Self and Freedom in Jung's Lecture on Ritschl

The Great usefulness in clinical treatment of object relations theories of the self which emphasise formation of essential structures of the personality in infancy or early childhood has tended in recent years somewhat to obscure close investigation of Jung's own theory of the self, even among Jungians. In addition, explication of the newer self theories has been accompanied in the case of each specific theorist/practitioner by richly detailed case studies which guide the practitioner to practical application of the concept. Jung, by contrast, seldom wrote detailed case studies. Information about the application in therapy of Jung's self theory exists largely in oral transmission from master to pupil in Jungian culture. This transmission is quite naturally reduced in clarity in each new generation of analysts, as factors of individual response and interpretation are added to the tradition.

There is still a third reason for the fact that most recent Jungian literature assimilates Jung's self concept to the newer theories in generalising terms. That is, I suspect, because Jung's theory is thought to be metaphysical at a level which might not, or may no longer, cohere with present-day analysts’ own beliefs. Personal belief is a delicate matter; we particularly do not wish to invade the religious beliefs of colleagues. Explicit discussion of the self as Jung wrote about it necessarily involves use of religious terminology. There is therefore much reason to pass gently by the subject.

Reticence on this score may, however, rob us of a vital connection with the Jungian tradition. There is a path of research which is free of value judgments with regard to belief systems but which nevertheless can examine in great detail the relationship between concept, belief, and culture. That is a history of ideas approach. This method of study is particularly appropriate to Jung since we possess a nearly complete written record, in his own hand, of his passions and commitments, from the