As the reader will see in later chapters, the causal viewpoint always only accounts for one side of the coin. And yet, it presents a primary consideration in the diagnosis and treatment of neurosis. Naturally, for each patient the causes of their condition differ. As a rule, they are an individually arranged constellation of factors. Primarily these factors derive from one’s heredity, upbringing, personal attitude and the societal context one is born into. Nevertheless, this exposition groups the myriad causes into three ‘families’: Family pathology, Impasse in development and the neurosis of the modern age.
Firstly, the bracket of ‘family pathology’ includes all hereditary and upbringing influences, that as we will see have such a marked impact on the child. Secondly, ‘Impasse in development’ goes further in the timeline of the individual. Here, the whole life arc is considered and various typical standstills in development are delineated. Mainly problems in upbringing and personal attitude fall into this category. And lastly, the neurosis of the modern age is addressed. Noone lives an atomized life, as modern culture tries to lead us to believe. Everyone is intricately connected not only with the family but also the broader society. Frequently, Jung spoke of ‘The spirit of the times’ which has its own name in German ‘Zeitgeist’. There is no escape, the individual’s life is fundamentally tainted by this influence. Not only is one tainted but even fated to grapple with this spirit, to separate wheat from chaff. With this purpose, the third chapter will address the chaff. Namely, the neurotising aspects of modern society that make the individual always somehow feel ‘incomplete’. More on that later, but now let’s dive straight into Chapter 1: ‘Family pathology’.
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