Karl Mannheim und der Begriff des „Social Unconscious" – Eine Fallstudie zur Theoriegeschichte der Gruppenanalyse.

The following article explores the possible contribution that Karl Mannheim's sociology of knowledge can make to the discussion around Foulkes' concept of the "social unconscious". In this discussion, which is currently at the centre of international group analytic discourse, this contribution continues to be largely ignored. The article discusses the theory-historical reasons that have led to this questionable status quo. In this context, Foulkes' early setting the course in favour of the concept of the "social unconscious" and against the concept of the "collective unconscious" proves to be decisive. After Foulkes and in connection with his setting the course, it has been completely overlooked that Mannheim had his own concept of the collective unconscious, which differed fundamentally from the corresponding concept canonised by C. G. Jung and promised to be significantly more productive in group analytic thinking than the latter. In this respect, the article can also be read as a lesson in the continuing importance of the interdisciplinary conceptual heritage that Foulkes brought to group analysis and the difficulties it continues to have in appropriating and integrating that heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]