Geniusz i szaleństwo a proces twórczy

The modern science does not possess adequate means of analysis and interpretation of genius and madness. Objective and statistical methods and rationalistic analysis push away the specificity of these phenomena. Genius and madness are possible to analyse and interpret from the perspective of Carl G. Jung’s theory of archetypes. Genius and madness are elements of the qualitative process of transformation of the human consciousness (initiation), but their meaning in the context of the individuation process (formation of individual personality) is different. In the context of creative process and in the context of culture the problem becomes crucial. Constructive interpretation of genius and madness is possible on the basis of “round way” metaphor, which catch complex nature of human symbolic activity, creative process and the culture. The Jungian concept of circumambulatio (rounding) is useful as well.