TOWARDS a SCIENCE of SYNCHRONICITIES: MEANING and THERAPEUTIC IMPLICATIONS
By Gibbs A Williams   
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Last edited: Sunday, September 12, 2010
Posted: Sunday, September 12, 2010

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In this paper I examine the critically important role that meaning plays in the formulation of
alternative theories of synchronicity and their implications for treatment. I first define what
synchronicities are and their growing importance as significant events to be identified, explored,
and worked through in working with synchronicity prone patients. Next I identify and outline
Jungs formulation of his radical anti scientific transpersonal theory of synchronicities with
particular attention focused on understanding his concept of theequivalence of meaning. This is
followed by listing questions raised, the chief one being: what is the meaning of meaning and its
relationship to causality. This exploration leads to the finding that alternative perspectives
concerning the nature of meaning associated with the production of synchronicities result in the
formulation of alternative theories of synchronicities and redefinitions of associated core concepts.
Specifically, alternative understandings of the meaning of meaning leads either to a half
psychodynamic and half mystical magical (transpersonal) theory of synchronicities (i.e. Jung and
his followers) or to a totally naturalistic psychodynamic theory of synchronicities (i.e. Faber and or
Williams.) Meanings will alternatively be viewed as absolute, transcendent, passively channeled
bypassing interpretation, or as relative, self generated messages via an active process of meaning
making utilizing a persons idiosyncratic creative process. Lastly, implications for working with
synchronistic material will be discussed.
Overview: