The Question of Psychological Types: The Correspondence of C. G. Jung and Hans Schmid-Guisan, 1915-1916

Basel, 6. I. 16.

Dear Friend,

The days spent in the Ticino have had a double effect on me; they clarified my views on the relation between the two types and were confusing with regard to the solution of my own core problems. I no longer find this confusion bothersome as I used to, however, but stimulating, and I hope that we will more and more succeed in having a sort of contact, which confuses only inasmuch as it is beneficial.

I am still occupied with the problem of matter and form, and I cannot settle for the formulation we found.²⁶⁹ Referring to the circles made by the waves in the lake, I said: I can find the form only in and by myself, and nobody must disturb my circles in the process; but the form I find only through the intersection between my circles and those of others. You replied that things were the other way around for you, that for you the form came from within, while others provided the matter for it. That’s what I still remember.

I would like to develop that thought further: The introvert, too, provides the matter, namely, his thoughts, but as thoughts they are formless. Once you told me that it repeatedly struck you how your secretary Moltzer²⁷⁰ rendered thoughts that you had told her in a more acceptable and lively form. So perhaps the extravert has the capability of clearly formulating thoughts, and the introvert provides the matter in the form of

²⁶⁹ No sources for such a discussion could be found.

²⁷⁰ On Moltzer, see note 87. She “worked closely with Jung as his assistant” (Shamdasani, 1998a, p. 57). In 1915 Jung confirmed to Jelliffe that he “trusted … cases entirely to her with the only condition, that in cases of difficulties she would consult me… . Later on Miss M. worked quite independently” (ibid.). As to her role as Jung’s “secretary,” she occasionally attended to his correspondence while he was away (letter from Moltzer to Freud, 24 April 1912; Freud Archives, University of Essex).

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