Archetypes in Religion and Beyond
A Practical Theory of Human Integration and Inspiration
by Robert M. Ellis
Paperback (Published)
(February 2022)
ISBN: 9781800500778
6.14 x 9.21 inches
Price: $34.00
In stock
Hardback (Published)
(February 2022)
ISBN: 9781800500761
6.14 x 9.21 inches
Price: $100.00
On back order
This book puts forward a far-reaching new theory of archetypes that is functional without being reductive.
The Jungian concept of archetypes is of immense value for critically distinguishing what is potentially of universal practical value in religious and other cultural traditions, and separating this from the dogmatic elements. However, Jung encumbered the concept of archetypes with debatable constructions like the ‘collective unconscious’ that are unnecessary for understanding their practical function. This book puts forward a far-reaching new theory of archetypes that is functional without being reductive. At the centre of this is the idea that archetypes are adaptations to help us maintain inspiration over time. Humans are such distractable beings that they need constant reminders to maintain integration with their most sustainable intentions: reminders using the profound power of symbol linked to embodied experience. This multi-disciplinary book weaves together religious studies, ethical philosophy, the psychology of bias, the neuroscience of brain lateralisation, the linguistics of embodied meaning, the feedback loops of systems theory, with a lifetime’s experience of Buddhist practice and appreciation of symbolism in the arts: all with the aim of producing a fresh understanding of the role of archetypes in religion and beyond, that can also be directly applied in practice.
Table of Contents List of Figures Introduction 1. What is an Archetype? a. The Experience of Archetypes b. The Universality of Archetypes c. Archetypes as Embodied Schemas d. Archetypes as Metaphors e. The Baggage of the ‘Collective Unconscious’ f. The Baggage of Platonism g. Archetypes and Religion h. Archetypes, Tradition, and Modernity i. Evidence and Testability 2. The Projection of Archetypes a. The Projection Process b. Reactive Projection c. Projection as Metaphysical Belief d. Projection as the Denial of Embodiment e. Projection as Left-Hemisphere Over-Dominance f. Projection as Bias g. Projection as Reinforcing Feedback h. Projection as Power i. Projection as Evil 3. The Integration of Archetypes a. The Middle Way and the Integration Process b. Integration and Mindfulness c. Integration and the Arts d. Critical Universalism e. Working with Traditions 4. Categorization of Archetypes a. The Basis of Archetypal Categorization b. Variations of the Four Archetypes c. The Hero and the Ego d. The Anima/Animus, Sex, and Specialization e. The Shadow, Death, and Suffering f. God and Religious Experience g. The Middle Way Archetype 5. Archetypes in Religious Traditions a. Ethnic and Universal Religion b. The Buddha c. Mahayana Symbology d. Hinduism: The Great Appropriation e. The Archetype of Nature in China f. Yahweh, Idolatry, and Literacy g. Graeco-Roman Tradition h. Christ i. Christian Mythology j. Christian Mysticism k. Islam: The Tawhid l. Islam: Jihad and the Satanic Verses m. The Kabbalah 6. Archetypal Function in ‘Secular’ Concepts a. Nature b. Goodness c. Truth d. Beauty e. Rationality f. Humanity g. Democracy h. Health Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography Glossary Index
- By (author) Robert M. Ellis
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