Polytheistic psychology or polytheistic consciousness is a metaphor for describing the functioning and arrangement of the human mind. In a polytheistic model, the mind is not a single monolithic entity, but a collection of smaller centers or fragments interacting with one another in a complex web of relationships.
Your Multiple Personalities
Is Schizophrenia The Natural Condition of Humanity?
Here's a really fascinating quote from James Hillman:
"Multiple personality is humanity in its natural condition. In other cultures these multiple personalities have names, locations, energies, functions, voices, angel and animal forms, and even theoretical formulations as different kinds of soul".
(Source)
"Multiple personality is humanity in its natural condition. In other cultures these multiple personalities have names, locations, energies, functions, voices, angel and animal forms, and even theoretical formulations as different kinds of soul".
(Source)
Polytheistic Psychology Links
- Monotheistic & Polytheistic Mind Theories
- An in-depth look at theories of the monotheistic and polytheistic mind, along with the evolution of consciousness.
- Remains of the Deities
- An essay by Erik Davis on the return of paganism and what that mindset means for us culturally and socially.
- There cannot be only one...
- An interesting forum discussion about polytheistic psychology, with lots of quotes from James Hillman.
Introducing James Hillman...
The "Father" of Polytheistic Psychology
Though I'm unable to determine whether he actually coined the term, psychologist James Hillman seems to have been one of the prime popularizes of a polytheistic or multivalent approach to psychology.
Though he was trained as a Jungian, Hillman broke with Jung over the notion of the integration of the Self. Jung basically believed that the goal of the individual was to unite all the fragments of the mind under the greater Self. Hillman seems to be more about accepting and allowing a more fractured mind.
Though he was trained as a Jungian, Hillman broke with Jung over the notion of the integration of the Self. Jung basically believed that the goal of the individual was to unite all the fragments of the mind under the greater Self. Hillman seems to be more about accepting and allowing a more fractured mind.
Jungian Models of the Mind
So you have something to compare this to...
- Jung on Wikipedia
- Good basic info on Jung and his theories
- Jungian Models of the Psyche
- A look at some of Jung's teachings on the nature and shape of the human mind - complete with diagrams!
- The Nature of the Archetypes
- Archetypes are very important in Jungian psychology, and help form the basis of the polytheistic branch-off Hillman espouses.
- Freud, Adler & Jung Theories of the Self & Ego
- Comparative essay between three of the pillars of psychology: Freud, Jung and Adler
Find Out About Polytheism
Try reading through some religious and mythological sources while envisioning that the mind rather than divinity is being discussed (or both!)
- Polytheism vs. Monotheism
- A theological comparison between one god and many gods (written in favor of polytheism)
- Polytheism on Wikipedia
- Always a good place to start - some good basic info.
- Polytheism.net
- All kinds of info on polytheism throughout history.
Links on Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
More commonly known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD)
- Multiple Personality Disorder
- ReligiousTolerance.org looks at MPD and DID and the controversy surrounding these disorders.
- DID on Wikipedia
- Wikipedia has a decent overview of the DID/MPD situation as well.
- Does MPD really exist?
- The Skeptic's Dictionary tries to get to the bottom of whether multiple personalities are actually even a real thing.
Books on Polytheistic Psychology
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