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== '''Literature review on ''COINCIDENCES'':''' == | == '''Literature review on ''COINCIDENCES'':''' == | ||
==== Introduction ==== | |||
In “Synchronicity”⁰, Carl Jung explores the concept of synchronicity, a “simultaneous occurrence of a certain psychic state with […] external events which appear as meaningful parallels to the momentary subjective state” (p.34), events that are meaningfully related but not causally connected. He argues that certain phenomena cannot be fully explained by notions of cause and effect. According to him, coincidences can reveal connections between the external world and unconscious psychic processes or “psychic conditions” (p.29). In this case, what many people call miracles could be seen as examples of synchronicity. | In “Synchronicity”⁰, Carl Jung explores the concept of synchronicity, a “simultaneous occurrence of a certain psychic state with […] external events which appear as meaningful parallels to the momentary subjective state” (p.34), events that are meaningfully related but not causally connected. He argues that certain phenomena cannot be fully explained by notions of cause and effect. According to him, coincidences can reveal connections between the external world and unconscious psychic processes or “psychic conditions” (p.29). In this case, what many people call miracles could be seen as examples of synchronicity. | ||
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This is how conspiracy theorists thrive: they try to explain the unknown as miracles or coincidences, but there is often a hidden cause. Whether we call them miracles or coincidences, these events reveal our human need to find meaning in the unknown. Jung’s theory of synchronicity gives a psychological explanation for this urge but doesn’t prove that miracles exist beyond subjective perception. | This is how conspiracy theorists thrive: they try to explain the unknown as miracles or coincidences, but there is often a hidden cause. Whether we call them miracles or coincidences, these events reveal our human need to find meaning in the unknown. Jung’s theory of synchronicity gives a psychological explanation for this urge but doesn’t prove that miracles exist beyond subjective perception. | ||
==== Conclusion ==== | |||
To conclude, the illusion of miracles influences our perception of reality, making us believe that events that appear as random are miracles or have an underlying psychic meaning our unconscious tries to reveal. However, it might just explain the unexplainable and unknown to humans today, becoming a way to obviate other reasons why things happen. | |||
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<blockquote>⁰Jung, C. G. Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle. Princeton University Press, 1973. 28-35 | <blockquote>Footnotes:</blockquote><blockquote>⁰Jung, C. G. Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle. Princeton University Press, 1973. 28-35 | ||
¹(emotions, dreams, feelings…) | ¹(emotions, dreams, feelings…) | ||
Latest revision as of 21:31, 1 November 2025
Literature review on coincidence - Patricia
Literature review on COINCIDENCES:
Introduction
In “Synchronicity”⁰, Carl Jung explores the concept of synchronicity, a “simultaneous occurrence of a certain psychic state with […] external events which appear as meaningful parallels to the momentary subjective state” (p.34), events that are meaningfully related but not causally connected. He argues that certain phenomena cannot be fully explained by notions of cause and effect. According to him, coincidences can reveal connections between the external world and unconscious psychic processes or “psychic conditions” (p.29). In this case, what many people call miracles could be seen as examples of synchronicity.
This raises the question: How can the illusion of miracles influence our perception of reality?
Miracles exist and influence our lives
Jung believed that the mind and the spirit affect our perception of physical material reality. He says that “space and time consist of nothing” (p.29), and that time does not exist in itself but is created through “psychic conditions”¹.
These psychic conditions are often unconscious. Jung believed our unconscious acts upon us² and viewed it as a source of meaning and symbolic guidance. The unconscious feelings often repressed by our conscious mind are, according to Jung, a tool to perceive the world we live in. We perceive meaningful coincidences when universal archetypal symbols³ are manifested, often when emotional intensity is created (surprise, fear, hope…). Thus, these apparently random events named “miracles” by many people and “synchronicities” by Jung appear when our unconscious mind is trying to make us learn something about ourselves.
This can be used by people to understand events they can’t explain. People also refer to religion to explain such events (i.e. Greek mythology⁴). This attempt at rational explanation is what Jung described with synchronicities: people seek meaning and symbolic understanding of events and the emotions they produce. Thus, the question is brought: do miracles truly exist, or only until science disproves them?
Are miracles truly possible?
Jung’s arguments are based on his experience, perception and assumptions, which might not be applicable to all. The existence of a collective unconscious can be questioned, since the interpretation of certain symbols depends on one’s cultural background and knowledge. This would make the unconscious specific and not universal and collective as he claimed. Being part of Western philosophy, Jung found Western meaning in symbols without considering indigenous or non European systems. For example, birds symbolize death in Western culture⁵, but “bringers of fertility”⁶ for the Zulu people. If symbols vary so much between cultures, Jung’s “universal archetypes” may be culturally conditioned interpretations.
Jung also argues that coincidences reveal underlying psychic structures, but this cannot be proven or disproven scientifically since it is subjective and based on perception.
When we attribute something to a miracle, we might obviate the invisible thing that truly caused said event. For instance, after a fire in a Spanish village, a woman claimed that the church wasn’t burnt to the ground thanks to the fact that she saved a statue of the Virgin Mary, but it was firefighters who did⁷.
This is how conspiracy theorists thrive: they try to explain the unknown as miracles or coincidences, but there is often a hidden cause. Whether we call them miracles or coincidences, these events reveal our human need to find meaning in the unknown. Jung’s theory of synchronicity gives a psychological explanation for this urge but doesn’t prove that miracles exist beyond subjective perception.
Conclusion
To conclude, the illusion of miracles influences our perception of reality, making us believe that events that appear as random are miracles or have an underlying psychic meaning our unconscious tries to reveal. However, it might just explain the unexplainable and unknown to humans today, becoming a way to obviate other reasons why things happen.
Footnotes:
⁰Jung, C. G. Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle. Princeton University Press, 1973. 28-35
¹(emotions, dreams, feelings…)
²just as Sigmund Freud, but Freud viewed it as repressed instinct that can be analyzed to learn more about ourselves
³Archetypal symbols are what Jung described as universal symbols that are present in our collective unconscious, making themselves visible during synchronicities or meaningful coincidences.
⁴In Greek mythology, Zeus’ anger was used to explain thunder, which was later disproved by science. List of thunder deities - Wikipedia
⁵Even in the West, the symbol varies: freedom, love, transformation…
⁷Article on Religión Digital, written by RD/Agencias | 20.08.2025