Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Sky (Routledge Classics) [Paperback]

C.G. Jung (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0415278376 | ISBN-13: 978-0415278379 | Edition: 2

Written in the late 1950s at the height of popular fascination with UFO's, Flying Saucers is the great psychologist's brilliantly prescient meditation on the phenomenon that gripped the world. A self-confessed sceptic in such matters, Jung was nevertheless intrigued, not so much by their reality or unreality, but by their psychic aspect. He saw flying saucers as a modern myth in the making, to be passed down the generations just as we have received such myths from our ancestors. In this wonderful and enlightening book Jung sees UFO's as 'visionary rumours', the centre of a quasi-religious cult and carriers of our technological and salvationist fantasies. 40 years later, with entire religions based on the writings of science fiction authors, it is remarkable to see just how right he has proved to be.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A book that no one seriously interested in the subject can afford to ignore.' - Punch

'Convincing and impressive.' - New Statesman

About the Author

Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961). Founded the analytical school of psychology and developed a radical new theory of the unconscious.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press; 2 edition (June 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415278376
• ISBN-13: 978-0415278379
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,915,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist, an influential thinker and the founder of analytical psychology (also known as Jungian psychology). Jung's radical approach to psychology has been influential in the field of depth psychology and in counter-cultural movements across the globe. Jung is considered as the first modern psychologist to state that the human psyche is "by nature religious" and to explore it in depth. His many major works include "Analytic Psychology: Its Theory and Practice," "Man and His Symbols," "Memories, Dreams, Reflections," "The Collected Works of Carl G. Jung," and "The Red Book."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Work, May 21, 2006

By 

David A. Caruso (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Sky (Routledge Classics) (Paperback)

In the book's title, the word "myth" refers to a psychological framework or imagery, not 'falsehood'. Jung's premise is that whether the phenomenon of UFOs is physically real or not, it is very important; because if it is real, then its importance is obvious, and if its not real -- but thousands of people all over the world are saying they are seeing UFOs -- then that is also very significant.

Jung explores, then, the psychological meaning of the UFOs. He compares the shape of the UFO to the mandala image, or the archetypal image of the Self. He explores various art that has UFOs or strange objects in the sky as a theme, found in art of ancient and in modern history.

Jung also analyzes some stories or tales that have appeared in the modern literature, for instance, a man who says the space beings gave him spiritual enlightenment, or a science fiction writer telling a tale of a great black cloud approaching Earth, or a tale of mysterious children with extraordinary mental abilities. All of these tales have meaning that exposes the underlying psychological dynamics of our present culture and way of life, the deeper significance of which is not well understood.

This book is an important book not only because it exhibits the visionary thinking of a widely-respected psychologist and philosopher, but because the phenomenon is a significant part of our culture, and the way we relate to it says a lot about our civilization at the current time. Therefore, the psychological significance of the UFOs is an important topic of study for anyone who would try to gain insight into the unprecedented and rapid changes our society is undergoing at the present time.