Even the most carefully defined philosophical or mathematical concept, which we are sure does not contain more than we have put into it, is nevertheless more than we assume. It is a psychic event and as such partly unknowable. The very numbers you use in counting are more than you take them to be. They are at the same time mythological elements {for the Pythagoreans, they were even divine}; but you are certainly unaware of this when you use numbers for a practical purpose.
Even well-defined concepts in philosophy or mathematics contain elements beyond our conscious understanding. They are not just intellectual constructs; they represent something deeper that remains unknowable. This complexity is rooted in our psychic experience, indicating that what we think we fully grasp might be much more intricate than we realize. For instance, while we use numbers for practical tasks, they carry a rich historical and symbolic weight that we often overlook.
Jung highlights that numbers have a mythological and even divine significance, as seen in Pythagorean thought. When we engage with numbers in everyday life, we might see them merely as tools for counting or measuring. However, this pragmatic application is just a fraction of what numbers represent. They embody a deeper narrative that intertwines with human consciousness and culture, reflecting layers of meaning that transcend their immediate utility.
