The Cartesian Split: A Hidden Myth

Description

The Cartesian Split examines the phenomenon of Cartesian influence as a psychological complex in the Jungian tradition. It explores the full legacy of Cartesian rationality in its emphasis on abstract thinking and masculinisation of thought, often perceived in a negative light, despite the developments of modernity. The book argues that the Cartesian creation of the Modern Age, as accompanied by a radical dualism, is better understood as a myth while acknowledging the psychological reality of the myth. The Cartesian myth is a collective dream, and the urgency of its rhetoric suggests that an important message is being left unheeded. This message may lead us to answers in the most unexpected place of all. The book brings forth the Cartesian myth in a new context and shows it to have potential meaning for us today. The book will be of great interest for academics, researchers, and post-graduate students in the fields of analytical psychology, mental health, comparative mythology, and Jungian studies. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents List of Figures 1.1 Author’s Impression of Bookstore Drawing 2.1 Thematic Map of the Survey of Abstracts 5.1 Summary of Mythic Elements 5.2 Descartes, by Baudran 5.3 Newton, by Kneller 7.1 Ngram Search Results, by Michel et al Preface Epigraph 1 Introduction The Allure of the Error The Split in the Middle Approaching the Split The Complexity of Complexes Cogito Ergo Non Sum A Complex Offering Outline of Chapters 2 The Initial Sessions Body as Machine Ecological Crisis Feminist Challenge Subjective Difficulties Over-Rationality Limitations in Expression Reduction and Isolation Pairs of Opposites The Dominant Paradigm Old versus New Heroic Transcenders Tragic Transcenders Charged Images First Evaluation 3 The Depth Sessions The Great Revolt The Ghost in the Machine The Masculinization of Thought Cartesian Disenchantment The Cartesian Mirror The Cartesian Theater The Turning Point The Murder of the World Soul Further Evaluation 4 Confronting the Legend The Dawn of Awareness The Problem of Interpretation The Problem of Caricature The Reality of the Problem Descartes’ Dualism The Legend The Two Worlds View Critiquing the Legend Finding Truth in Myth 5 Ancient Memories Tales of the Mirrored World The First Mirror The Dark Mirror The Original Split The Gnostic Two Worlds The Chief Archon The Splitting of the Demiurge A Terrible World Order The First Machine Feminism and Ecology Solipsism and Materialism Gnostic Transcenders Summary 6 Psychological Interpretation Interpretation of the Mirrored Worlds Becoming Conscious of Consciousness Differentiation of Opposites Crossing the Threshold Mutual Causation The One World of Certainty The Creation of Consciousness Death at the Threshold Interpretation of the Split Worlds Gnostic Consciousness Atomic Consciousness Inside the Split The Splitting of the Ego The Splitting of Consciousness Modern Dismemberment 7 Cultural Memories The Anglo-Split Anamnesis A New Look at Olde Times Dismemberment on Stage The Sudden Shift The Splitting of Ritual The Splitting of the Play The Splitting of Cultural Consciousness Faustus’s Internal Split The Residual Memory A Penny for the Guy Religious Dualism The Splitting of Substance Substantial Epochs 8 The Alien Text Descartes’ Disclaimer The Evil Genius Cogito and Consciousness Meditations on Split Consciousness Internalizing Doubt The Process of Doubt A Singular Truth A Single Sapling Inoculation The One Small Part The Religious Problem Meditations on God Divine Substance Mysterious Substance Altered Substance Altered Meditations Index