mythic framework, but its power and influence have diminished in Western society. This may be attributed to the removal of imagery and art from Protestant churches, limiting the visual representation and connection to archetypal forces. The absence of imagery affects the collective ability to engage with archetypes, making it necessary to explore alternative ways of creating meaningful and impactful mythologies.
The Potential of Contemporary Cultural Expression and Filmmaking
Contemporary cultural expressions, such as movies and other forms of storytelling, hold potential for creating new myths and resonating with a diverse audience. By capturing archetypal themes and incorporating symbolism, movies like Star Wars and the Marvel series have captivated audiences and generated mythic resonance. These stories tap into universal archetypes, providing a sense of meaning and connection. However, the search for a new myth or story that truly unifies and guides society is an ongoing process, requiring continued exploration and cultural expression.
The Future of Archetypal Development and Emergence
The study of archetypes and their influence on individuals and cultures is still evolving. Exploring contextual parameters, conditions for archetype manifestation, and the power of image and symbolism in cultural expressions can deepen our understanding of archetypal dynamics. Recognizing the emergence of new myths or stories that resonate with contemporary societies is essential for providing a sense of cohesion, meaning, and psychological integration in an ever-changing world.
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association.
Can archetypes be modeled, analyzed, and applied in support of national security? During this episode, Joseph Lee discusses Carl Jung, collective consciousness, and archetypes. Our wide ranging discussion covers a comparison between Jung and Freud, Joseph Campbell’s work on myth and the hero’s journey, the Marvel universe as a modern day collection of stories about gods, the power of rituals, and archetype emergence.
Joseph R. Lee is a Jungian Analyst in private practice in Southern VA. He is co-host and co-creator of This Jungian Life podcast, as well as the online learning program DreamSchool, where people learn how to interpret their own dreams. He is president emeritus of The Philadelphia Association of Jungian Analysts that provides analytic training.
About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain.