Experiência religiosa e construção do Self na psicologia analítica e neurociência cognitiva: diálogos possíveis a partir de Carl Gustav Jung e Patrick McNamara

Abstract

This thesis presents a research of conceptual relations between analytical psychology, as originally formulated by Jung, and the neurocognitive model of Self proposed by McNamara, with focus on the functional basis of religious experience. From analytical psychology, the main concepts analysed involve the theory of complexes, which is traced from its beginnings in word association tests to the well-formed presentation in the last texts of Jung, as well as the role of symbols and archetypes, and the manner through which libido enables religious psychic contents. From the theory of McNamara, it is examined the unfolding of the problem of the divided Self, presenting a review of its theoretical roots and an exposition of the relations that McNamara draws between this problem and recent developments in genetics and evolution, as well as the concepts of executive Self and possible Selves. Particular consideration is devoted to the way both thinkers explain the transformative capacity of religious practices to one’s conscience. At the end, points of converging between both theories are proposed.