Auxiliary function

1. Etymology

Auxiliary function names a helpful second or third function in Jung’s typology that co-determines consciousness. Related: primary / superior function; inferior-function; rational / irrational pairing.

2. Plain summary

Only one function can hold absolute sovereignty if aims are to stay clear. A second function of equal power would contradict the first. So the auxiliary comes in second—complementary, not rival.

Its nature differs from the superior function but is not antagonistic: a rational superior pairs with an irrational auxiliary (sensation or intuition), and the reverse. Thinking can pair with intuition or sensation; feeling with sensation or intuition; and so on. Related to the path toward the inferior-function—the auxiliary often buffers before the fourth is worked.

Examples (exhaustive house list for this Index lemma — common auxiliary-function motifs named across Jung’s essays and standard Jungian lexica; not a claim that Jung’s CW contains only these):
second/third helpful function; co-determines consciousness; not equal sovereignty; complementary not antagonistic; rational×irrational pairing rule; thinking+intuition/sensation; feeling+sensation/intuition; buffer toward inferior-function; typology eight-group combinations; adaptation needs unambiguous aims.

3. Academic elucidation

In analytical psychology the auxiliary function is secondary orientation—necessary for adaptation’s clarity without splitting aims. Descent Press keeps Sharp in §4; Samuels discusses under typology (no dedicated head). §5 holds sample dual-stamps near CW 6 ¶666–668. Prefer CW 6.

4. Lexicon

Sharp (1991)

Auxiliary function. A helpful second or third function, according to Jung’s model of typology, that has a co-determining influence on consciousness. Absolute sovereignty always belongs, empirically, to one function alone… This other function… comes into play more as an auxiliary or complementary function. The auxiliary function is always one whose nature differs from, but is not antagonistic to, the superior or primary function…

(Sharp, 1991)

Samuels, Shorter & Plaut (1986) — via typology pp. 153–155:

typology … The superior function will come from one of the two pairs… utilise a second, or auxiliary function as well… from the opposite pair of rational or irrational functions…

(Samuels, Shorter, & Plaut, 1986, pp. 153–155)

5. CW concordance — sample, not exhaustive

Closer investigation shows with great regularity that, besides the most differentiated function, another, less differentiated function of secondary importance is invariably present in consciousness and exerts a co-determining influence.
(Jung, 1921/1971, CW 6, p. 565, ¶666)

This absolute sovereignty always belongs, empirically, to one function alone, and can belong only to one function, because the equally independent intervention of another function would necessarily produce a different orientation which, partially at least, would contradict the first. … This other function, therefore, can have only a secondary importance… [and] comes into play more as an auxiliary or complementary function. … Experience shows that the secondary function is always one whose nature is different from, though not antagonistic to, the primary function. Thus, thinking as the primary function can readily pair with intuition as the auxiliary, or indeed equally well with sensation, but, as already observed, never with feeling.
(Jung, 1921/1971, CW 6, pp. 565–567, ¶¶667–668)

See also: function; inferior-function; typology; rational; irrational; thinking; feeling; sensation; intuition.

References

Jung, C. G. (1971). Psychological types [Principal and Auxiliary Functions]. In H. Read, M. Fordham, G. Adler, & W. McGuire (Eds.), The collected works of C. G. Jung (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.) (Vol. 6, pp. 565–567, ¶¶666–668). Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1921)

Samuels, A., Shorter, B., & Plaut, F. (1986). A critical dictionary of Jungian analysis. Routledge.

Sharp, D. (1991). Jung lexicon: A primer of terms & concepts. Inner City Books.