Podcast Summary
Discussing the impact of identity politics on universalism in psychology: The rejection of universalism in contemporary politics and its impact on psychotherapy can create obstacles in understanding and connecting with people across different identities.
Learning from this conversation between Jungian analysts Lisa Marciano, Deborah Stewart, Joseph Lee, and special guest Yascha Mounk is the importance of universalism in psychology, particularly in the context of the identity synthesis and its impact on contemporary politics and psychotherapy. Mounk, an expert on the crisis of liberal democracy and the rise of populism, introduced the concept of identity synthesis as a new form of progressivism that rejects the universalist principles of classical liberalism. This rejection of universalism is having an impact on the practice of psychotherapy, leading to potential obstacles in understanding and connecting with people across different identities. As Mounk, a former leftist, noted, universalism was a core tenet of the left's promise of understanding and solidarity beyond race, religion, nationality, and other identity categories. However, the growing influence of identity politics has challenged this universalist approach, leading to complex and nuanced discussions on the role of identity in shaping our understanding of ourselves and others.
Recognizing social identities can lead to understanding, but fixation can hinder connection: Acknowledge commonalities through archetypes, respect differences, and avoid fixation to foster connection and understanding in diverse societies.
While recognizing and understanding social identities and their associated typicalities and emotional valences is a natural and important aspect of human existence, becoming overly fixated on them can lead to a denial of our ability to understand and connect with each other. This is where the idea of cultural appropriation can be misguided, as it can hinder the development of political solidarity and mutual understanding among individuals from different backgrounds. Jung's theory of archetypes and typicalities provides a framework for recognizing these commonalities, while also acknowledging the individual experiences and emotional valences that shape our perceptions of them. In a diverse society, recognizing and respecting the differences among us is essential, but it should not come at the expense of our ability to connect and find common ground.
Recognizing and validating unique perspectives: Making an effort to understand others' experiences, even if we haven't lived them, is crucial for empathy and creating a safer world. Openness and active listening are key in psychotherapy to bridge the gap between different experiences.
While we may not be able to fully understand someone else's experiences based on our own, it's important to make an effort to recognize and validate their unique perspectives. In philosophy, this distinction is made between experiential and propositional knowledge. Although we may not have experienced sexual harassment or police violence, for example, we can still understand the injustice and commit to creating a safer world for those who have. Furthermore, relying solely on our identities to seek validation from society can limit our individual recognition and understanding. In the field of psychotherapy, it's essential to be open and try to understand others' experiences, even if we don't share them directly. We may not fully grasp their experiences from the inside, but we can listen carefully and empathize to get close. Ultimately, we are all unique individuals, and our experiences and identities cannot be fully encapsulated by our group memberships or major life experiences.
Avoid oversimplifying individuals based on identity: Recognize the complexity of human identity and communication, and avoid assuming essential similarities based on superficial characteristics.
While shared experiences and identity can contribute to effective therapeutic relationships, it is essential not to reduce individuals to their identity categories or assume essential similarities based on superficial characteristics. The complexity of human identity and communication necessitates recognizing the unique interplay of various characteristics and contexts. The misunderstanding of "understanding" as a monolithic concept can lead to oversimplification and a reactionary belief that skin color, religion, or experiences define individuals to such an extent that mutual understanding and empathy are impossible without shared identity. Instead, we should acknowledge the multi-faceted nature of understanding and respect the individuality and complexity of each person.
Assumptions based on identity can be harmful: Avoid making assumptions about others based on their identity. Listen actively and engage in open dialogue instead.
While women may have unique experiences and insights into certain forms of social oppression, such as caregiving responsibilities, it is important not to assume that all members of a particular group share identical experiences or that they have greater insight into oppression than others. Additionally, it is possible to understand and recognize politically salient issues from the experiences of others, even if one has not experienced them directly. Delegating political judgment to others can be damaging and may lead to oversimplification, patronization, or assumptions based on identity categories. The goal should be to listen carefully and engage in open dialogue, rather than making assumptions or imposing simplistic categories on individuals. It is important to remember that everyone's experiences and perspectives are complex and unique, and that effective communication and understanding require active listening and engagement.
The belief in unique victimhood can limit personal growth: Believing in constant validation and protection based on perceived victimhood can hinder self-reflection, foster paranoia, and prevent individuals from fully engaging in life
The belief in one's unique victimhood and the subsequent need for constant validation and protection can be a dangerous and limiting ideology. This ideology, as seen in the example of the NYU student card, can encourage individuals to see themselves as perpetually vulnerable and encourage paranoia. It can also send a damaging message to those from marginalized groups, implying that those who treat them well may secretly harbor hostility. Moreover, this belief can hinder introspection and self-reflection, leading individuals to believe that external factors define them and that their problems can be solved solely by changing the environment. Ultimately, this mindset can hinder personal growth and prevent individuals from fully engaging in the human experience.
The importance of universal human connections beyond identity: Assuming individuals are defined solely by their identity is reductionistic and harmful. Universal human connections through symbols and stories offer meaning and support during hardships.
While identity can help us understand ourselves, it is not the only aspect of human experience. The symbolic, which is universal and healing, connects us to the human experience as a whole. Ignoring this fundamental human connection can be damaging on an individual level and politically counterproductive. It's important to remember that while certain demographic groups have historically faced disadvantages, assuming individuals have it all figured out based on their identity is reductionistic and harmful. The universal human experience, represented by symbols and stories, offers meaning and support during times of suffering.
The Power of Accusation and Lack of Empathy: The lack of empathy towards others due to perceived privileges can lead to harmful cycles of disconnection and injustice. Recognizing the power of accusation and fostering empathy can lead to healthier relationships and a more equitable world.
The lack of empathy towards others, fueled by the perception of their perceived privileges, can lead to a vicious cycle of disconnection and injustice. This lack of empathy not only harms the person we fail to empathize with but also hurts ourselves, preventing us from forming genuine, equal relationships. Distinctions, when made into accusations, can activate a powerful response, leading to fear, destruction, and punishment. The spirit of accusation, as old as civilization itself, is being harnessed in the political and social realms to manipulate masses of people. By recognizing the power of accusation and striving for empathy and understanding, we can foster healthier attitudes towards ourselves and others, and create a more just and equitable world.
The Identity Trap: Projection and In-Group Bias: Recognize and challenge tendencies for projection and in-group bias to foster empathy, understanding, and a more expansive sense of self and community. Our shared emotions and experiences create common ground, even if circumstances differ.
The tendency to project our unwanted qualities onto others and form in-groups based on shared experiences can lead to harmful consequences, including scapegoating and in-group bias. Projection cuts off relationships and prevents us from understanding and accepting our unique individuality. This phenomenon, known as the identity trap, can be particularly dangerous when it denies the interconnectedness of all people and justifies the mistreatment of those outside the group. It's important to recognize and challenge these tendencies to foster empathy, understanding, and a more expansive sense of self and community. Additionally, we all have a predisposition for literalism, but it's essential to remember that our shared emotions and experiences create common ground, even if the specific circumstances differ. By recognizing this and focusing on our shared humanity, we can transcend groupishness and foster deeper connections with others.
Denying importance of emotions can make individuals vulnerable: Recognizing emotional components of experiences and their universality fosters growth and progress
Reducing experiences to only physical events and denying the importance of emotions can make individuals more vulnerable to being categorized and manipulated. This perspective, which rejects the universal human experience, contradicts various moral and religious traditions and hinders progress towards universal human rights. The Jungian tradition, with its emphasis on the collective unconscious and the universal human substrate, offers an important perspective on recognizing and valuing the shared human experience. It's essential to acknowledge and understand the emotional components of experiences and recognize their universal aspects to foster growth and progress.
Understanding the symbolism of dreams: Dreams can reveal deep fears and require action, symbolizing woman's struggle with aging, retirement, and love; crows represent danger and safety, reflecting conflicting emotions; effort needed to overcome challenges, like gannet in dream; Dream School's gift subscription supports personal growth and self-discovery.
Dreams can provide insight into our deepest fears and concerns, and sometimes require us to take action to address them. The dream of a woman about netted crows symbolizes her feelings of being trapped and struggling with the fears of aging, retirement, and love. The image of the crows, which can represent both danger and safety, reflects her conflicting emotions and associations. When we encounter challenges or obstacles in our lives, just like the gannet in the dream, we may feel panicked and need to put in effort to free ourselves. Additionally, the introduction of Dream School's gift subscription allows us to give the gift of dreams and support others in their personal growth and self-discovery.
Exploring dreams from various perspectives: Dreams offer complex insights when analyzed from multiple angles, including instincts, modern inventions, archetypes, and emotions.
Dreams, like the one about crows discussed, can provide rich and multifaceted insights when explored from various perspectives. The presence of multiple crows in the dream could symbolize different instincts within the dreamer's psyche, with one instinct potentially being ensnared by a modern human invention. By embodying the experience of the crow in the net, the dreamer may uncover emotions like panic, surrender, or despair, which could offer valuable insights. Additionally, from an archetypal perspective, crows represent various associations, such as darkness, shadow, intelligence, social connections, and trickster qualities. Understanding these associations can deepen the interpretation of the dream. Overall, exploring dreams through different lenses can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the unconscious mind.
Dreams of crows in webbing symbolize growth and learning: Identify and address areas of life requiring growth and persist through challenges to achieve personal success.
Dreams, including the image of crows caught in webbing, can symbolize processes of growth and learning. The number three in the dream may represent the stages of this process, where we try, fail, and eventually succeed. The crows' patient efforts to free their trapped companion suggest the importance of focus and persistence in untangling the complexities of life. Additionally, the potential interruption of knowledge and memory access in the dream could indicate a resistance to acknowledging or facing certain truths. Overall, the dream may be encouraging the dreamer to identify and address the areas of their life that require attention and effort, ultimately leading to personal growth and wholeness.
The Mind's Nets: Avoiding Painful Truths: Being aware of mental barriers that hinder growth and understanding, and striving to keep an open mind to new perspectives and information.
Our minds, much like the free-flying Mercurial bird, can get ensnared in nets of information that limit our access to objective truth. These nets can take the form of echo chambers, political rhetoric, or even personal beliefs. We may avoid painful truths, like the crows of war, by throwing metaphorical nets around them. However, this instinct to shield ourselves from reality can hinder our growth and understanding. It's essential to be aware of these nets and strive to keep our minds open to new perspectives and information. Additionally, the symbolism of crows in mythology can remind us of the importance of facing difficult truths and acknowledging the cycles of life, including love and loss.
