Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society: A Depth Psychology Perspective on Magical Thinking, Conspiracy Theories, and Folk Devils Among Us

Description

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 behavioural 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. 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. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Introduction: What Is Nonrational Logic? References Chapter 1: Folk Devils Among Us Folk Devils in the Classroom The Fear and Appeal of the Dark Side The Appeal of Nonrational Thinking Evil and the Origin of the Folk Devil Slenderman as Internet Folk Devil Confronting the Unconscious The Legend and Fantasy of Spring-heeled Jack Folk Devils Within the Psyche References Chapter 2: Magical Thinking = Primary Process Thinking = Delusional Thinking = Hysterical Thinking Intentionality and Confirmation Biases Sympathetic Magic Primitive Energetics Grand Delusions Magical Thinking The Schizotypal Personality A Master of Magical Thinking Hysterical Thinking Red Hysteria: The Russians Are Coming Red Scare Hysteria: The Deep State Version References Chapter 3: Don't Touch, Think, or Do That—Contagion, Contamination, and Taboo Pandemic Pandemonium Psychic Epidemics Bodily Fluids and Body Contamination Paranoia Contamination: "What you do to the Earth, you do to yourself" Contamination from the Other Scapegoats Taboo The Incest Taboo Hope for Humanity Note References Chapter 4: Totemism—The Golden Bough, Toilet, Dildo, and Gun The Birth of a Totem The Palladium and the Taime Psyche and Totem Talismans, Trophies, and Toys The Totem Gold Standard The Second Amendment Totem Totemism and Idolatry References Chapter 5: Soulful and Soulless The Rise of "Extreme Boredom" In Search of Humanity's Lost Soul A Brief History of the Soul The Two Marias The Immortal Dimension of the Psyche Possessed by an Archetype Note References Chapter 6: The Dying and Resurrecting God/King/Hero/Billionaire The Next Evolutionary Stage in Non-Human Development The Gilgamesh Syndrome Dying to Be Reborn Obsessed with Historical Time References Chapter 7: Techpocalypse—Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Smartphone The Archetype of the Apocalypse My Smartphone Is Sexy Life Reform au Naturel Wandering through Wonder Healing the Psychic Split References Index