Edith Stein: empatia e vida associativa

Main Article Content

Paulo de Matos Félix

Abstract

This article, before analyzing the theme of empathy in Edith Stein’s studies and


her contribution to the analysis of human aggregations, briefly presents the intellectual growth of Edith Stein, the contributions of various philosophers in her philosophical development until her reflection on empathy; as well as the force of having been “reached by Christ” and the influence of the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, which led to her conversion to Catholicism. For Edith Stein, empathy is what allows one to realize the other, to enter into relationship with the subject (without reducing or disregarding him as a person). Through empathy, one can enter into the experience of the other, identifying their values and attitudes, valuing alterity, without falling into indifference. In analyzing the main forms of human aggregation (community, mass, society, state), Stein finds that the community is the associative form that most respects the individuality and dignity of each person, since it is based on the exchange of gifts (possible by empathic experience) and accessibility (solidarity) of each individual composing it. In opposition, in the other social forms some personal factor will be reduced, manipulated or disregarded to maintain the internal structure of this social form. For Stein, since man is a personal and communitarian being since his genesis, he needs growth in empathic experience and solidarity, not to be diluted or sold to social experiences that deprive him of his value but allow him to grow always more, as a person.

Article Details

How to Cite
de Matos Félix, P. (2019). Edith Stein: empatia e vida associativa. Brasiliensis, 8(15), 111-138. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8128399
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Author Biography

Paulo de Matos Félix, Centro de estudos Redemptoris Mater, Brasília

Doutorando em Filosofia pela Pontificia Università Lateranense de Roma. Mestre em Filosofia pela Pontificia Università Gregoriana de Roma. Professor de Filosofia no Centro de Estudos FilosóficoTeológicos Redemptoris Mater de Brasília. Reitor do Seminário Missionário Arquidiocesano Redemptoris Mater de Brasília.

How to Cite

de Matos Félix, P. (2019). Edith Stein: empatia e vida associativa. Brasiliensis, 8(15), 111-138. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8128399