The Art of Inquiry: A Depth-Psychological Perspective

In this clear and readable book, the authors show that research guided by the soul is rich, passionate, and meaningful. Borrowing from their expertise as scholars and teachers, they blend philosophy and practice to describe what scholarly research undertaken from the perspective of the soul might look like and to account for the exceptional experience of psychological inquiry at its best. The third, expanded edition includes two new chapters. The new second chapter offers a basic introduction to depth psychology for thoughtful, inquisitive readers, one that follows its connections to myth, religion, and indigenous practices of healing. A new seventh chapter on deep writing explores qualities such as beauty, craft, the fluidity and precision of language, and soulful communion between author and reader. This edition also enlarges the scope of the conversation by including more expert voices, including philosophers, poets, and novelists as well as scholars of religion, anthropology, mythology, and neurobiology.

Elizabeth Eowyn Nelson is Professor at Pacifica Graduate Institute, where she has been teaching since 2003. She designed the research curriculum for two different Pacifica programs and teaches research methodology, scholarly writing, and dissertation development. She has degrees in Economics, Political Science, and Literature and more than 30 years of experience as a writer/editor for clients in technology, health, and finance, and continues to coach aspiring authors. She is the author of Psyche’s Knife: Archetypal Explorations of Love and Power (Chiron, 2012).

Joseph Coppin is Professor Emeritus at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California where he has been on the core faculty for nearly 20 years, including 8 years as Chair of the Depth Psychology Department. He has been a psychotherapist in the tradition of depth psychology for over 35 years. His training and background in Freudian, Jungian, and Archetypal Psychology have blended clinical experiences with teaching, writing, research, and consultation. He currently lives in Grass Valley, California.