The Extraverted Essence of Empathy ~ Carl Jung

Empathy:

An introjection of the object, based on the unconscious projection of subjective contents. (Compare identification.)

Empathy presupposes a subjective attitude of confidence, or trustfulness towards the object. It is a readiness to meet the object halfway, a subjective assimilation that brings about a good understanding between subject and object, or at least simulates it. [“The Type Problem in Aesthetics,” CW 6, par. 489.]

In contrast to abstraction, associated with introversion, empathy corresponds to the attitude of extraversion.

The man with the empathetic attitude finds himself . . . in a world that needs his subjective feeling to give it life and soul. He animates it with himself. [ Ibid., par. 492.]

To Olga Frobe-Kapteyn

Dear Frau Frobe, 16 August 1947

The dissolution of the transference often consists in ceasing to describe the nature of one’s relationship as “transference.”

This designation degrades the relationship to a mere projection, which it is not.

“Transference” consists in the illusion of its uniqueness, when seen from the collective and conventional standpoint.

“Uniqueness” lies simply and solely in the relationship between individuated persons, who have no other relationships at all except individual, i.e., unique ones.

Of course it is all right with me if the lectures begin at 9:30.

Kindest regards,

Ever sincerely,

C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1, Page 475

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