Evaluating Jung

For:

Jung's work has been praised even in religous circles. The Dominican priest Antonio Moreno said Jung's greatest contribution to theology was proving 'that the symbols, dogmas and images of Christianity are archetypal'.

Protestants too have credited his work as Gerald H Slusser has said that Jung's idea of the hero archetype can be applied to Jesus in his book 'From Jung to Jesus'.

Jung said that the evidence of common ideas and common ethics is found in all religions. Therefore, religious belief is seen as aiding individuation and leading to wholeness.

Jung believed that religion was a positive factor for psychological well-being. Even though he saw it was an error, he thought it was a positive error because it was able to help people with mental well being and strength. Therefore his idea is good because of the concept of individuation and the idea that religion can be necessary for psychological health.

Jung's research was based on clinical observation and personal experience. He discovered that the archetypes are present in all cultures and historical periods.

Archetypes are also relatable (for example the fact that they were present in books, films etc.

Against:

There is no empirical evidence for Jung's claims. Despite the fact that Jung said that his research of archetypes in cultures and dreams add weight, it can be said that a negative is that we do not know what his methods were. It cannot be proven empirically using our senses, that there is a collective unconscious. If we cannot prove this, then the entire claim falls apart.

Jung said that religion is just a product of the mind. But what does that mean for Christianity and claims that Jesus of Nazareth did exist?

Jung also reduced God to a psychic reality rather than a physical reality. This might not be enough for religious people.

Jung's work does not take into account religions that have no god such as Buddhism. This shows that the term 'religion' has evolved to mean a system of idea rather than simply just a belief in a deity/deities.

Jung's idea that good and evil were all parts of God were found to be controversial.

Jung's evidence comes from psychological observation which is not the same as empirical. How do we know that Jung's work is not correct?

Traditional religion does not agree with dualism.

Also secular people can still achieve happiness.