Quantum Mechanics and Jungian Psychology: Building a Bridge

Introduction

Psyche and matter exist in one and the same world, and each partakes of the other, otherwise any reciprocal action would be impossible. If research could only advance far enough, therefore, we would arrive at an ultimate agreement between physical and psychological concepts. (JUNG 10)

Quantum mechanics has been in existence for more than half a century, while Jungian psychology has been developing for more than a century, but neither has had much influence upon collective thinking. There are many reasons for this, but I suggest that the minimal influence of Jung's thought stems largely from its incompatibility with the prevailing mechanistic materialistic world view inherited from nineteenth-century science. That so many, both within and without the scientific community, are still wed to this antiquated world view illustrates how difficult it has been to assimilate the changes in our perspective demanded by both quantum mechanics and depth-psychology.

Despite the unprecedented and overwhelming success of quantum mechanics, assimilation of its meaning and philosophic import has been beset by several difficulties. First, even though its theoretical structure is well understood, there has been great controversy surrounding its philosophic interpretation. Recent theoretical and experimental results have thrown much light into this murky area (GREENBERGER 6).