A psicanálise e o pensamento de Paul Tillich: uma análise das influências biográficas, filosóficas e psicanalíticas à depth psychology nos escritos tillichianos

Abstract

The research investigates the references to psychoanalysis in the thought of the Lutheran theologian and philosopher of religion Paul Tillich (1886-1965). He reflected, in a singular way, on unconscious phenomena, resorting to psychoanalysis in an epistemological sense and, in a second instance, by considering depth psychology as a form of support for psychic suffering, especially expressions of anxiety, applied, therapeutically, particularly in the context of pastoral conversation. Depth psychology, an expression that can be translated into Portuguese as psicologia profunda or psicologia do profundo, consists of a perspective emphasized by Tillich, who admits unconscious phenomena as an expression of subjectivity as essential and existential human aspects. The influences of Freudian psychoanalysis and Jungian psychology are attributed to it. Depth psychology understands that psychic suffering results from the reflection of consciousness in relation to existential threats which arise in the form of guilt, feelings of emptiness, and confrontation with finitude. Thus, anxiety is seen as a human condition, and to deal with it, it is necessary to seek the deep dimension of being in a movement toward its fullness. Paul Tillich has been more studied as an existentialist thinker ; however, the major contributions of essentialism from classical thought and German idealism are accentuated. From the latter, those of Friedrich Schelling (1775-1854) are highlighted. From the existentialist side, those of Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) are highlighted. In this sense, the contributions of these authors are reflected, respectively (and mainly), in the concepts of boundary and ground of being, so important both in Tillich’s general thought and in his depth psychology. Tillich's intellectual life trajectory is equally worthy of observation, as it is based, to a large extent, on his personal boundaries, both in the familial and conjugal fields as well as in the social, political, and professional aspects, which is reflected in his writings and in depth psychology.