#Philosophy of the Unconscious

[artofthemindblog]

Hartmann, Eduard von (1842–1906) from The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy

German philosopher who sought to synthesize the thought of Schelling, Hegel, and Schopenhauer. The most important of his fifteen books was Philosophie des Unbewussten (Philosophy of the Unconscious, 1869). For Hartmann both will and idea are interrelated and are expressions of an absolute “thing-in-itself,” the unconscious. The unconscious is the active essence in natural and psychic processes and is the teleological dynamic in organic life. Paradoxically, he claimed that the teleology immanent in the world order and the life process leads to insight into the irrationality of the “will-to-live.” The maturation of rational consciousness would, he held, lead to the negation of the total volitional process and the entire world process would cease. Ideas indicate the “what” of existence and constitute, along with will and the unconscious, the three modes of being. Despite its pessimism, this work enjoyed considerable popularity.

Hartmann was an unusual combination of speculative idealist and philosopher of science (defending vitalism and attacking mechanistic materialism); his pessimistic ethics was part of a cosmic drama of redemption. Some of his later works dealt with a critical form of Darwinism that led him to adopt a positive evolutionary stance that undermined his earlier pessimism. His general philosophical position was selfdescribed as “transcendental realism.” His Philosophy of the Unconscious was translated into English by W. C. Coupland in three volumes in 1884. There is little doubt that his metaphysics of the unconscious prepared the way for Freud’s later theory of the unconscious mind.

See Also:

The Physiological Unconscious

[lazyyogi]

So whenever your relationship is not working, whenever it brings out the “madness” in you and in your partner, be glad. What was unconscious is being brought up to the light. It is an opportunity for salvation. Every moment, hold the knowing of that moment, particularly of your inner state. If there is anger, know that there is anger. If there is jealousy, defensiveness, the urge to argue, the need to be right, an inner child demanding love and attention, or emotional pain of any kind — whatever it is, know the reality of that moment and hold the knowing. The relationship then becomes your sadhana, your spiritual practice. If you observe unconscious behavior in your partner, hold it in the loving embrace of your knowing so that you won’t react. Unconsciousness and knowing cannot coexist for long — even if the knowing is only in the other person and not in the one who is acting out the unconsciousness. The energy form that lies behind hostility and attack finds the presence of love absolutely intolerable. If you react at all to your partner’s unconsciousness, you become unconscious yourself. But if you then remember to know your reaction, nothing is lost.

Eckhart Tolle

[thepursuitofunderstanding]

Nowadays people identify themselves almost exclusively with their consciousness, and imagine that they are only what they know about themselves.

Carl Jung

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Personality

The philosophy of personality explores the nature, origin, and development of individual identity and selfhood. It involves questions about the essence of what makes someone who they are, how personality is formed, the relationship between personality and free will, and how external and internal factors shape personal characteristics.

Here’s an overview of key concepts and perspectives:

1. Nature of Personality

Personality refers to the unique patterns of thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences that define an individual. Philosophers examine whether personality is something inherent (fixed by nature) or whether it evolves over time (shaped by nurture and experience).

Essentialism vs. Existentialism:

Essentialism posits that personality is rooted in an essential nature that is relatively stable over time. This is often linked to the idea of a fixed "soul" or "self" that defines identity.

Existentialism, on the other hand, argues that personality is fluid, shaped by personal choices and life experiences. For existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre, human beings are not born with a pre-defined personality but create themselves through actions and decisions. Sartre famously claimed, "Existence precedes essence," meaning that who we are is the result of our lived experiences, not an inherent nature.

2. Personality and Identity

Self-Identity: Philosophers such as John Locke have explored the link between personality and personal identity, especially how continuity of consciousness relates to being the same person over time. Locke's memory theory of identity suggests that we are the same person to the extent that we remember our past actions and experiences.

Psychological Continuity: Theories of psychological continuity focus on how personality and mental states over time create a coherent sense of self. If a person experiences radical changes in personality or memory loss, philosophers question whether they remain the same person.

3. Determinism vs. Free Will in Personality

Determinism: Determinists argue that personality is shaped by a combination of genetics, environment, and social conditioning. According to this view, free will plays little to no role in shaping personality because external factors like upbringing, culture, and biology predetermine how we think, feel, and act.

Free Will: Opposing this, many existentialists and humanistic philosophers believe that individuals have the power to transcend their circumstances and freely shape their personalities. Sartre argued that people are "condemned to be free," meaning that they must take responsibility for their actions and the personality traits they develop.

4. Personality and Moral Responsibility

Character and Virtue Ethics: Philosophers like Aristotle emphasized the role of character in shaping ethical behavior. According to Aristotle, personality traits like courage, temperance, and wisdom can be cultivated through practice and habit, leading to a virtuous life. In this view, personality is not just a collection of traits but something tied to one's moral development.

Moral Luck: A challenge in the philosophy of personality is the idea of moral luck—the notion that aspects of one’s personality may be shaped by circumstances outside of their control, yet they are still held morally accountable for their actions. For example, someone born with a naturally aggressive disposition may find it harder to behave ethically, raising questions about responsibility and fairness.

5. Personality and the Unconscious

The role of the unconscious mind in shaping personality has been a major topic of discussion, especially in the works of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Freud proposed that unconscious desires and conflicts shape much of our personality, and many of our behaviors are driven by unconscious motives rather than rational choices.

Jung expanded on Freud’s ideas by introducing the collective unconscious, which he argued contains archetypes that influence individual personalities. These archetypes are universal symbols and themes that shape human experience and personality development.

6. Personality and Social Context

Sociological and Cultural Influences: Many contemporary philosophers and social theorists emphasize that personality is not developed in isolation but in interaction with society and culture. Social constructivism suggests that much of our personality is shaped by societal norms, values, and roles. According to this view, personality traits are often expressions of the expectations and constraints placed on individuals by their social environment.

Gender and Personality: Feminist philosophers like Judith Butler argue that gender, as a central aspect of personality, is a social performance rather than an inherent trait. In this sense, personality is something individuals enact within the framework of societal norms.

7. Personality and the Self

Concept of the Self: Philosophers debate whether there is a "core" self behind personality traits or whether the self is an illusion, constructed through interactions with the world. Some argue for a unified self, where personality is an expression of a consistent internal essence. Others, such as David Hume, believed that the self is a bundle of perceptions with no fixed identity, constantly in flux.

Narrative Identity: Some philosophers, like Paul Ricoeur, suggest that individuals create their identities through the stories they tell about themselves. Personality, in this view, is tied to the personal narrative that individuals construct over time, making sense of their past experiences and future goals.

The philosophy of personality addresses fundamental questions about identity, free will, morality, and the interplay between nature and nurture. It explores how much of who we are is determined by genetics, culture, or unconscious factors, and to what extent we have the power to shape our own personalities.

[nihilosphere]

"Chaos is what we've lost touch with. This is why it is given a bad name. It is feared by the dominant archetype of our world, which is Ego, which clenches because its existence is defined in terms of control."

- Terence McKenna

[purplebass]

Reading The secret history and I have so many thoughts. This book has a trillion references to humanities and if you don't know them, you would think "what a bunch of nerds lmaooo" and maybe you'd even dnf. But if you know the references, then, a trillion more thoughts go into your head at once because you think about the metaphors and what lies behind the beautiful yet fragile facades of both the words and the characters themselves and it's all a jumble of seemingly complex thoughts that in truth, are existential concepts about being and life and humans's behavior that have been questioned ever since the dawn of the day and that will always be relevant

[abrahammutton]

I used to think suffering was something to be avoided. After some time, I felt suffering was the key to fitting in the lock of happiness. Now, I believe suffering is not the key but the very path to happiness. One must constantly walk on it to truly be happy.

[27paperlilies]

I had a dream two days ago.

In my dream there was a man crouched beside a tree stump. His presence was a calming one and his demeanour that of a teacher, he reached forward and from the centre of the tree stump lifted a sort of heart. This was not a flesh and blood heart, but a heart nonetheless. With this stange heart in his hands he turned to me and said

"The map to the heart of life, lies insides the inner layers of the very heart itself, but the journey must be taken without bringing the heart along"

My interpretation of this is that the key to life is to strip oneself of ego and individuality, to simply exsist as a life form no different than a plant or bug. To sit and experience life as just a part of life, not a conqueror of it. A reminder that we are a collective. Sometimes your human biais can cloud you to true meaning.

But then again perhaps I am clouded.

[theidealistphilosophy]

Chaos is what we've lost touch with. This is why it is given a bad name. It is feared by the dominant archetype of our world, which is Ego, which clenches because its existence is defined in terms of control.

Terence McKenna, Source Unlisted.

[alchemistofthenewage]

The man himself 🫠👏

Carl Jung

[artmindlens]

Phantasy and Art: The Unconscious Bridge to Creation By Diana Yakobsson

In psychoanalytic theory, phantasy is a foundational element of the unconscious mind, influencing not only our dreams and desires but also the ways in which we engage with art. Far beyond idle daydreaming, phantasy is the engine of the psyche, a dynamic and ever-present force that shapes our experiences and expressions. When we examine art through the lens of psychoanalysis, particularly with an understanding of phantasy, we begin to see it as not merely an external object, but a symbolic manifestation of both the artist’s and the viewer’s unconscious.

Freud’s early work on phantasy linked it to the pleasure principle, suggesting that phantasies are unconscious wish-fulfillments—manifestations of desires that reality does not immediately satisfy. For Freud, phantasy provided an outlet for these desires, which are transformed through sublimation into higher, socially acceptable expressions, such as art. This sublimation is key to understanding why art resonates so deeply on a psychological level. It presents, in symbolic form, the very conflicts and desires that we carry in our unconscious, offering both catharsis and understanding without the need for direct confrontation.

Yet phantasy is not bound by the same rules as conscious thought. It exists in a timeless space, where past, present, and future intermingle. It is in this timelessness that phantasy connects so closely with art. A Renaissance painting can evoke the same emotional response in a modern viewer as it did centuries ago, not because of the historical context, but because it taps into universal unconscious themes—fears, desires, and conflicts that are timeless. In this sense, art is a medium through which phantasy is externalized, offering a way for both the creator and the viewer to engage with their unconscious in a safe and socially acceptable manner.

Melanie Klein, building on Freud’s concept, expanded the role of phantasy in her work with children, arguing that phantasies are present from the very start of life, shaping how we experience the world around us. In Klein’s view, phantasy is not merely a defense mechanism, as Freud initially posited, but a primary mode of psychic functioning. Phantasy, for Klein, is directly linked to our instinctual drives, operating alongside the mechanisms of defense that we use to protect ourselves from unbearable realities.

In this light, art becomes a way of working through these complex phantasies. A painting or a sculpture can symbolize repressed desires for love, autonomy, or power, while also representing fears of loss, rejection, or aggression. Even abstract art, with its lack of clear narrative or recognizable forms, speaks directly to the unconscious mind. The shapes and colors evoke emotions that are hard to articulate but deeply felt, allowing us to bypass the rational mind and connect directly with our phantasies. It is this connection that makes art so powerful and, for many, so therapeutic.

Art collectors, whether consciously aware of it or not, are often drawn to pieces that resonate with their own unconscious phantasies. A painting that evokes a sense of nostalgia or longing may reflect the collector’s unresolved conflicts, repressed memories, or unacknowledged desires. In this way, purchasing art becomes more than just an aesthetic choice; it is a way of externalizing and controlling the forces of the unconscious. The artwork serves as both a container for these emotions and a means of symbolic resolution.

The role of phantasy in art is not just one of creation, but also of interpretation. As viewers, we project our own unconscious phantasies onto the artwork, seeing in it reflections of our own inner world. This is why two people can have entirely different reactions to the same piece of art—because each is bringing their own unconscious conflicts, desires, and experiences to the encounter. Art, in this sense, is not something we merely observe, but something we feel, as it engages with the deepest parts of our psyche.

Freud’s notion of unconscious phantasy as a form of wish-fulfillment, and Klein’s extension of this idea to include even the most primitive and early stages of development, highlights the inextricable link between phantasy and creativity. Where Freud saw phantasy as a later development, closely tied to defense mechanisms, Klein placed it at the very heart of human experience, influencing not only our dreams and symptoms but also our thoughts, perceptions, and artistic creations.

In conclusion, art is a dialogue with the unconscious. It is a way of giving form to the formless, of externalising the internal. Through phantasy, the artist taps into the deepest layers of the unconscious, transforming raw instinctual energy into something tangible, something that can be shared and understood. And as viewers, we engage with art in much the same way—projecting our own unconscious phantasies onto the canvas, finding in it a reflection of our innermost desires and conflicts. This is the power of art: it is not just an expression of beauty, but a mirror of the soul, offering us a glimpse into the hidden phantasies that shape our inner world.

[mycatishandsome]

Where has Auggie been????(on an insane philosophy/consciousness journey)

I know not many people care too much, but I actually had a HUGE shift.

Like I actually don’t even know where to start?

The last time I posted was April 9th—several months ago.

SO WHAT HAPPENED SINCE?

Right around this time, I broke up with my longterm boyfriend. We both agreed our hearts just weren’t in it anymore and that I was ahead of everything, and he felt as if he was holding me back. We agreed mutually to part ways. This was something I was kind of secretly shifting myself away from for sometime, I just had no clue how to make the final move. Thankfully it happened how I’d hoped.

I bought a “new” car. This is kind of a story within itself that doesn’t exactly end well nor does it really serve my greatest needs, so it was a very short lived dream.

Around the end of May, I got a new boyfriend. Now- before anyone says “damn that was quick” listen to what was going on in my head. With my last bf, I had for several months been unhappy and tried communicating that dissatisfaction (this again came to head in April). I had been dreaming about a significant other that had my best intentions in mind, could equally provide for me and himself (I don’t mean monetarily, but more so just an equal), hold my same values (and crazy lil things like shifting), and all around be my other half. I found this exactly, almost scarily exact. I’d love to make a whole post about him alone, but feel it’s unecessary. I’ll leave it at this- He is as intrenched in shifting one’s reality as I am. As obsessed about the consciousness as I am, and so deep down the rabbit hole of philosophy as I am. the Universe heard me loud and clear.

Since then, I’ve been on this insane journey of finding myself and understanding the universe better than I have been. I hope to share a lot of my findings and experiences with ya’ll here as I have been. I’m still in school so I can’t promise I’ll be as active as I have been, but I’ll try my hardest!!

As always, my QnA is always open for questions or comments!

[thepursuitofunderstanding]

We must always be asking ourselves: How is our unconscious experiencing this situation?

Carl Jung

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Consciousness, Subconsciousness, and Unconsciousness

The study of consciousness, subconsciousness, and unconsciousness is central to philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. Philosophers and scientists have long debated the nature of the mind, self-awareness, and the layers of mental activity that influence behavior, perception, and cognition. Here's an overview of the three concepts:

1. Consciousness

Definition: Consciousness refers to the state of being aware of and able to think about one’s environment, existence, thoughts, and sensations. It is the subjective experience of the mind, or what is often called "phenomenal experience"—what it feels like to be you at any given moment.

Philosophical Theories:

Dualism (René Descartes): Descartes famously proposed that the mind and body are two fundamentally different substances. According to Cartesian dualism, the mind is immaterial, and consciousness is a non-physical property of the mind. The body, on the other hand, operates like a machine.

Materialism/Physicalism: Materialists argue that consciousness arises from the brain's physical processes. According to this view, consciousness is a product of neuronal activity, and there is no separate, immaterial mind. Contemporary neuroscientific approaches align with this view, seeking to explain how brain activity correlates with conscious experience.

Phenomenology (Edmund Husserl, Maurice Merleau-Ponty): Phenomenologists focus on the first-person experience of consciousness. For them, consciousness is always consciousness "of" something (intentionality), and they explore how the mind structures experience.

Hard Problem of Consciousness (David Chalmers): Chalmers distinguishes between the "easy" problems of consciousness (understanding brain functions) and the hard problem, which is explaining why and how physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experiences, such as the sensation of color or pain.

Panpsychism: This is the view that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe, meaning that all matter has some degree of conscious experience, not just humans or animals.

2. Subconsciousness

Definition: The subconscious refers to mental processes that occur just below the level of conscious awareness. These processes influence thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions without being actively noticed by the individual.

Philosophical Perspectives:

Freudian Subconscious: Sigmund Freud introduced the concept of the subconscious (often used interchangeably with "preconscious" and "unconscious" in his early work). For Freud, the subconscious includes thoughts and desires that are not currently in conscious awareness but can become conscious when triggered (e.g., through memory or slips of the tongue).

Dual-Process Theories: Modern cognitive psychology divides thought into two systems: System 1 (fast, automatic, subconscious thinking) and System 2 (slow, deliberate, conscious thinking). Subconsciousness is often associated with System 1, where many decisions and impressions are made without conscious deliberation.

Carl Jung’s Collective Subconscious: Jung expanded on Freud's idea of the subconscious with the collective unconscious, a layer of the unconscious mind shared by all humans, filled with archetypes and universal symbols.

3. Unconsciousness

Definition: The unconscious refers to mental processes, desires, and memories that are entirely outside of conscious awareness and typically inaccessible to introspection. In psychological theory, the unconscious is thought to hold repressed feelings, unresolved conflicts, and primitive desires.

Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives:

Freudian Unconscious: Freud proposed that the unconscious mind is a repository for desires, fears, and memories that are too painful or socially unacceptable to acknowledge consciously. These repressed elements of the mind influence behavior in subtle and sometimes disruptive ways.

Id, Ego, and Superego: In Freud's structural model of the psyche, the id represents unconscious primal desires, the ego navigates reality, and the superego represents moral standards. The unconscious mind contains both the id and parts of the superego.

Jungian Unconscious: For Carl Jung, the unconscious mind is divided into two parts: the personal unconscious, which is unique to the individual, and the collective unconscious, a shared repository of human experience. The collective unconscious holds archetypes, symbols, and motifs that recur across cultures and history.

Philosophical Issues with the Unconscious: Some philosophers question whether it makes sense to speak of unconscious mental states. If a thought or desire is not accessible to conscious awareness, can it truly be said to be "mental"? This challenges traditional notions of mind and cognition.

Key Questions in the Philosophy of Consciousness, Subconsciousness, and Unconsciousness:

What Is the Nature of Conscious Experience? Philosophers debate whether consciousness can be fully explained through physical processes or whether something irreducible remains. The hard problem of consciousness remains one of the most pressing and unsolved issues in philosophy.

To What Extent Do Subconscious and Unconscious Processes Influence Behavior? How much of our decisions and perceptions are shaped by thoughts and feelings outside of our awareness? Psychological experiments have demonstrated that subconscious cues can powerfully affect behavior, challenging the belief in fully rational decision-making.

Is the Unconscious Real? Philosophical skepticism exists about whether unconscious thoughts and desires are truly "thoughts" if they cannot be directly experienced or known. Others argue that the unconscious is a necessary concept for understanding repressed feelings and psychological disorders.

Relationship Between the Three:

Consciousness represents active awareness, decision-making, and self-reflection.

Subconsciousness includes processes just below the level of awareness, such as habits, reflexes, or memories that can be brought into consciousness.

Unconsciousness involves deeper, hidden aspects of the mind, inaccessible to conscious introspection but influential in shaping desires, emotions, and behaviors.

The philosophy of consciousness explores self-awareness, subjectivity, and the mind-body problem. Subconsciousness refers to mental processes that influence behavior outside of immediate awareness. Unconsciousness deals with repressed desires and memories that operate beyond conscious thought. Each concept has rich philosophical implications for understanding the mind, free will, identity, and the nature of human experience.

[yourspiritguide-quotes]

I'm familiar with a little of Jung's material. However, I'd appreciate being directed to some reference material on shadow work.

Thanks. 😊

Sure! I highly recommend these shadow work resources below:

.

1. LonerWolf.com and their workbooks - this shadow workbook is a really useful start

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2. Caroline Myss' Archetype Cards - these work with the concept of Jungian archetypes and include the shadow side of each archetype. Great for self-analysis

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3. How to Befriend Your Shadow by John Monbourquette. This is a more academic book and contains very useful references to fiction and non-fiction about shadow work

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4. Warrior, Magician, Lover, King by Rod Boothroyd - this is an excellent book to guide your personal shadow work. It's aimed at men, but I'm a woman and related to it too (simply swap "King" for "Queen"). This is by far my favourite shadow work book

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5. Also, tarot can be used for shadow work if that's up your street. The free app Galaxy Tarot is great - look at the "reverse" section for each card to see its shadow meaning

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I hope this helps - let me know if you have any questions 🖤

[ssontag]

"If nothing sensuous is present no art is present."

Iris Murdoch, "Literature and Philosophy: a Conversation with Brian Magee", in Existentialists and Mystics (1999)