Art and Psychology in Vergílio Ferreira

Abstract

In this article, we select the thoughts that Vergílio Ferreira had about Psychology, especially in his essay work, with a particular focus, but not exclusively, in his first book of essays, from 1957, Do Mundo Original. From his critical view on this science, we will try to reveal how, some decades later, the third wave of behavioral and cognitive therapies make similar criticisms and try to respond to these. Finally, we will also try to show the multiple points of contact between some of those therapies, namely with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness based therapies, and the idea of experiencing Art, defended by Vergílio Ferreira as an alternative to the psychological vision of the human being, aiming at his full realization.