PHILOSOPHICAL MEANING OF THE EARLIER DISCUSSIONS ON MIND AND BODY RELATIONSHIP IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Our aim is to point out the philosophical meaning in Brazil of the earlier discussions about the nature of Scientific Psychology. Therefore, we will work in particular with texts of two authors, Gonçalves de Magalhães and Tobias Barreto. Our interest it to demonstrate in what sense these philosophers were able to offer opposition to a current positive trend in Psychology and the same time, overcome the contemplative character of self-consciousness inherent in Psychology under the aegis of the Jesuits, in view of need for philosophical modernization in Brazil. At the same time, we intend to show that, despite the criticism of Tobias to Magalhães, both know recognize the significance of the naturalism in Psychology, especially with regard to the task of entering the Brazilian thought in the course of Western Philosophy.