Psychological value and symbol formation

Jung's (1928/1988) radical revision of Freud's libido theory is critically reviewed here with a focus on its cogency, rather than historical context, identifying its convergence with gestalt field theory and the relational co ncept of mind. Jung was aware of a tension between his 'pure' concept of ps ychic energy and the 'applied' concept, already established in clinical pra ctice. Today the latter is familiar, though objectionable on scientific and philosophical grounds, whilst Jung's arguably persuasive thesis is virtual ly unknown. Jung contended that energy is not a force, the functional conte xt of behaviour is a closed system of psychological values, and therefore l ibido is not substance or desire. His proposal for applying the concept in psychology, especially regarding symbol formation, is less successful, reit erating the metaphor of libidinal how. Parallels between Jung's thesis and current debates concerning the ontological status of information and inform ational processes are pointed out.