Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society: A Depth Psychology Perspective on Magical Thinking, Conspiracy Theories, and Folk Devils Among Us PDF
Preview Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society: A Depth Psychology Perspective on Magical Thinking, Conspiracy Theories, and Folk Devils Among Us
Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society explores modern examples of beliefs that defy logic but nevertheless are enthusiastically embraced by legions of contemporary people living in technologically advanced societies. The appeal of nonrational logic is based upon C.G. Jung’s ideas regarding archetypes, considered to be unconscious thought and behavioral patterns universal to all of humanity and expressed in dreams, art, religion, and reports of supernatural and paranormal experiences such as the belief in UFOs, conspiracy theories associated with child sacrifice and devil worship, lizard people who secretly rule the world, and internet demons whom many insist are real. C.G. Jung insisted that archetypal reality must be acknowledged for what it is: expressions of universal truths about the human condition. He also warned about the dangers inherent in denying these truths as well as taking these archetypal expressions as literal facts about the workings of physical reality. Nonrational Logic includes a multitude of examples from world folklore and reports of traditional customs from around the world collected in the multivolume anthropological classic, The Golden Bough, by James Frazer, comparing these traditional reports with contemporary ones to underscore the human psyche’s obsessive desire to embrace the fantastic, the extraordinary, and the unbelievable. Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society is important reading for analytical psychologists, Jungian psychotherapists, and other professionals as well as the general public seeking to understand how prevalent nonrational thinking is in modern societies and how it reflects traditional expressions. Jim Kline received his PhD in Psychology with Jungian Studies Specialization, Saybrook University, San Francisco, CA. He is a professor of psychology at the Northern Marianas College, Northern Mariana Islands. His previous publications have appeared in such Jungian-themed Journals as Psychological Perspectives, Jung Journal, Spring Journal, and The International Journal of Jungian Studies. He is also the author of The Otherworld in Myth, Folklore, Cinema, and Brain Science. Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society A Depth Psychology Perspective on Magical Thinking, Conspiracy Theories, and Folk Devils Among Us Jim Kline Designed cover image: Karl Freund First published 2023 by Routledge 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business ©2023 Jim Kline The right of Jim Kline to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978-1-032-22187-8 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-032-22190-8 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-27148-2 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9781003271482 Typeset in Times New Roman by MPS Limited, Dehradun For James Hollis Mentor, friend, and guide through the depths Contents Introduction: What Is Nonrational Logic? 1 1 Folk Devils Among Us 13 2 Magical Thinking = Primary Process Thinking = Delusional Thinking = Hysterical Thinking 29 3 Don’t Touch, Think, or Do That—Contagion, Contamination, and Taboo 60 4 Totemism—The Golden Bough, Toilet, Dildo, and Gun 90 5 Soulful and Soulless 114 6 The Dying and Resurrecting God/King/Hero/ Billionaire 148 7 Techpocalypse—Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Smartphone 168 Index 202 Introduction: What Is Nonrational Logic? In the 1927 German silent film classic, Metropolis (Lang), a super-modern, technologically advanced city hides a dark secret. Figure I.1 Movie poster for Metropolis (Lang 1927). Source: Creative Commons. DOI: 10.4324/9781003271482-1
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