Product Description

A Jungian analyst explores the fundamental question of human existence and identity, discussing such topics as fate, character, motivation, intuition, vision, impulse, and calling.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #116155 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From the Back Cover
Plato and the Greeks called it 'daimon', the Romans 'genius', the Christians 'Guardian Angel' - and today we use terms such as 'heart', 'spirit' and 'soul'. For James Hillman it is the central and guiding force of his utterly unique and compelling 'acorn theory' which proposes that each life is formed by a particular image, an image that is the essence of that life and calls it to a destiny, just as the mighty oak's destiny is written in the tiny acorn.

Highly accessible and imaginative, The Soul's Code offers a liberating vision of childhood troubles and an exciting approach to themes such as fate and fatalism, character and desire, family influence and freedom, and, most of all, calling - that invisible mystery at the centre of every life that voices the fundamental question, 'What is it, in my heart, that I must do, be, and have? And why?'

About the Author
James Hillman is a psychologist, scholar, international lecturer, and the author of some twenty-odd books including Re-Visioning Psychology, Healing Fiction, The Dream and the Underworld, Inter Views and Suicide and the Soul. A Jungian analyst and originator of post-Jungian 'archetypal psychology,' he has held teaching positions at Yale University, Syracuse University, the University of Chicago and the University of Dallas (where he cofounded the Dallas Institute for the Humanities and Culture). After thirty years of residence in Europe, he now lives in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

An Apology of Platonism framed in a Jungian context
This book tries to form a coherent whole of the thoughts of Plato and Jung without really succeeding despite Hillman's many interesting ideas thoroughly exposed in his book. It is mainly centred around the philosophical struggle of Hillman in trying to conciliate the two thinkers in his own soul and mind. The engaging concept of the acorn can be traced back to the "Seven sermons to the death" written by Jung himself. Unfortunately, Hillman does not analyse these sermons that were published together with the German version of "Memories, Dreams, Reflections" by Jung. Moreover, one of the key tenets in the book is the so-called "parental fallacy" goes against many ychological studies that should have been at least mentioned in some footnotes.
- Briefly: Plato's and Jung's thoughts surely overlap to some extent but why shall we bother to force them together? To those interested in the Hillman's metaphor of the acorn I would recommend "The Gnostic Jung and the Seven Sermons to the Dead" by Stephan A. Hoeller instead.

ties together spiritual and psychological development
Hillman moves on from blame of the mother, to examining the inate core of one's being. He introduces the concept of "the acorn" theory of psychic development, how suffering develops soul and what it means to be a human being. This is a book that puts one to pondering.

Intriguing - but implies making disgusting generalisations
The part which ruins this otherwise superb book is the author's cruel and sickening - but repetitive - linkage between unpopularity and victimisation in childhood with later evil crimes. To implicitly associate the average class 'nerd' who suffers from poor social skills with Adolf Hitler and Mary Bell, is revolting - and surely extremely damaging to unpopular people reading it. Nevertheless, encountering the attitudes of Hillman will hardly 'soothe the savage breast'. The obvious concept - that in a VERY FEW cases generalised and totally understandable misanthropy generated by prolonged unfair bullying and ostracisation can result in later, particularised psychological eruptions of sadistic revenge (often at indiscriminate targets) is overlooked. ALL mass shootings etc are depraved, vile and utterly unforgiveable but according to media reports in many cases the culprits have been viciously antagonised over long periods by (usually) unprovoked and over-judgemental acquaintances and neighbours.

Is it right that Hillman implies I should be cold or mean to someone purely because of their body language, 'rigid personality structure', lack of humour, obsession with time and -unbelievably - their 'vulnerability'? A professional psychologist should never use terms like 'bad seed' about people either. Leave that to the horror-film directors.

However, Hillman's theories about personal progress and positive ideas about the role of suffering are fascinating and worthwhile. In the early pages this book is excellent and very thought-provoking. That's what stops this book getting a 1 mark. But then Hillman does care about 'Normal' People!