This book discusses the psychological understanding of, and approach to, various central questions and aspects of psychological reality, in each case critically examining under what conditions one’s interpretation qualifies as 'truly psychological', i.e. fulfilling the criteria of a rigorous notion of psychology in the Jungian tradition. Providing groundbreaking new insights into psychological theory, Giegerich explores many different topics such as the origin of the notion of the soul (psychē), the rise of monotheism, the psychological significance of Christianity in Western history, the inner, above all tautegorical structure of myth and the soul’s relation to external reality, amongst others. Sometimes surprising and at times challenging, but always concretely based and carefully explained and argued, this book will provide readers with an accessible demonstration of the methodological stance of psychology as the discipline of interiority. This will be of great interest to the Jungian community, psychotherapists and psychoanalysts training in Jungian theory and practice, as well as those interested in psychological, theological and philosophical issues.
