To Erich Neumann
Dear Colleague, December 1948
Please forgive me for writing to you by hand, but I can concentrate my thoughts better that way.
The MS of Myst. Coniunct. is still not in travel worthy form, also the last chapter has not yet been written.
But there are various MSS which are more or less ready for press and of which copies can be sent to you.
Your book on ethics1has come out here and is already kicking up so much dust that the time may come when I have to state my position.
The question has been raised at the Institute whether it is advisable under the circumstances to make use of your kind permission and bring out the book in the series.
It is feared that this would be prejudicial to future discussion, also that the Institute would be committed to certain formulations even if only morally or to outward appearances.
A small Institute still weak in the legs cannot risk too many opponents (sidelong glances at the University and Church ).
I have read your book a second time and again had a very strong impression and with it the certainty that it will come like a bombshell.
Your formulations are brilliant and often razor-sharp; they are provocative and aggressive-shock troops in the open where nothing, unfortunately, was to be seen before.
Naturally the enemy will concentrate his fire on such an exposed detachment.
It is just the transparently clear, unambiguous formula that is most endangered because it has an exposed side.
No war is waged without losses, and with a stalemate one gets nowhere.
Even the title “New Ethic” is a clarion call: Aux annes, citoyens!
Here we shall get a whiff of poison gas and some clobbering about the head.
In Tel-Aviv you run the risk of Egyptian bombs.
I am not quarrelsome but combative by nature and I cannot conceal from you my secret pleasure.
But I shall have to act worried find if necessary discharge my duty as commandant of the fire brigade.
Your writings will become a petra scandali but also the most potent impetus for future developments.
For this I am profoundly grateful to you.
With best regards,
Very sincerely yours,
C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1, Pages 514-515.