Wisdom and Madness, Vincenzo Caretti and Ronald D. Laing specifically discuss the significant elements of Jungian theory and, in particular, the influence it has had on Laing's thought. Laing admits to being influenced by Jung, specifically symbols of transformation, the reading of which proved indispensable as it introduced original nuances and perspectives through which to read and interpret phenomena, and return to the "mysterious and remote origins" of human being: "Of course, symbols of transformation played a decisive role for me," Laing says. It is a pioneering work for the way my work in psychiatry has been oriented ever since". It is easy to see why Laing regards symbols as innovative and significant.
