The legacy of Merleau-Ponty in brazilian psychology: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

This study presents a systematic literature review on the legacy of Maurice Merleau-Ponty in Brazilian psychology, aiming to understand how his phenomenological thought has influenced the field’s theoretical, methodological, and epistemological development. Based on the principles of phenomenology, the research identifies how Merleau-Ponty’s reflections on perception, embodiment, and intersubjectivity have been incorporated into Brazilian academic production, especially in studies that seek to overcome the Cartesian and positivist dichotomies between subject and object. The systematic review was conducted through the analysis of scientific articles, theses, and dissertations published in national databases, considering the recurrence, approaches, and contexts in which Merleau-Ponty’s ideas were mobilized. The findings indicate that his work has contributed significantly to the redefinition of psychological paradigms in Brazil, especially those that emphasize the lived experience, the body as the locus of meaning, and the relational dimension of human existence. Furthermore, the research highlights the continuity of Merleau-Ponty’s influence in contemporary studies, reaffirming the relevance of phenomenology as a critical and reflective path for understanding human experience within Brazilian psychology.