Reading Plato through Jung: Why must the Third become the Fourth?

This book explores Carl Jung's complex reception of Plato, examining why the Third must become the Fourth. It surveys work on Jung's relation to Plato, analyzes his readings of specific texts, and draws upon religious and alchemical traditions, Pythagorean numerology, and Jung's own dream-like experiences. It appeals to practitioners and scholars in the history of ideas, psychoanalysis, philosophy, and psychoanalytic theory.

Format: Hardback
Length: 155 pages
Publication date: 21 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This captivating book delves into the profound Jungian notion that the Third must evolve into the Fourth, offering a unique perspective through Carl Jung's intricate interpretation of Plato. While in the realm of psychoanalytic discourse, the Third is often perceived as a healing agent, the author sheds light on the shift in Jung's perspective, where an initial emphasis on the Third as the "transcendent function" gradually gave way to a growing emphasis on the Fourth. Yet, the question remains: why is it necessary for the Third to become the Fourth? Paul Bishop kickstarts his exploration by surveying a wealth of scholarship on Jung's relationship with Plato. He then delves into Jung's interpretations of key texts such as the Timaeus and the Black Books, as well as Goethe's Faust II and Nietzsche's Zarathustra. Through a meticulous analysis of how Jung weaves together religious and alchemical traditions, Pythagorean numerology, his own dream-like experiences, and Plato's cosmology, Bishop unravels the intricate tapestry of Jung's thoughts on the Third and the Fourth. This book captivates both practitioners and scholars engaged in the fields of history of ideas, psychoanalysis, philosophy, and psychoanalytic theory, offering a rich and thought-provoking exploration of these profound concepts.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 217 x 154 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031168116
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022