EDITH STEIN E LEVINAS: UM DIÁLOGO POSSÍVEL COM A ABORDAGEM CENTRADA NA PESSOA?

Abstract

The Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) is an approach that was created by Carl Rogers in the 1940s in the United States. This approach holds as its main focus the interpersonal relationship created between the psychologist and the client, through which it will be possible to facilitate the client's movement towards a more individual, more fulfilled Self. Rogers and Kinget highlight genuine actions, which avoids methods and tools and focuses on creating a comfortable environment for the client where they are free to explore their experiences honestly. Such an environment is created through facilitating attitudes such as: authenticity, positive regard and empathy. Such facilitating attitudes refer to two relevant concepts: alterity and empathy. The present work therefore aims to explore empathy as understood by Edith Stein, investigate alterity according to Levinas and, finally, thematize these understandings in PCT. In the end, it is observed that, despite being similar, the notions of alterity and empathy differ on several points from their counterparts of the facilitating attitude. However, the concepts often do not directly contradict each other, they just point to a different understanding of the intersubjective relationship. Therefore, a reflection on these terms has great potential for considering and advancing studies on the psychotherapeutic relationship.