The Jung-White Letters

by Ann Conrad Lammers, Victor White, Murray B. Stein

The Jung-White Letters charts fifteen years correspondence between C. G. Jung & Victor White, an English Dominican theologian. The dialog provides insights into the development of Jung's thought & the relationship between psychology & religion.
Jung hoped that correspondence with White would help him to reinterpret classic Xian symbols. White sought Jung's support to integrate analytical psychology into Catholic theology. Altho both were committed to a productive collaboration, the letters trace a trajectory toward a crisis of misunderstanding & betrayal, culminating in a sharpening of disagreements after publication of Jung's Answer to Job .
The letters are presented with attention to authenticity. Jung's previously published letters have been restored to their original style. The text is annotated throughout with historical, literary & personal references. A wealth of editorial material is included to set the letters in context, including a memoir of Victor White.
Jung's engagement with White was an essential dialog contributing to his late writings, forcing him to refine his critique of classical theology. This volume will be of great interest to analytical psychologists, psychoanalysts, psychotherapists & all interested in the complex relationship between psychology & religion.

Genres: Psychology, Religion

Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kerbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important for readers in the niche

[Frater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book of letters between Carl Jung and Father Victor White. Not only do we get a glimpse into the mind of both men with regards to psychology but also with theology. It seems that White was almost willing to challenge his personal view about God and Catholicism but just when he was staring into the darkness of uncertainty, he fell back to where he started. Nonetheless this is an excellent portrait of two men who through friendship and respect where able to attempt a understanding of theology and psychology. It also gives an excellent background to White's book "God and the Unconscious" and Jung's "Answer to Job".