Emile Durkheim and C. G. Jung: Structuring a Transpersonal Sociology of Religion

Abstract

Religion is a prevalent theme in the works of both Emile Durkheim and C. G. Jung, who participated in a common intellectual milieu. A comparison of Durkheim's collective consciousness and Jung's collective unconscious reveals strikingly similar concepts. The components of these structures, collective representations and archetypes, illustrate interdependent sociological and psychological processes in the theorized creation of religious phenomena. An analysis of the constitutive elements in these processes offers a basis for structuring a transpersonal sociology of religion.

Cognitive Theories of Depression in Online Peer Support Forums: Exploring the Cognitive Triad

“…Participant E1 discusses religion as a potential cause of depression: "I would go out as far as to say that 'praying' can be a cause of depression because it's a value system that doesn't reinforce the individual" (E1: 2-3, TS4). This statement suggests a possible rejection of the external locus of control often associated with prayer and religion, where prayer may consist of asking for assistance from God with problems an individual is experiencing, rather than actively seeking a solution by themselves (Greenwood, 2013). When attempting to understand such references to religion as a contributor to mental illness, a dichotomous conception of locus on control (LOC) may be overly simplistic (O'Hea et al, 2009).…”

Transpersonal Sociology: Origins, Development, and Theory

“…Greenwood's initial article on this, stemming from her thesis, focused on the sociology of religion. Specifically, Greenwood (1990) compared Emile Durkheim's collective consciousness and Carl Jung's collective unconscious. According to Greenwood, Durkheim focused on the outward manifestation of religion, while Jung focused on the inner manifestation, with each conceptualizing corresponding structures through which the religious manifests.…”

“…488). Greenwood (1990) continued on to describe the similarities of the structures, the origin of the structures, and the similarity of the collective consciousness and collective unconscious. Her main thesis seemed to be that the two were, in essence, two sides of the same coin; one the outward manifestation and the other the inner manifestation of religious and spiritual experience within individuals within a social context.…”

Introduction to the Special Topic Section: Jung and Transpersonal Psychology

“…To Greenwood (1990), Jung's perspective on religion represents the inner, psychological, private approach to religion, and Greenwood defined transpersonal as "a simultaneously objective and subjective awareness" (p. 483). A complete transpersonal analysis, she argued, requires incorporating Jung's subjective perspective with another, more objective perspective.…”