We will use this first seminar to explore what we mean and understand by ethics. I will start with a very brief, schematic overview of some historical ethical thinkers. How do “rules and codes” differ from individual ethics and morality? What do we make of the Jung quote below?

The readings are intended as springboards to discussion, although I would like you all to read Solomon’s paper. How did we develop our own ethical attitude? What influences were at play? What about the impact of our socio-political environment and collective views? I will pose some questions for you to consider and there will be time for personal reflection.

C.G.Jung:

“The formulation of ethical rules is not only difficult but actually impossible because one can hardly think of a single rule that would not have to be reversed under certain conditions. …The solution, in my experience, is always individual and is only subjectively valid. Despite their subjective nature, they cannot very well be formulated except as collective concepts.

But since these reflections constantly recur in practice – for the integration of unconscious contents continually poses such questions – it necessarily follows that, in spite of individual variation, they will exhibit certain regular features which make it seem possible to abstract a limited number of rules. I do not, myself, think that any of these rules are absolutely valid, for on occasion the opposite may be equally true.”

(Jung 1949, CW l8, para. 1413)

FURTHER READING

Wiener J. (2003) “Finding a Space for Ethical Thinking”. In The Ethical Attitude in Analytic Practice eds Hester Solomon and Mary Twyman. Free Association Books

Neumann E. “The New Ethic” In Depth Psychology and a New Ethic pp 76-100

OPTIONAL

On you tube you will find School of Life, plus others, 5- 10 mins video intros to the following:

Aristotle and virtue ethics  https://youtu.be/VFPBf1AZOQg

Baruch Spinoza https://youtu.be/pVEeXjPiw54

David Hume https://youtu.be/HS52H_CqZLE

Kant and the Moral Imperative    https://youtu.be/nsgAsw4XGvU

Feminist Ethics     (439) Alternative Paradigms: Care Ethics and Feminine Ethics – YouTube