In class today, we spoke of the collective unconsciousness. It encompasses the idea that, in addition to our personal consciousness and personal unconsciousness, we all share an unconsciousness that links all individuals of a species together. The link is in the form of a seemingly inherited "shape" of the human mind that is similar to a species. I can see this definition being explained as in two different ways: genetic or spiritual.
From a physical standpoint, the thesis checks out. It is true that members of a species have very similar genes and these genes have been proven to dictate many social norms. As humans, we all have a natural propensity to have friends, procreate, gain knowledge, and so on. These are dictated by genetic factors. Our genetics predispose us to what sets apart as our species and what sets us apart is common to all (collective unconsciousness). Thus, we share an unconsciousness because of genetics. The assumption that must be made, however, is that because we share things as humans, that makes our minds connected. Because of this, we must separate the physical from the non-physical, which weakens the argument somewhat.
Another explanation would be a metaphysical one. In order for this to be explained, certain assumptions need to be made. For one, our conscious unconscious minds must both be connected to the soul because our soul is the essence of ourselves. Thus, it encompasses all parts of us. Now, in order for there to be an unconscious that is collective to all of us, we must have our souls connected to something common--i.e. a god, an energy, etc.. If we are all connected to this common "entity", it would follow that we would share in many of the same experiences. The main problem that people have with this idea is that it is largely unverifiable from a physical standpoint--it takes faith.
Is one of these explanations true and the other a myth? Are they both true or both a myth? And so the debate rages on...
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