Premium
The self in cyberspace
Author(s) -
Roesler Christian
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of analytical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.285
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1468-5922
pISSN - 0021-8774
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-5922.2008.00735.x
Subject(s) - parallels , postmodernism , epistemology , constructivism (international relations) , cyberspace , sociology , focus (optics) , social constructivism , identity (music) , psychoanalysis , psychology , philosophy , aesthetics , the internet , computer science , mechanical engineering , physics , optics , politics , world wide web , political science , law , engineering , international relations
Abstract : Jung's concept of the Self is compared with current theories of identity formation in post‐modern society concerning the question: is the self constituted through experience and cultural influences—as it is argued by current theories in the social sciences—or is it already preformed inside the person, as Jung argues? The impact of communication media on the formation of identity in today's societies is discussed with a focus on internet communication and virtual realities. The resulting types of identities are conceptualized as polycentric which has surprising parallels to Jung's idea of the Self. The epistemology of constructivism and parallels in Jung's thought are demonstrated. Jung's work in this respect often appears contradictory in itself but this can be dealt with by a postmodern approach which accepts a plurality of truths.