Bridges to Consciousness

This book investigates the psyche as an emergent state arising from the global functioning of the brain and the body. In this research Krieger applies these concepts to Analytical Psychology, particularly to the constellation of the complex and of the archetype. Global brain functioning is considered as a complex system whose macroscopic, emergent patterns (i.e., thoughts and behaviour) are determined by physical parameters (i.e., emotion, memory, perception).

The concept of the feeling-toned complex was among the first of the theories to be developed by Jung. The theories of complexity and dynamical systems subsequently developed in the physical sciences did not exist at the time. This book takes a new look at the feeling-toned complex as a basin of attraction which competes for consciousness against other complexes to determine behaviour. This is a view Jung might have taken if the theories had been available to him.

The importance of the link between emotion and the complex in both the establishment of consciousness and the determination of self-esteem is also investigated, making the work relevant to therapeutic practice, albeit without specifically developing these ideas.