A comparative analysis of phenomenological intentionality and Gestalt Therapy's concept of awareness

• Grant number: 24/05108-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Fundamentals and Assessments in Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Danilo Saretta Verissimo
• Grantee: Gustavo Filier Conrado
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the historical and theoretical link between two fundamental concepts for phenomenology and Gestalt Therapy, respectively: intentionality and awareness. To do so, we hope to (1) explore the history of phenomenology and its emergence; (2) examine the definition of intentionality in the Husserlian tradition; (3) analyze the historical context of the formation of Gestalt Therapy; (4) elucidate the definition, for Perls, Hefferline and Goodman, of awareness; and, finally, (5) explore the historical and theoretical parallels that such concepts have. This investigation is characterized as theoretical-conceptual research at the interface of psychology and philosophy. We will work with a primary bibliography relating to phenomenology and Gestalt Therapy and with a critical bibliography relevant to the topic and which helps us develop our analyses. The reading, critical and interpretative analysis, and writing procedures will be based on techniques for reading and writing argumentative texts. We hope that deepening the conceptual questions we propose will contribute not only to our training in research, but also to the development of current discussions around the historical relationships between Gestalt Therapy and phenomenology.