Sobre a Psicologia em Tomás de Aquino / On Thomas Aquinas's Psychology: An Analysis of the Will in the SummaTheologica

Desde o século XIII, a obra de Tomás de Aquino tem suscitado muitos debates entre filósofos e teólogos. São poucos os psicólogos, contudo, que veem aí alguma relevância para a psicologia contemporânea, embora o pensamento do Aquinate contenha profundas reflexões sobre aspectos da natureza humana que ainda desafiam nossa compreensão. Partindo do pressuposto de que o pensamento medieval pode lançar luz sobre alguns debates psicológicos contemporâneos, o objetivo do presente artigo é duplo: primeiro, queremos mostrar que há uma psicologia genuína em Tomás de Aquino, entendida como scientia de anima; segundo, vamos ilustrar nossa tese por meio da análise de um de seus conceitos centrais, a saber, a vontade. Nossa análise ficará restrita ao âmbito da Suma de Teologia, embora apareçam também algumas menções a outros escritos em que o tópico aparece. Ao final, vamos discutir as implicações desse conceito para a psicologia de Aquino, algumas limitações da presente investigação e possíveis caminhos futuros.

From the XIII century onward, Aquinas's work has been much debated among philosophers and theologians. Not many psychologists, however, see in his work any relevance for contemporary psychology, although Aquinas's system contains profound reflections on some aspects of human nature that still defy our understanding. Assuming that medieval thought can shed some light on contemporary psychological debates, the goal of this paper is twofold: first, wewant to show that there is a genuine psychology in Aquinas's work, understood as scientia de anima; second, we will illustrate our thesis by analyzing one of its central concepts, namely, the will. Our analysis will focus on the Summa Theologica, although Aquinas's other writings will also be mentioned. In the end, we will discuss the implications of this concept for Aquina's psychology, some limits of our present investigation, and potential paths for future research.

Psychoanalysizing science itself: Psychoanalysis, philosophy of science and scientific research in the institutionalization of Argentinian psychology (1962-1983).

To clarify the historical origins of theoretical and methodological problems faced by Argentinian psychology today, this article describes the philosophical and epistemological ideas held by psychoanalytically oriented professors and transmitted to undergraduate students during the institutionalization and professionalization of psychology at Argentinian universities between 1962 and 1983. Drawing from primary sources such as official publications and undergraduate syllabi, we analyze the systematic and normative perspective of those psychoanalysts on issues such as the nature of science, the scientific method, and the legitimate ways to do research. We argue that the philosophical approach they defended within psychology programs was markedly relativistic, solipsistic, and often recursive, leading them to conceive of psychoanalysis both as a meta-theory and a self-sufficient science. The fact that this "theory-laden" philosophy of science was gradually adopted by psychology graduates (or undergraduates) throughout their education could thus help explain several epistemological beliefs currently held by a majority of Argentinian psychologists.

O Nome e a Coisa: Sobre as Origens da Psicologia Como Ciência / The Name and the Thing: On the Origins of Psychology as a Science / El Nombre y la Cosa: Sobre los Orígenes de la Psicología Como Ciencia

Entre psicólogos, filósofos e historiadores não há consenso sobre o início da psicologia como ciência. Muitas vezes, parece haver nesses debates uma confusão entre o nome "psicologia" e a coisa por ele designada. Neste caso, a questão central é saber se a existência da coisa depende ou não do nome. Nosso objetivo é mostrar a insuficiência do nome "psicologia" para designar a coisa. Mais especificamente, defendemos a existência da coisa muito antes do surgimento do nome. Inicialmente, analisamos as investigações sobre a psykhé na tradição grega. Em seguida, abordamos a constituição de uma ciência da alma entre a Idade Média Tardia e o início do período moderno. Acompanhamos também o surgimento do nome "psicologia" e as distintas coisas por ele nomeadas até o estabelecimento do projeto de uma ciência psicológica em Christian Wolff e suas consequências. Finalmente, discutimos as implicações de nossa investigação para o debate sobre as origens da psicologia como ciência. (AU)

Among psychologists, philosophers, and historians there is no consensus on the beginning of psychology as a science. In these debates there seems to be a confusion between the name "psychology" and the thing named as it. In this case, the central question is whether or not the thing's existence depends on the name. Our goal is to show the insufficiency of the name "psychology" to designate the thing. More specifically, we defend the existence of the thing long before the name's appearance. Initially, we analyze the investigations on the psykhé in the Greek tradition. Then, we approach the constitution of a science of the soul between the Late Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern period. We also follow the emergence of the name "psychology" and the different things it designates until the establishment of Christian Wolff's project of a psychological science and its consequences. Finally, we discuss the implications of our investigation to the debate about the origins of psychology as a science. (AU)

Entre psicólogos, filósofos e historiadores no existe consenso sobre el inicio de la psicología como ciencia. A menudo parece haber en estos debates una confusión entre el nombre "psicología" y la cosa nombrada. En este caso, la cuestión central es si la existencia de la cosa depende del nombre o no. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar la insuficiencia del nombre "psicología" para designar la cosa. Más específicamente, defendimos la existencia de la cosa mucho antes de que apareciera el nombre. Inicialmente, analizamos las investigaciones sobre la psykhé en la tradición griega. Luego, nos acercamos a la constitución de una ciencia del alma entre la Edad Media Tardía y el inicio de la época moderna. También seguimos la aparición del nombre "psicología" y las diferentes cosas que nombró hasta el establecimiento de lo proyecto de una ciencia psicológica en Christian Wolff y sus consecuencias. Finalmente, discutimos las implicaciones de nuestra investigación para el debate sobre los orígenes de la psicología como ciencia. (AU)

Psychology qua psychoanalysis in Argentina: Some historical origins of a philosophical problem (1942-1964).

Contemporary Argentinian psychology has a unique characteristic: it is identified with psychoanalysis. Nonpsychoanalytic theories and therapies are difficult to find. In addition, there is an overt antiscientific attitude within many psychology programs. How should this be explained? In this paper, we claim that a philosophical history of psychology can shed new light on the development of Argentinian psychology by showing that early Argentinian psychoanalysts held positions in the newborn psychology programs and a distinctive stance toward scientific research in general and psychology in particular. In the absence of an explicit and articulate philosophical position, psychoanalysts developed an implicit meta-theory that helped shape the context that led to the institutionalization and professionalization of psychology in Argentina. Although we do not establish or even suggest a monocausal link between their ideas and the current state of Argentinian psychology, we do claim that their impact should be explored. Finally, we discuss some limitations of our study and suggest future complementary investigations.

O passado e o futuro da psicologia experimental: contribuições de Fechner, Wundt e James / The past and future of experimental psychology: contributions of Fechner, Wundt, and James / El pasado y el futuro de la psicología experimental: contribuciones de Fechner, Wundt y James

Tanto a ideia de uma psicologia experimental quanto a realização de experimentos psicológicos já estão presentes no século 18. Contudo, é no século 19, primeiramente nas universidades alemãs, que a psicologia experimental adquire um novo estatuto, marcando fortemente a identidade da nova psicologia. O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar uma reflexão de caráter histórico-filosófico sobre a natureza da psicologia experimental, com base nas contribuições de Fechner, Wundt e James. Depois de apresentar sua dimensão histórica, discutimos sua relação com a psicologia experimental contemporânea, no sentido de esclarecer se elas podem iluminar de alguma forma seu caminho futuro. Concluímos que um diálogo efetivo depende da modificação de certas condições estruturais do modelo atual de formação do psicólogo.

Both the idea of experimental psychology and the realization of psychological experiments were already present in the 18th century. However, it was in the 19th century, firstly in German universities, that experimental psychology acquired a new status, thereby marking the identity of the new psychology. The aim of this paper is to present a historical-philosophical reflection on the nature of experimental psychology, based on the contributions of Fechner, Wundt and James. After presenting their historical dimension, we discuss their relation with contemporary experimental psychology, in order to clarify whether they can somehow illuminate its future path. We conclude that an effective dialogue depends on the modification of certain structural conditions in the current training model for psychologists.

Tanto la idea de la psicología experimental como la realización de experimentos psicológicos ya se encontraban presentes en el siglo XVIII. Sin embargo, fue en el siglo XIX, y primero en las universidades alemanas, que la psicología experimental adquirió un nuevo estatus, marcando así la identidad de la nueva psicología. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar una reflexión histórico-filosófica sobre la naturaleza de la psicología experimental, basada en las contribuciones de Fechner, Wundt y James. Después de presentar su dimensión histórica, discutimos su relación con la psicología experimental contemporánea, para aclarar si de alguna manera pueden iluminar su futuro camino. Concluimos que un diálogo efectivo depende de la modificación de ciertas condiciones estructurales en el modelo actual de entrenamiento de los psicólogos.

Para além dos princípios de psicologia: evolução e sentido do Projeto Psicológico de William James / Beyond the principles of psychology: evolution and meaning of William James’s Psychological Project

William James é uma figura central na história da psicologia e da filosofia. Entretanto, a interpretação de sua obra ainda está repleta de lacunas e mal-entendidos. Por exemplo, a extensão e o sentido do seu projeto psicológico permanecem mal compreendidos. Para muitos autores, James teria abandonado a psicologia após The Principles of Psychology (1890), ao passo que outros entendem o The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) como obra psicológica. O objetivo deste artigo é explorar a questão da evolução do projeto psicológico de James, acompanhando diversos momentos de sua manifestação ao longo de sua carreira. Ao final, vamos defender aquilo que chamamos de tese da pervasividade, segundo a qual a psicologia está presente em toda a obra de James.(AU)

William James is a central figure in the history of psychology and philosophy. However, the interpretation of his work is full of gaps and misunderstandings. In particular, the extension and meaning of his psychological project remain poorly understood. For many authors, James abandoned psychology after The Principles of Psychology (1890), whereas others understand The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) as a psychological work. The goal of this article is to explore the issue of the evolution of James’s psychological project, following distinct moments of its realization throughout his career. At the end, we will defend what we call the pervasiveness thesis, according to which psychology is present throughout James’s work.(AU)

Para Além dos Princípios de Psicologia: Evolução e Sentido do Projeto Psicológico de William James / Beyond the Principles of Psychology: Evolution and Meaning of William James s Psychological Project

William James é uma figura central na história da psicologia e da filosofia. Entretanto, a interpretação de sua obra ainda está repleta de lacunas e mal-entendidos. Por exemplo, a extensão e o sentido do seu projeto psicológico permanecem mal compreendidos. Para muitos autores, James teria abandonado a psicologia após The Principles of Psychology (1890), ao passo que outros entendem o The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) como obra psicológica. O objetivo deste artigo é explorar a questão da evolução do projeto psicológico de James, acompanhando diversos momentos de sua manifestação ao longo de sua carreira. Ao final, vamos defender aquilo que chamamos de tese da pervasividade, segundo a qual a psicologia está presente em toda a obra de James.

William James is a central figure in the history of psychology and philosophy. However, the interpretation of his work is full of gaps and misunderstandings. In particular, the extension and meaning of his psychological project remain poorly understood. For many authors, James abandoned psychology after The Principles of Psychology (1890), whereas others understand The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) as a psychological work. The goal of this article is to explore the issue of the evolution of James s psychological project, following distinct moments of its realization throughout his career. At the end, we will defend what we call the pervasiveness thesis, according to which psychology is present throughout James s work.

From classicism and idealism to scientific naturalism: Titchener's Oxford years and their impact upon his early intellectual development.

Edward Titchener (1867-1927) is one of the most prominent figures in the history of American psychology from the early 20th century. Accordingly, his psychological system-structuralism-has received due attention in the secondary literature. However, a closer look at traditional interpretations of the development of Titchener's ideas reveals a series of missing elements, such as his early studies before going to Leipzig. The central goal of this article is to present the main elements of Titchener's intellectual education in Oxford, thereby showing the influence of the British tradition of the 19th century upon his early intellectual development. On the basis of hitherto unexplored primary sources, we discuss Titchener's relationship with British idealism and scientific naturalism, two movements that shaped a significant part of British psychological thinking in the 19th century. We conclude that Titchener's Oxford years are much more relevant to understanding his intellectual development than the literature has so far assumed. (PsycINFO Database Record

O impacto da obra de J. B. Watson na psicologia norte-americana: Alguns parâmetros de comparação / The impact of J. B. Watson's work on American Psychology: Some comparison parameters / El impacto de la obra de J. B. Watson en la psicología norteamericana: Algunos parámetros de comparación

O impacto da obra de J. B. Watson tem sido explorado na historiografia da psicologia. Neste âmbito, destacam-se estudos que utilizam como método a análise bibliométrica. Tais pesquisas, no entanto, não utilizam parâmetros comparativos que possam indicar de forma mais precisa o grau de impacto daquela obra. O presente estudo busca preencher tal lacuna por meio de uma análise bibliométrica comparativa das referências às obras de Watson e outros três relevantes psicólogos do período: Edward B. Titchener, Edward L. Thorndike e William James. A pesquisa foi realizada em cinco importantes periódicos norte-americanos da área, entre os anos 1903 e 1923 ­ uma década antes e uma década após a publicação do Manifesto Behaviorista. Os resultados permitem concluir que, embora não possa ser tomada propriamente como um marco revolucionário, a obra de Watson teve, na década posterior à publicação do Manifesto Behaviorista (1914-1923), um impacto próximo ao de Titchener e maior do que o de Thorndike, ainda que distante da influência exercida por James. (AU)

The impact of J. B. Watson's work has been explored in the historiography of psychology. In this context, bibliometric analysis has been often used as a methodological strategy. However, such studies do not present comparative parameters that may indicate more precisely its degree of impact. The goal of this paper is to fill this gap, by making a comparative bibliometric analysis of citations to Watson and three other representative psychologists at that time: Edward B. Titchener, Edward L. Thorndike and William James. Five important American journals were scrutinized for the period between 1903 and 1923, a decade before and a decade after the publication of Watson's Behaviorist Manifesto. The results suggest that, even if it cannot be taken as a revolutionary milestone, Watson's work had, in the first decade after the publication of the Behaviorist Manifesto (1914-1923), an impact similar to Titchener's and higher than Thorndike's, although still distant from James's influence. (AU)

El impacto de la obra de J. B. Watson ha sido investigado en la historiografía de la psicología. En este contexto, se destacan los estudios que utilizan el análisis bibliométrico como método. Sin embargo, estos estudios no utilizan parámetros comparativos que pueden indicar con mejor precisión el grado de impacto del autor. El objetivo de este estudio es llenar este vacío por medio de un análisis bibliométrico comparativo de las citas de las obras de Watson y de otros tres sicólogos importantes en este período: Edward B. Titchener, Edward Thorndike y William James. La búsqueda se realizó en cinco periódicos norteamericanos importantes entre los años 1903 y 1923, una década antes y una década después de la publicación del Manifiesto Conductista de Watson. Los resultados permiten concluir que, aún que no pueda ser tomada propiamente como un hito revolucionario, la obra de Watson tuvo, en la década después de la publicación del Manifiesto Conductista (1914-1923), un impacto próximo al de Titchener y más alto que el de Thorndike, aún que muy distante de la influencia ejercida por James. (AU)

O cérebro produz a mente? Um levantamento da opinião de psiquiatras / Does the brain produce the mind? A survey of psychiatrists’ opinions

Psychiatrists’ views on the mind-brain relationship (MBR) have marked clinical and research implications, but there is a lack of studies on this topic. Objectives: To evaluate psychiatrists’ opinions on the MBR, and whether they are amenable to change or not. Methods: We conducted a survey of psychiatrists’ views on the MBR just before and after a debate on the MBR at the Brazilian Congress of Psychiatry in 2014. Results: Initially, from more than 600 participants, 53% endorsed the view that “the mind (your “I”) is a product of brain activity”, while 47% disagreed. Moreover, 72% contested the view that “the universe is composed only of matter”. After the debate, 30% changed from a materialist to a non-materialist view of mind, while 17% changed in the opposite way. Discussion: Psychiatrists are interested in debates on the MBR, do not hold a monolithic view on the subject and their positions are open to reflection and change, suggesting the need for more in-depth studies and rigorous but open-minded debates on the subject...

Psychiatrists’ views on the mind-brain relationship (MBR) have marked clinical and research implications, but there is a lack of studies on this topic. Objectives: To evaluate psychiatrists’ opinions on the MBR, and whether they are amenable to change or not. Methods: We conducted a survey of psychiatrists’ views on the MBR just before and after a debate on the MBR at the Brazilian Congress of Psychiatry in 2014. Results: Initially, from more than 600 participants, 53% endorsed the view that “the mind (your “I”) is a product of brain activity”, while 47% disagreed. Moreover, 72% contested the view that “the universe is composed only of matter”. After the debate, 30% changed from a materialist to a non-materialist view of mind, while 17% changed in the opposite way. Discussion: Psychiatrists are interested in debates on the MBR, do not hold a monolithic view on the subject and their positions are open to reflection and change, suggesting the need for more in-depth studies and rigorous but open-minded debates on the subject...

Bringing new archival sources to Wundt scholarship: the case of Wundt's assistantship with Helmholtz.

Wilhelm Wundt's biography is one of the main domains in Wundt scholarship that deserves more detailed attention. The few existing biographical works present many problems, ranging from vagueness to chronological inaccuracies, among others. One of the important gaps concerns the so-called Heidelberg period (1852-1874), during which he went from being a medical student to holding a professorship at the University of Heidelberg. The aim of this article is to dispel a very common confusion in the secondary literature, which refers to Wundt's assistantship with Helmholtz at the Physiological Institute, by establishing the precise dates of his assistantship. Contrary to what is generally repeated in the secondary literature, the primary sources allow us to determine precisely this period from October 1858 to March 1865. I conclude by pointing out the indispensability of the primary sources not only to Wundt scholarship but also to the historiography of psychology in general.

Sobre a fundamentação da psicologia racional no século XVIII: uma análise do confronto entre Mendelssohn e Kant acerca da simplicidade da alma / On the grounding of rationalist psychology in the XVIII century: an analysis of the confrontation between Mendelssohn and Kant about the simplicity of the soul

O argumento da simplicidade da alma tem uma elevada aceitação entre os filósofos racionalistas que objetivam fundamentar a tese da imortalidade da alma. Este é o caso de Mendelssohn, que, ao revigorar o Fédon de Platão, aprimora este argumento, bem como a demonstração da incorruptibilidade da alma. Entendido como uma notável referência no Iluminismo alemão, confrontamos seus argumentos com as objeções kantianas às provas teóricas da imortalidade da alma. Assim, constatamos que seu argumento da simplicidade da alma pode ser compreendido entre aqueles que Kant qualifica como paralogismo transcendental, e que sua defesa da incorruptibilidade da alma não se sustenta, quando se respeitam as condições de uso objetivo dos conceitos puros do entendimento. Ao articularmos estas discussões, podemos esclarecer a sagacidade de Mendelssohn e ressaltar a precisão das objeções de Kant, as quais são decisivas no desenvolvimento histórico da psicologia.(AU)

The argument of the simplicity of the soul has a high acceptance among rationalist philosophers who aim to substantiate the thesis of the soul’s immortality. This is the case of Mendelssohn, who invigorates Plato’s Phaedo and improves this argument, as well as the demonstration of the incorruptibility of the soul. Since his work is a remarkable reference in the German Enlightenment, we confronted his arguments with Kant’s objections to the theoretical proofs of the immortality of the soul. This allowed us to verify that his argument about the simplicity of the soul can be between those that Kant describes as transcendental paralogism and his defense of the incorruptibility of the soul fails when the conditions of the objective use of the pure concepts of the understanding are fulfilled. Having articulated these discussions, we could clarify Mendelssohn’s sagacity and emphasize the accuracy of Kant’s objections, which are decisive in the historical development of psychology.(AU)