"ENTRE O DIVINO E O NARCISISMO: REFLEXÕES SOBRE RELIGIÃO, AMOR E DESAFIOS CONTEMPORÂNEOS"
"ENTRE O DIVINO E O NARCISISMO: REFLEXÕES SOBRE RELIGIÃO, AMOR E DESAFIOS CONTEMPORÂNEOS"
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.6942409053
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Palavras-chave: Narcisismo; Encontro; Amor; Gratuidade; Paradoxos.
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Keywords: Narcisism; Meeting; Love; Gratitude; Paradoxes.
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Abstract: The complex intersection between religion and narcissism reveals itself as a fertile field for understanding contemporary human dynamics. Christian philosopher Jean-Luc Marion challenges traditional conceptions by arguing that divine revelation occurs unconditionally and beyond any predictable logic. According to Marion, God gives without limits, inviting us to a personal and mysterious encounter with the divine. This view contrasts with the prevalent narcissistic perspective in today's society, where individuals are often guided by an incessant pursuit of self-affirmation, rampant consumerism, and immediate satisfaction. Pope Francis, adopting a pastoral approach, emphasizes the importance of God's mercy and unconditional love, manifested especially in forgiveness, compassion, and the pursuit of social justice. He calls on the faithful to be agents of this divine gratuitousness, extending it to others through gestures of generosity and solidarity. Religion, therefore, emerges as a call to promote a culture of encounter and welcome, challenging the narcissistic mindset that permeates contemporary society. Renowned psychoanalyst Christopher Lasch enters the discussion by analyzing narcissistic culture in modern society. He points to the emphasis on individuality and inflated self-esteem in consumerist society, resulting in superficial social relationships and an incessant pursuit of fleeting pleasures. Lasch's criticism highlights how narcissism weakens community bonds, compromising social solidarity and the formation of meaningful relationships. The following section explores the nuances of this issue, highlighting the influence of contemporary narcissism on human relationships, especially in the realm of love. Happiness, often pursued egocentrically, becomes the modern equivalent of salvation. The analysis of narcissism reveals the difficulty of building genuine bridges between the self and others, challenging Pope Francis's call for the construction of a "culture of encounter." The second part of the text delves into a deeper analysis, exploring the intersection between theology and psychoanalysis. It emphasizes the importance of subjectivity and listening in understanding the human condition, showing how externalization and aestheticization in postmodernity impact identity construction. The dialogue between theology and psychoanalysis emerges as a path to rescue the relational dimension, overcoming the polarization between interiority and exteriority. The reflection deepens the understanding of the body as a fundamental element in theological and psychoanalytic approaches. The forgetting of the body and the denial of affection are pointed out as generators of a paranoid and repressive spirituality. The emphasis on listening, proposed by Pope Francis, underscores the importance of recognizing the dimension of affection and situating the subject in their real dimensions, overcoming empty projections and rationalizations.
- René Dentz