Psychology as Ethics: Reading Jung with Kant, Nietzsche and Aristotle

Jung developed an original and pluralistic psycho-ethical model based on the cooperation of consciousness with the unconscious mind. Giovanni Colacicchi provides a philosophically grounded analysis of the ethical relevance of Jungs analytical psychology and of the concept of individuation, arguing that Jung transforms Kants consciousness of duty into the duty to be conscious and endorsing Nietzsches project of an individual ethics beyond collective morality. Colacicchi shows that Jung is concerned with the human need to acquire a balance between reason and emotions and puts forward a moral psychology of the Christian notion of evil. Psychology as Ethics will be of interest to researchers in the history of ideas and the philosophy of the unconscious, as well as to therapists and counsellors who wish to place their psychodynamic work in its philosophical context.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 154 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Through his extensive clinical work and deep engagement with prominent figures in the philosophical tradition, Jung formulated an innovative and multifaceted psycho-ethical model that revolves around the harmonious collaboration between consciousness and the unconscious mind. By incorporating direct quotations from Jung's renowned works, such as The Red Book and his interviews and seminars, alongside seminal texts by Kant, Nietzsche, Aristotle, and Augustine, Giovanni Colacicchi offers a philosophically grounded exploration of the ethical significance of Jung's analytical psychology and the concept of individuation, which forms its core. The author contends that Jung transcends Kant's notion of consciousness of duty by advocating for the duty to be conscious, while also endorsing Nietzsche's project of an individual ethics that extends beyond collective morality. Colacicchi demonstrates that Jung shares Aristotle's concern for achieving a harmonious balance between reason and emotions, and he presents a moral psychology that aligns with the Christian notion of evil, drawing upon his understanding of the shadow. Consequently, Jung's psycho-ethical paradigm possesses the capacity to integrate ethical theories that are often perceived as mutually exclusive.

Psychology as Ethics will captivate scholars engaged in the study of intellectual history and the philosophy of the unconscious, as well as therapists and counselors seeking to contextualize their psychodynamic work within a philosophical framework. It will serve as a vital reference for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, seminars, and research in Jungian and Post-Jungian studies, philosophy, psychoanalytic studies, psychology, religious studies, and the social sciences.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 157 x 229 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367529239