Jung's Seminar on Nietzsche's Zarathustra [Abridged] [Paperback]

James L. Jarrett (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Jung's Seminar on Nietzsche's Zarathustra | Publication Date: November 3, 1997

Nietzsche's infamous work Thus Spake Zarathustra is filled with a strange sense of religiosity that seems to run counter to the philosopher's usual polemics against religious faith. For some scholars, this book marks little but a mental decline in the great philosopher; for C. G. Jung, Zarathustra was an invaluable demonstration of the unconscious at work, one that illuminated both Nietzsche's psychology and spirituality and that of the modern world in general. The original two-volume edition of Jung's lively seminar on Nietzsche's Zarathustra has been an important source for specialists in depth psychology. This new abridged paperback edition allows interested readers to participate with Jung as he probes the underlying meaning of Nietzsche's great work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nietzsche is perhaps the first Western man to have experienced a psychological encounter with the Self. . . . [This] seminar on Nietzsche's Zarathustra . . . [ is a] magisterial enterprise [that] demonstrates to any perceptive reader Jung's millennial magnitude. -- Psychological Perspectives

From the Back Cover

"A critical event in the history of the human spirit.... C. G. Jung throws new light on Nietzsche's psyche as well as on the condition of the German collective psyche during those fateful years of 1934 to 1939."--James Kirsch

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; Abridged edition (November 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691017387
• ISBN-13: 978-0691017389
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #538,950 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

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jung contra Nietzsche, round 1., March 31, 2001

By 

Sean Gill "bombingnumberten.com" (Hampstead, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jung's Seminar on Nietzsche's Zarathustra (Paperback)

Wonderful analysis, completely devoid of logical gaps or special requests from the reader: everything said, every assertation, is capable of hitting home and clarifying what was before a quirky throw-back of Nietzsche's. And *interesting* to boot -- this book is no long-winded scrutiny of Zarathustra, but rather the transcription of a private group analysis led by Jung, so it never loses itself in the lofty kingdoms of thought that are the bane of so much criticism.

There's a definite sense of total respect for Nietzsche from Jung . . . almost as though Jung himself (one of the more exceptional intellects of our species) was struggling with the great, monstrous geist of Nietzsche for understanding. Which is a nice touch, having so often seen the man debunked as a megalomaniac, or, worse, a run-of-the-mill madman. This book is a must have for any Nietzsche scholar (no matter what the age or education) and, I imagine, quite useful in understanding Jung as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Jung Gem, October 22, 2009

By 

W. Al-Mahdi (Arab Gulf) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Jung's Seminar on Nietzsche's Zarathustra (Paperback)

Two great minds meet - or clash perhaps? Jung offers an incisive, discerning, lucid understanding of the writings of the great philosopher. To anyone who has been baffled by Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Jung elucidates many obscure points. Requires basic understanding of Jungian psychology, though.

Reading Nietzsche can be quite euphoric (it's the deepest stuff I've ever read.) But Jung offers a balanced view - and disentangles Nietzsche's psychology, or which he himself was apparently unaware.

Jung was fascinated by Nietzsche, and then distanced himself from him, fearing Nietzsche's ultimate downfall, a 10 year spell of insanity.

Very satisfying read.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT BUY THIS CHOPPED BOOK, July 28, 2008

By 

paul best "Eyes that see the *dark things*" (new orleans) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jung's Seminar on Nietzsche's Zarathustra (Paperback)

why in the world would Bollingen add this ABRIDGED version in its Jung Series is anyones guess...perhaps for those ona budget that can not afford the $200 complete 2 Vol set? Still its not in anyones interest, to those who are serious in Jung's studies.
This book is 350 pages, all chopped out f a 1500 page complete 2 vol seminar.
thus one ends up losing track of Jung's ideas , you will never come to grasp Nietzsche's intentions on his most difficult and enigmatical work, Zarathustra.
AVOID BUYING THIS BOOK.
Save you $'s and buy the 2 vol set
Read my comments on the Complete Seminar set.
paul Best
July 29,2008