Please note this is a two part seminar and workshop. Tickets can be purchased separately. Friday evening's topic: although Jung had a keen interest in the collective psyche early in his career, over time he became increasingly focused on the notion of individuation, and less on collective phenomenon. Today we have become increasingly aware that the understanding of the collective psyche is essential both in the development of the individual as well as the development of group social, political, and cultural life. Dr. Singer has been engaged in expanding Jung’s original theory of complexes in individuals into the realms of the group and cultural psyche. In this lecture, Dr. Singer will describe the origins, purpose, and characteristics of the cultural complex theory and will illustrate the theory with examples from the collaborative researches of Jungian colleagues around the world.
The Saturday workshop will focus on contemporary examples of cultural complexes, including the current crisis of American society, government and leadership. Many other conflicts around the world (Brexit, Palestinian/Israeli) can also be viewed through the lens of the cultural complex theory which Dr. Singer has developed over the past decade. Particular emphasis will be given to the cultural complex of Trumpism and participants in the workshop will be encouraged to contribute their own thoughts and experiences about how cultural complexes live in individuals and groups.
Presenter Biography
Thomas Singer, M.D., is a psychiatrist and Jungian analyst in private practice in San Francisco. He is the editor of a series of books which explore cultural complexes in different parts of the world, including Australia (Placing Psyche), Latin America (Listening to Latin America), Europe (Europe's M), any Souls and worldwide (The Cultural Complex). He is currently working on books about cultural complexes in Asia and in the United States. In addition Dr. Singer has edited Psyche and the City, The Vision Thing, Initiation: The Living Reality of an Archetype. He had co-edited two volumes in the Ancient Greece, Modern Psyche Series and co-authored A Fan's Guide to Baseball Fever. Dr. Singer currently serves as the President of National ARAS which explores symbolic imagery from all cultures since the beginning of human history. His most recent articles include, 'Trump and the American Selfie' in A Clear and Present Danger: Narcissism in the Era of Donald Trump and 'Trump and the American Collective Psyche' in The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump.