James Freud Jung Flashcards
What does Freud believe is the core of religion
Freud believed religion is an illusion — a psychological crutch rooted in childhood fears and wish-fulfillment.
How does freud believe religion arises (projection theory)
1) mother first (first love)
2) father enters picture (dependence for protection, rival for mother)
3) realize we are still vulnerable as well grow up, look for eternal father
religion essentially a childhood illusion/fantasy
what is oedipus complex
The Oedipus complex is Freud’s idea that a young child unconsciously feels desire for the opposite-sex parent and rivalry or jealousy toward the same-sex parent.
What is William James opinion on Freuds sexual theory / reductionism of religion (medical materialsim
James argued it’s unfair and biased to dismiss religion just because of its origins (like sexuality), since by that logic, anything—including science or art—could be reduced to biology and called meaningless.
how does James define religion
Religion is a personal attitude toward an unseen reality, with the belief that living in harmony with it is life’s highest good. (does not rely on a god)
What are first hand vs second hand religious experiences
First hand: Direct, personal, and often transformative encounters with the divine or unseen reality. (Mystical visions, conversions)
Second hand: Comes after first-hand experiences — usually through organized religion. (attending church, reciting prayer)
what are William James religious temperaments
1) Healthy minded Religion (Focuses on goodness of life, everything happens for a reason)
2) Sick souled religion (deep awareness of sin, suffering, emptiness. Yearns for deeper meaning/salvation)
3) Mixed/Divided/Twice born (Moves from inner conflict to unification, often through conversion.)
Religious vs Mystical experience and 4 qualities of mystical experience (James)
Mystical experience is special kind of religious experience
(PINT)
Ineffability: The experience is so deep or strange that it’s almost impossible to describe in words.
Noetic quality: It feels like it gives you real knowledge or insight, not just a feeling.
Transcience: The experience is usually brief — it doesn’t last forever, even if its impact does.
Passivity: You don’t control it — it happens to you.
psychological effects of religious experience
- sense of safety
- greater earnestness
- heroism, moral vigot
- zest, enthusiasm for life
Jung vs Freud
Initially Freud’s collaborator, Jung broke away, finding Freud’s focus on sexuality too narrow. Jung held a positive view of religion as a natural and meaningful expression of the deep psyche
Personal vs Collective Unconscious (Jung)
Personal: This is the part of your mind that holds your own forgotten memories, repressed feelings, and past experiences.
Collective: This is a deeper, universal layer of the unconscious mind that all humans share. (contains archetypes)
What are Jung’s archetypes
Archetypes are universal mental patterns or symbolic “templates” that all humans are born with — like deep, shared instincts for how we understand the world.
Common archetypes: the hero, the mother, the shadow, rebirth/resurrection
What are Jung’s evidence for archetypes
1) Recurring motifs in dreams worldwide.
2) Similar symbolic forms in art/active imagination across different times/places.
3) Mythic themes echoed in the delusions of psychiatric patients.
4) Repeated mythological motifs (hero’s quest, divine ancestry).
5) Universality suggests origins deeper than just cultural diffusion. (Transcribed Notes p2)
How is Religion an expression of archetypes
Jung believes that religion is an expression of archetypes
The Resurrection of Christ, the rebirth of the Phoenix, and the return of spring all express the Rebirth archetype.
How do Freud, James and Jung differ in their view of religion’s value
Freud: Religion is an illusion stemming from infantile dependencies (negative).
James: Religion is variegated; while certainly psychological, it can be valid, meaningful, transformative (positive).
Jung: Religion emerges from deep collective archetypes, a natural outgrowth of universal symbolic patterns (positive).
How do Freud, James and Jung differ in their explanation of religions origins
Freud: A projection of the father figure (family dynamics + sexual ambivalence).
James: No single origin claim—emphasizes first-hand experiences and the unseen reality to which humans respond.
Jung: Collective unconscious shapes religious forms, manifested through archetypal images.
How do Freud, James and Jung differ in the role of sexuality in religion
Freud: Nearly everything in psyche traces back to sexual or libidinal conflicts.
James: Criticizes the “sexual theory” as an overly narrow attempt at discrediting religion.
Jung: Agrees with James that religion cannot be reduced to sexuality; sees many archetypes beyond the sexual realm.
How do Freud, James and Jung differ in their attitude toward mystical/non rational
Freud: Skeptical, sees them as illusions or neuroses.
James: Thoroughly analyzes mystical states as important “peak” forms of religious life.
Jung: Explores mystical experiences as expressions of the collective unconscious in archetypal form.
