Abstract
In any developmental sequence, growth will proceed from pre-X to X to trans-X (unless X is a definite end limit). Because both pre-X and trans-X are, in their own ways, non-X, they may appear similar, even identical, to the untutored eye. This is particularly the case with prepersonal and transpersonal, or prerational and transrational, or pre-egoic and trans-egoic. Once these two conceptually and developmentally distinct realms of experience are theoretically confused, one tends either to elevate prepersonal events to transpersonal status or to reduce transpersonal events to prepersonal status. This is the pre/trans fallacy, and this article examines some of its various forms and influences in psychology, anthropology, and sociology, with particular emphasis on Freud and Jung.

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