Carl Jung AO2

Q: AO2 Criticism – Is Jung’s theory empirical?

A: No. Archetypes and the collective unconscious are unfalsifiable and lack empirical evidence, relying heavily on interpretation.

Q: AO2 Criticism – Could shared symbols have another explanation?

A: Yes. Critics like Geza Roheim argue similar myths arise from shared human experiences rather than inherited archetypes.

Q: AO2 Criticism – Is Jung reductionist?

A: Yes. He reduces religion to psychology, implying God is a mental construct rather than an external reality.

Q: AO2 Criticism – How might religious believers respond?

A: They may argue Jung strips religion of truth-value, turning God into a symbol rather than a real being.

Q: AO2 Criticism – Does Jung overstate religion’s necessity?

A: Yes. Many non-religious individuals are psychologically healthy, challenging Jung’s claim that religion is required for individuation.

Q: AO2 Criticism – Is Jung’s theory unfalsifiable?

A: Yes. Jung dismisses counter-examples (e.g. atheists) by redefining atheism as a form of religion, making the theory resistant to critique.

Q: AO2 Strength – Why is Jung more persuasive than Freud?

A: He acknowledges religion’s positive psychological effects and avoids dismissing belief as pathological.

Q: AO2 Strength – How does Jung explain religion’s persistence?

A: Religion persists because it fulfils deep psychological needs rooted in the collective unconscious.

Q: AO2 Strength – How does Jung align with William James?

A: Like James, Jung adopts a pragmatic view: religion is valuable because of its positive effects, not because it is provably true.

Q: AO2 Strength – How might Jung support religious belief indirectly?

A: Archetypes could be interpreted as evidence of humans being created with an innate capacity for God (Design-style response).

Q: AO2 Comparison – Why is Jung considered less hostile than Freud?

A: Jung sees religion as therapeutic and necessary, whereas Freud views it as immature and harmful.

Q: AO2 Conclusion – Has Jung explained religion away?

A: Partially. Jung explains the origin and function of religious belief but does not conclusively disprove God’s existence.

Q: How would you summarise Jung’s overall impact on religious belief?

A: Jung reframes religion as a psychologically necessary expression of the collective unconscious, offering a powerful explanation of belief’s function while leaving its truth-value unresolved.