Carl Gustav Jung

Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and founder of analytical psychology. Born in Kesswil, Jung studied medicine and psychiatry, and spent his early career working with Eugen Bleuler at the Zurich Psychiatric Hospital. He was initially a close associate of Sigmund Freud, but their paths diverged due to differing views on the nature of the unconscious.

Jung introduced a number of key concepts to psychology, including the collective unconscious, archetypes (e.g. hero, mother, shadow), persona, anima, and animus. He believed that each person strives for individuation—a process of psychological integration and wholeness. He also developed a personality typology, which later became the basis for popular tests such as the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).

His works, such as Symbols of Transformation, Psychological Types, and Memories, Dreams, Reflections, explore mythology, religion, dreams, art, and spirituality as ways to understand the human psyche. Jung was fascinated by alchemy, Eastern philosophy, and symbolism.

His integrative vision of the human psyche has left a profound mark not only on psychology, but also on literature, art, spirituality, and popular culture. He died in 1961 in Küsnacht, Switzerland.