Edith Stein\'s contributions to the epistemology of sciences and to Scientific Psychology

Author(s)

Carolina de Resende Damas Cardoso

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2012-11-30

Examining board members

Marina Massimi; Reinaldo Furlan

• Advisor: Marina Massimi

Abstract

Edith Stein (1891-1942) was a prominent disciple of Edmund Husserl (1859-1938), founder of the theoretical-methodological proposal of Phenomenology. Following faithfully to the master, yet providing authentic contributions to phenomenological school, Stein mainly dealt with the issue of the structure of the human person and the foundation of those sciences who hold the man as the object of study. Among these sciences, we can lay emphasis on Scientific Psychology. Thereby, the objective of this research was to conduct an analysis about the philosophical and anthropological foundation that Edith Stein\'s phenomenology may offer to Scientific Psychology, regarding the problem of defining the object and method of this science. From the perspective of Historiography of Scientific Psychology, we used as primary source Stein\'s work Introduction to Philosophy. In this work, one of the main issues raised by the author is to understand what nature and subjectivity are and how we can get to the knowledge of them. Discussing it, Stein proposes a new conception of subjectivity, anchored in the concept of the human person, which includes our own corporeality and the essential tripartite yet united constitution of the human being. The soul is the vital principle; indication of an interiority formed by a psychic structure that, in turn, has sensible and spiritual qualities. It is possible to learn about a person\'s soul\'s life through the expressiveness of her body, through intentional acts of external perception, inner perception and empathy that should therefore be considered in the methodology of the sciences who claim the knowledge of human being. We concluded that Stein\'s work can be inserted into the core of the discussions still present in Psychology and may shed light on questions concerning the origin of knowledge; the nature of the person; their similarities and differences from other animals; the disclosure of the human spiritual structure, contemplating the subject of freedom and volition, as well as its relationship with the psychic (cognitive and affective) and sensitive aspects; the essential unity of psychophysical and spiritual structure; the constitution of personality; the knowledge of others and of oneself; and the action of man in the world. Furthermore, Stein\'s analyzes provide epistemological clarification regarding the sciences of subjectivity, as well as the possibilities of interdisciplinarity and the autonomy of each observation area. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/03949-3 - Edith Stein's contribuitions to the epistemology of sciences and to scientific psychology
• Grantee: Carolina de Resende Damas Cardoso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master