1. By the end of today’s lesson you will:
Be able to explain CARL JUNG’S idea of religious as a product of the human mind.
Understand why Jung sees religion as beneficial to one’s mental health.
Be able to define the following terms:
Collective unconscious
Archetypes
Individuation
The God within
Skills Focus
- AO1 – knowledge and understanding
Specialist language and vocabulary

2. AO1 – Knowledge and Understanding
Spec Check – Component 2: Philosophy Theme 2: Challenges to religious belief
AO1 – Knowledge and Understanding
E: Religious belief as a product of the human mind – Carl Jung:
Religion necessary for personal growth with reference to: collective unconsciousness; individuation; archetypes; the God within.
Supportive evidence including recognition of religion as a source of comfort and promotion of positive personal and social mindsets arising from religious belief.
Challenges including lack of empirical evidence for Jungian concepts and reductionist views regarding religious belief arising from acceptance of Jung’s ideas.

3. Who was Carl Gustav Jung?
Swiss
Brought up in a Christian family – his father ws a Reformed pastor.
Lost his faith in Christianity after experiencing three distressing dreams.
Studied medicine at Basel University.
Became interested in mental illness after working in a mental hospital.
Worked closely with Freud, but rejected many of Freud’s ideas.

4. Carl Jung Read through each section in twos/threes.
Interrogate the text to find the answers to the questions.
Make a note of anything you need clarifying.
You MUST make additional notes as we discuss the ideas together.
Use pages of Matthew Taylor’s OCR book.

5. The Collective Unconscious
What are the three parts of the mind, according to Jung?
Consciousness
Personal unconsciousness
Collective unconsciousness
What causes mental illness?
An imbalance of psychic energy (energy of the mind) due to the conscious and unconscious parts not integrating.
What did Jung believe the link between the symbols of his patients and those of religious text pointed towards?
A collective unconscious shared by people.
Let’s unpack these ideas …
Read p Carl Gustav Jung section

6. Jung and Archetypes

7. The human mind / psyche Ego Collective (Conscious) unconscious
Conscious thoughts and feelings.
The personality that we’re aware of.
Universal – we all have it. It’s innate within everyone
Shared – collective
Contains the blueprints for a whole range of ideas and images.
Predates the individual
Inherited and does not depend on the personal experience of the individual.
The place of the archetypes.
Mental illness (neurosis) = when the conscious and unconscious part of the mind do not integrate.
Ego
(Conscious)
Collective
unconscious
Experiences we’ve had that are difficult to bring to our conscious.
E.g. First feelings of excitement or fear. First TV programme you watched etc.
Personal
unconscious

8. Archetypes What is an ‘archetype’?
Symbolic forms that all people share in their collective unconscious.
They generate images in the conscious mind.
How is the image of light often interpreted?
As relating to God.
What is the ‘persona’ archetype?
The public image people present to others.
Why did Jung suggest that the ‘self’ was the most important archetype?
Because it expresses individuality. (The different parts of the mind have been successfully integrated.)
Let’s unpack these ideas …
Read p Archetypes section

9. Archetypes Archetypes are found within the collective unconscious.
Archetypes are image generators. They are distinct from the images they generate which are manifest in the conscious – e.g. in dreams, myths etc.
Jung said that it is not “a question of inherited ideas, but of a functional disposition to produce the same or very similar ideas.” (Symbols and Transformation).
In other words, the mind contains structures, which when combined with the knowledge gained through our experiences, construct uniform images.

10. Archetypes
Consider the difference between the hunger drive and the desire to eat cheesy chips.
You’re born with the disposition to feel hungry.
You are not born with the innate knowledge of cheesy chips.
Through the experiences of your life, however, the feeling of hunger combines with your knowledge of food and manifests itself in the desire for a particular food.
How does this relate to Jung’s idea on archetypes?

11. God the archetype (God within)
How does Jung understand the concept of God?
As an archetype which is manifest in religious images.
Why are there many different religions around the world?
The archetypes are the same, but the archetypal images are dependent on people’s backgrounds and cultures.
How does Jung explain religious experiences?
They are revelations of the God archetype through images.
Read p228 ‘God the archetype’.

12. Religion and God the archetype
What is ‘individuation’?
The integration of the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind to develop the ‘Self’.
Jung calls this process ‘coming to self-hood’.
He said that the archetype of the Self and the archetype of God cannot easily be distinguished from one another.
They are both impossible to describe and understand.
Symbols of God and the Self are both symbols of unity.
Individuation is about wholeness and totality: these are the goals of religion.
Read p228 ‘Religion and the God the archetype’.

13. Individuation
According to Jungian psychology, individuation (German: Individuation) is a process of psychological integration. "In general, it is the process by which individual beings are formed and differentiated [from other human beings]; in particular, it is the development of the psychological individual as a being distinct from the general, collective psychology."
Individuation is a process of transformation whereby the personal and collective unconscious are brought into consciousness (e.g., by means of dreams, active imagination, or free association) to be assimilated into the whole personality. It is a completely natural process necessary for the integration of the psyche. Individuation has a holistic healing effect on the person, both mentally and physically.
In addition to Jung's theory of complexes, his theory of the individuation process forms conceptions of an unconscious filled with mythic images, a non-sexual libido, the general types of extraversion and introversion, the compensatory and prospective functions of dreams, and the synthetic and constructive approaches to fantasy formation and utilization.
"The symbols of the individuation process mark its stages like milestones, prominent among them for Jungians being the shadow, the wise old man . . . and lastly the anima in man and the animus in woman." Thus, "There is often a movement from dealing with the persona at the start to the ego at the second stage, to the shadow as the third stage, to the anima or animus, to the Self as the final stage. Some would interpose the Wise Old Man and the Wise Old Woman as spiritual archetypes coming before the final step of the Self."

14. Religion and God the archetype
If one rejects religion, one is at the same time rejecting a substantial part of the individuation mechanism.
Those who reject religion are therefore less likely to individuate successfully, and therefore more likely to experience neurosis as a result of the remaining psychological tension.
Therefore, for Jung, religion is valuable.
Read p228 ‘Religion and the God the archetype’.

15. Essay planning
Religion necessary for personal growth with reference to:
Collective unconsciousness;
Individuation
Archetypes
The God within
In pairs, write a perfect paragraph for your designated paragraph
Follow the PEEL structure
Use your reading and notes to help you – Ask for help if you need it

16. Consolidation Tasks
Read pages in your workbooks. Highlight significant information such as examples that you could you to explain Jung’s ideas.
Create a learning aid (e.g. mind-map, flashcards) to summarise Jung’s ideas. You must include the following:
Collective unconscious
Archetypes
Individuation
The God within
At least one point/example from Dauphin’s article
Compare and contrast Freud and Jung’s ideas. Whose view do you most agree with and why?

17. By the end of today’s lesson you will:
Have reinforced your understanding of Jung’s view of religious belief.
Have considered the strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view.
Understand the following challenges to Jung’s view:
Lack of empirical evidence for Jungian concepts.
Reductionist views regarding religious belief.
Have evaluated Jung’s views about religious belief.
Skills Focus
AO1 – knowledge and understanding
AO2 – analysis and evaluation
Specialist language and vocabulary

18. AO1 – Knowledge and Understanding AO2 – Analysis and Evaluation
Spec Check – Component 2: Philosophy Theme 2: Challenges to religious belief
AO1 – Knowledge and Understanding
AO2 – Analysis and Evaluation
E: Religious belief as a product of the human mind – Carl Jung
Religion necessary for personal growth with reference to: collective unconsciousness; individuation; archetypes; the God within.
Supportive evidence including recognition of religion as a source of comfort and promotion of positive personal and social mindsets arising from religious belief.
Challenges including lack of empirical evidence for Jungian concepts and reductionist views regarding religious belief arising from acceptance of Jung’s ideas.
The extent to which Jung was more positive than Freud about the idea of God.
The effectiveness of empirical approaches as critiques of Jungian views on religion

19. Starter – Speak it out!
Explain Jung’s view on religious belief with your ‘elbow buddy’.
Can you talk about it for three minutes between you?
Use some of the prompts below to help:
Collective unconscious
Archetypes
Individuation
The God within
3 minutes
LO1: To reinforce your understanding of Jung’s view on religious belief

20. Jung’s view on religious beliefs
Listen to the following presentation on Jung’s view that religious beliefs are a product of the human mind and answer the questions on your worksheet.
Can you answer any questions before watching the clip?
Carl Jung - Religious Belief as a Product of the Human Mind
LO1: To reinforce your understanding of Jung’s view on religious belief

21. Strengths and Weaknesses
On your own, write down strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view on religious belief.
Pair up – add to your list.
0:29
0:30
0:32
0:28
0:31
0:26
0:23
0:24
0:25
0:33
0:27
0:35
0:40
0:41
0:42
0:43
0:39
0:38
0:22
0:36
0:37
0:34
0:20
0:06
0:07
0:08
0:09
0:05
0:04
End
0:01
0:02
0:03
0:10
0:11
0:17
0:18
0:19
0:44
0:16
0:15
0:12
0:13
0:14
0:21
1:30
1:15
1:16
1:17
1:18
1:14
1:13
1:09
1:10
1:11
1:12
1:19
1:20
1:27
1:28
1:29
0:45
1:26
1:25
1:21
1:22
1:23
1:24
1:08
1:30
1:07
0:53
0:54
0:55
0:51
0:50
0:46
0:47
0:48
0:49
0:56
0:52
1:03
1:04
1:05
0:57
1:02
1:06
0:58
1:01
0:59
1:00
0:29
0:28
0:31
0:27
0:30
0:24
0:22
0:23
0:25
0:26
0:43
0:39
0:40
0:41
0:42
0:38
0:37
0:33
0:34
0:35
0:36
0:32
0:10
0:04
0:05
0:06
0:07
0:03
0:02
0:44
1:30
End
0:01
0:08
0:09
0:17
0:18
0:19
0:20
0:16
0:15
0:11
0:12
0:13
0:14
0:21
1:07
1:16
1:17
1:18
1:19
1:15
1:14
1:10
1:11
1:12
1:13
1:20
1:21
1:27
1:28
1:29
1:30
1:26
1:25
1:22
1:23
1:24
1:09
1:08
0:52
0:53
0:54
0:55
0:51
0:50
0:46
0:47
0:48
0:49
0:45
0:56
1:03
1:04
1:05
1:06
0:57
1:02
0:58
1:01
0:59
1:00
LO2: To consider the strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view.

22. LO2: To consider the strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view.
Jung’s ideas do not necessarily undermine religion or God.
Jung highlighted the positive effect of religion on a person’s mental health and well-being.
Jung’s explanation as to why there are many different religions/concepts of God seems plausible.
Many religious people live happy and fulfilled lives suggesting a balance of the conscious and unconscious mind.
Evaluate
How valid are the above points?
Can you support any of them further?
LO2: To consider the strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view.

23. LO2: To consider the strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view.
Jung’s ideas have be praised by renowned and respected religious thinkers. E.g.
Charles Hanna (Jungian):“[By studying Jung] we can gain an insight into the ways by which men become aware of God.”
Paul Tillich (Theologian): “[Jung is] one who knows so much about the depths of the human soul …”
Raymond Hostie (Jesuit Theologian): “[Jung has] rediscovered the religious and the sacred and got rid of an overwhelming rationalism”
Evaluate
Why do you think many religious thinkers supported Jung’s view?
Does this support make Jung’s ideas more credible?
LO2: To consider the strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view.

24. Weaknesses/Challenges
There are two challenges to Jung that you must understand because they are on the specification:
Lack of empirical evidence for Jungian concepts.
Reductionist views regarding religious belief.
LO3: To understand the challenges to Jung that are on the specification.

25. (i) Lack of empirical evidence for Jungian concepts
What does ‘empirical’ mean?
Consider the following Jungian concepts. Does it matter if there is not enough empirical evidence for them?:
Collective unconscious
Archetypes
Individuation
LO3: To understand the challenges to Jung that are on the specification.

26. (i) Lack of empirical evidence for Jungian concepts
Read ‘A critical appraisal of Jung’s work’.
In one colour, highlight the arguments that suggest lack of empirical evidence.
In another colour, highlight further arguments that challenge Jung’s thinking. (You can use these additional points for evaluation questions)
LO3: To understand the challenges to Jung that are on the specification.

27. (ii) Reductionist views regarding religious belief
Reductionism is about reducing something complex into something simpler.
Some people criticise Jung claiming that reducing religion to archetypes and individuation damages religion.
In stating that religion is a subjective phenomenon, does he suggest that God is not an objective reality?
Our minds (according to Jung) have projected images that we associate with certain archetypes – in the case of religion the archetype is God. Therefore, God is a projection of our mind and not valuable.
LO3: To understand the challenges to Jung that are on the specification.

28. “Jung’s view on religious belief is valid” Evaluate this view [30]
PESEL
Point – Make a point/argument
Explain – Explain that point/argument
Support – Support the point using evidence, examples or reasoning. (Scholars are good to use here)
EVALUATE – Is the argument any good?
Link – Connect the paragraph to the question and to that which will follow.
Use your notes from today’s lesson, p58-61 in your workbook and the photocopy from Jordan et al to help.
Remember to write a conclusion!
LO4: To evaluate Jung’s view on religious belief.

29. By the end of today’s lesson you will:
Have reinforced your understanding of Jung’s view of religious belief.
Have considered the strengths and weaknesses of Jung’s view.
Understand the following challenges to Jung’s view:
Lack of empirical evidence for Jungian concepts.
Reductionist views regarding religious belief.
Have evaluated Jung’s views about religious belief.
Skills Focus
AO1 – knowledge and understanding
AO2 – analysis and evaluation
Specialist language and vocabulary