Abstract
In his autobiographical narrative Jung wrote that he perceived the processes going on behind the background. In this paper I try to show that this perception played an essential role in his psychological work. As Merleau-Ponty demonstrates, perception is based on the opinion originaire (Urdoxa) and Jung’s statement suggests that the unconscious processes were experienced by him as reality to some extent. His work is not, as it has been considered hitherto, an attempt to construct an intellectual model of the unconscious psyche from clinical materials and esoteric literature, but an endeavor to assimilate this reality that he perceived into the consciousness with all means available. This explains the seemingly queer qualities of his work that have perplexed students who have attempted a critical assesment of his work. At the same time here lies the reason why his psychology offers a possible way to break the impasse of the modern Weltanschauung.
