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Psychiatric Studies (The Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Vol. 1)

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One wonders whether some of the reviewers here have actually read more than the dust-jackets or editor's introductions in Jung's books. To criticize a volume like this as simply of historical interest is avoiding the other side of that statement, which is the history that is being refered to. These studies of Jung's are still remarkable to read for their insight into topics that are filled with misconception even today, 100+ years later. When one realises that Jung was not yet 30 when he wrote many of these papers, one has to be impressed with his depth of perception and ability to understand his patients and synthesize the concepts of others as an aid in that understanding. I do not see anyone reviewing Bleuler's work in the 21st century, certainly nothing he wrote in his 20's. The full significance of Jung's early researches is seen mainly when compared with Jung's later works, as it is then that we comprehend the distance that Jung covered between his early efforts as perceptive investigator of psychophysical phenomena to his mature stage as pioneer in delineating the structure and dynamics of the psyche and the nature of personality and what makes these grow and change. To rate him like a hockey player during a tough season begs the question who is the reviewer and does he really understand the significance of what he is reading.

Throughout his works Jung repeatedly says he is a scientist, his findings are empirically based, & therapy must center on the individual client rather than upon theory. This volume supports Jung's contention concerning his commitment to science. Unlike some contemporary "post-Jungians," Jung attempted to evolve psychology into a science--so he disclaimed claims that he was a mystic. This is a very important work which modern readers are advised to read prior to his other works--in order to understand the context within which Jung studied, worked, explored, & experimented. Per modern Knowledge Management, knowledge (vs. data or information) requires context in order to become actionable. In addition, Jung displays his incredible erudition & vast knowledge base--providing some interesting quotes such as: p. 132-3 `If there is any field of experience that teaches the dependence of action upon the emotions, that field is certainly psychiatry. The inferiority of the intellect as compared with instinctual impulses in regard to voluntary decisions is so striking...the role played by the intellect is mostly a subsidiary one, since all it does as best is to give its already existing characterological motive the appearance of a logically compelling sequence of ideas, and at worst (which is what usually happens) to construct intellectual motives afterwards'--quoting Schopenhauer. And, p. 180ff `Outward behavior exerts a great influence on mental activity'--quoting Richarz 1856

The papers (including "On the Psychology and Pathology of So-called Occult Phenomena") in this volume were written between 1902 and 1905, when Jung was one of Freud's chief disciples.

Here are some representative quotations from the book:

"We possess no infallible method of unmasking the malingerer and are as dependent as ever on the subjective impression he makes on the observer." (Pg. 159)
"Simulation of insanity is in general a rather rare phenomenon, being confined almost entirely to persons in detention and convicts." (Pg. 188)
"It is not so very uncommon for two psychiatric diagnoses to reach contradictory conclusions, especially when, as in the present case, it is a question of the very elastic borderline between complete irresponsibility and partial responsibility." (Pg. 209)
"The asylum should never become the executive organ of criminal law. By relieving criminal justice of inconvenient elements we do not make them better, we merely ruin our asylums." (PG. 218)

With 20th century starts, C.G. Jung began his career as a psychiatrist. This book opens with Jung's dissertation "On the psychology and pathology of so-called occult phenomena". This study foreshadows much of his later works, and analyzes the case of somnambulism in a girl with poor inheritance. The next is "On hysterical misreading". In reply to the review of an earlier paper, accepted views on hysterical misreading are reiterated, and the theories are supported by interpretations from a clinical case. This book also includes studies of "hyterical parapraxes in reading", "Cryptomnesia", "On manic mood disorder", "simulated insanity" etc. It might be interesting to compare Jung's early papers with "Study on Hysterie", Freud's first psycho-anaystic work.

....back in the word association days in which he did his best to fit psyche into the mold of Newtonian science. Outdated except as a history of Jung's early work and glimpses at later developments.