Overview
This lecture explores Marie-Louise von Franz's analysis of fairy tales, focusing on the "rule of contradiction," the universal lesson about the helpful animal, and the psychological importance of obeying one's conscience as argued by von Franz, Jung, Dostoevsky, and others.
Von Franz and the Rule of Contradiction
- Marie-Louise von Franz collaborated with Carl Jung and specialized in the interpretation of fairy tales.
- She observed that for every lesson in a fairy tale, an opposite lesson can be found in another, called the "rule of contradiction."
- The rule shows that life's dilemmas are complex, requiring individual choice and responsibility.
The Universal Exception in Fairy Tales
- Von Franz identified one universal rule in fairy tales: never harm the helpful animal.
- The helpful animal symbolizes a person's intuitive inner voice or conscience.
- Obedience to one’s inner voice is essential across all cultures' fairy tales.
Conscience and Moral Decision-Making
- Carl Jung described conscience as an inner knowledge guiding us on good and evil, often manifesting as gut feelings.
- Following conscience is easy when it aligns with societal norms but difficult when in conflict with group expectations.
- Ignoring conscience leads to feelings of guilt, shame, and living inauthentically.
The True vs. False Conscience
- Jung noted that conscience can be "true" (guiding us rightly) or "false" (misleading us), with the false conscience acting compulsively.
- Hastiness in moral decisions is often a sign of the false conscience.
- Jung advocated for patience and deep reflection when faced with ethical conflicts, allowing true conscience to emerge.
Individuality and the Cost of Conscience
- The contradiction in collective moral guidance fosters individuality as people must choose their own path.
- Laurens van der Post argued that loyalty to one's individual conscience brings deeper peace than conforming at the expense of one's inner contract with life, even if it leads to social friction.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rule of Contradiction — The idea that fairy tales offer equally valid but opposite moral lessons.
- Helpful Animal — Symbol in fairy tales representing one’s intuitive conscience.
- Conscience — An inner sense guiding moral choices, often felt as strong emotions or instincts.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on instances where your conscience has conflicted with societal expectations.
- Prepare for next class by reading selections from Jung’s "A Psychological View of Conscience."