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Expressions of homosexuality and the perspective of analytical psychology
Author(s) -
Miller Barry
Publication year - 2010
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.1468-5922.2009.01827.x
Subject(s) - homosexuality , psyche , psychology , perspective (graphical) , sexual orientation , causation , subject (documents) , psychoanalysis , ideology , variety (cybernetics) , epistemology , meaning (existential) , social psychology , politics , philosophy , psychotherapist , art , artificial intelligence , library science , computer science , political science , law , visual arts
: Homosexuality, as a description and category of human experience, has a long, complicated and problematic history. It has been utilized as a carrier of theological, political, and psychological ideologies of all sorts, with varying and contradictory influences into the lives of us all. Analytical psychology, emphasizing the purposiveness found in manifestations of the psyche, offers a unique approach to this subject. The focus moves from causation to the meanings embedded in erotic expressions, fantasies, and dreams. Consequently, homosexuality loses its predetermined meaning and finds its definition in the psychology of the individual. Categories of ‘sexual orientation’ may defend against personal analysis, deflecting the essential fluidity and mystery of Eros. This is illustrated with samples of the variety found in ‘homosexual’ material.