Perspectives on Synchronicity, Inspiration, and the Soul

This book explores the notion of the human psyche (soul) and its continuing usefulness in the background of the ongoing and always accelerating techno-scientific revolution. The main argument here follows the assumption that this revolution, while not necessarily being a threat to humankind, is often blind or ignorant as to its subject, the human being.In the first chapters, the reader is invited to reflect on the notion of thinking as a phenomenon of consciousness that transcends merely having thoughts. Relating thinking to consciousness requires reconsidering the phenomena of inspiration and ecstasy. Provided that such a thing as inspiration exists, it makes sense to revise the solipsist or substantialist account often given of the human mind. The book defines inspiration as a clairvoyance of ones psyche, and ecstasy as the experience of this clairvoyance.Next, a case is made for synchronicity experiences as a key to a better understanding of the human psyche. While being enigmatic all throughout, synchronicity experiences, both on the individual and on the collective level, help overcome both subject/object and body/mind dualisms. It is not likely, though, that the solution they could offer will be readily accepted by (what is called) science today, since it challenges one of the latters basic premises, causality. As a more concrete example of a condensed synchronicity experience, the author dwells on physiognomy.In the final chapter, death and suffering are discussed as extreme, and therefore relevant, experiences of consciousness. The book interprets death in terms of enhanced subliminality, and suffering as unconscious resistance against maturing.Generally, this book explores a psycho-philosophical tradition, rooted in Romantic thinking (from Schelling and Schopenhauer until Klages and Jung), which has hitherto been unjustly neglected, if not repressed, by mainstream materialism and positivism. It makes a strong case for an intellectual account of the soul. See more