Cult Fictions

by Sonu Shamdasani

Controversial claims that C.G. Jung, founder of analytical psychology, was a charlatan and a self-appointed demi-god have recently brought his legacy under renewed scrutiny. The basis of the attack on Jung is a previously unknown text, said to be Jung's inaugural address at the founding of his 'cult', otherwise known as the Psychological Club, in Zurich in 1916. It is claimed that this cult is alive and well in Jungian psychology as it is practised today, in a movement which continues to masquerade as a genuine professional discipline, whilst selling false dreams of spiritual redemption.
In Cult Fictions , leading Jung scholar Sonu Shamdasani looks into the evidence for such claims and draws on previously unpublished documents to show that they are fallacious. This accurate and revealing account of the history of the Jungian movement, from the founding of the Psychological Club to the reformulation of Jung's approach by his followers, establishes a fresh agenda for the historical evaluation of analytical psychology today.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 1998

Reviews

[Steve Ellerhoff]

Significant little book here, plainly and convincingly arguing that Noll's acclaimed books about Jung fail in their speculative assertion that he formed a cult around himself. Shamdasani brings receipts and wastes nobody's time. He lays out his impeachment of Noll's assertions with great civility. Perhaps the most important facet of his case is that it isn't only Jung's detractors who need to mind their Ps and Qs; Jung's proponents also have to live up to the same standards. A must-read for anybody engaging with analytical psychology.

[Frater]

Another great book by Shamdasani on Carl Jung. In this book he refutes Richard Noll author of "The Jung Cult" and "The Aryan Christ". If you have read Noll's books and found them to be totally ridiculous in his polemical attacks on Jung's person and theories of psychology, then this book will satisfy your need for a scholarly refutation. Amazing!

[Marcos Pensive]

Elegantly and sufficiently takes apart the most important claims in Noll's books "The Jung Cult" and "The Aryan Christ", debunking them thoroughly.
Highly recommended for anyone who believed Noll's claims, or anyone interested in good Jung-related scholarship.

[Kenneth Kovacs]

An early expression of Sonu Shamdasani's masterful work as a scholar. Finished reading this text on the 100th anniversary of founding of the The Psychological Club, Zürich.