Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society: A Depth Psychology Perspective on Magical Thinking, Conspiracy Theories, and Folk Devils Among Us

217 Pages·2023·10.586 MB·English

by  Jim Kline

Nonrational Logic in
Contemporary Society
Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society explores modern examples of
beliefs that defy logic but nevertheless are enthusiastically embraced by
legions of contemporary people living in technologically advanced societies.
The appeal of nonrational logic is based upon C.G. Jung’s ideas regarding
archetypes, considered to be unconscious thought and behavioral patterns
universal to all of humanity and expressed in dreams, art, religion, and
reports of supernatural and paranormal experiences such as the belief in
UFOs, conspiracy theories associated with child sacrifice and devil worship,
lizard people who secretly rule the world, and internet demons whom many
insist are real.
C.G. Jung insisted that archetypal reality must be acknowledged for what
it is: expressions of universal truths about the human condition. He also
warned about the dangers inherent in denying these truths as well as taking
these archetypal expressions as literal facts about the workings of physical
reality. Nonrational Logic includes a multitude of examples from world
folklore and reports of traditional customs from around the world collected
in the multivolume anthropological classic, The Golden Bough, by James
Frazer, comparing these traditional reports with contemporary ones to
underscore the human psyche’s obsessive desire to embrace the fantastic, the
extraordinary, and the unbelievable.
Nonrational Logic in Contemporary Society is important reading for
analytical psychologists, Jungian psychotherapists, and other professionals as
well as the general public seeking to understand how prevalent nonrational
thinking is in modern societies and how it reflects traditional expressions.
Jim Kline received his PhD in Psychology with Jungian Studies Specialization,
Saybrook University, San Francisco, CA. He is a professor of psychology at
the Northern Marianas College, Northern Mariana Islands. His previous
publications have appeared in such Jungian-themed Journals as Psychological
Perspectives, Jung Journal, Spring Journal, and The International Journal of
Jungian Studies. He is also the author of The Otherworld in Myth, Folklore,
Cinema, and Brain Science.

Nonrational Logic in
Contemporary Society
A Depth Psychology Perspective on
Magical Thinking, Conspiracy Theories,
and Folk Devils Among Us
Jim Kline
Designed cover image: Karl Freund
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
©2023 Jim Kline
The right of Jim Kline to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-032-22187-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-22190-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-27148-2 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003271482
Typeset in Times New Roman
by MPS Limited, Dehradun
For James Hollis
Mentor, friend, and guide through the depths

Contents
Introduction: What Is Nonrational Logic? 1
1 Folk Devils Among Us 13
2 Magical Thinking = Primary Process Thinking =
Delusional Thinking = Hysterical Thinking 29
3 Don’t Touch, Think, or Do That—Contagion,
Contamination, and Taboo 60
4 Totemism—The Golden Bough, Toilet, Dildo,
and Gun 90
5 Soulful and Soulless 114
6 The Dying and Resurrecting God/King/Hero/
Billionaire 148
7 Techpocalypse—Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying
and Love My Smartphone 168
Index 202

Introduction: What Is Nonrational
Logic?
In the 1927 German silent film classic, Metropolis (Lang), a super-modern,
technologically advanced city hides a dark secret.
Figure I.1 Movie poster for Metropolis (Lang 1927).
Source: Creative Commons.
DOI: 10.4324/9781003271482-1