O Rio da Alma - contribuições do simbolismo religioso e da psicologia analítica para uma reflexão sobre a crise ecológica no rio Tietê: uma proposta da ecologia arquetípica

Abstract

This dissertation has as its objective to propose a theoretical referential of the religion sciences and the analytical psychology for studying the cultural - economical development impasse in the extent of the ecological crisis in the Tietê river, in São Paulo. This crisis took on alarming proportions in the second half of the XX century, when the river pollution reached the extension ofthree hundred and fifty kilometres and the low water quality has caused contagious diseases, disabling its use even for the electric power generation. Our hypothesis is (1) that the causes of the ecological crisis in the river Tietê isn't only in the material and objective dimension, but also has to do with the estrangement of man's relationship with the symbolic and the sacred. And that, therefore, (2) the resolution ofthis crisis should aiso include human subjectivity. To verify these hypotheses, we used theoretical and historical research of the ecological crisis in the river, as well as the religious symbolism of thé river water, and the imaginary links between the citizens from São Paulo and the river along with the history ofthe city. It also raised the current strategies that have been used tomanage the crisis. The theoretical referential that permeates the dissertation is an interface of the concept of symbolism of Ernst Cassirer's, Mircea Eliade and Carl G. Jung works. We concluded that the causes of the ecological crisis in Tietê are linked with the loss of meaning of the symbolism of the water and ofthe river, and that the strategies, to work with the same should include the cultural dimension, spiritual and psychic. It should be understood that it's necessary to consider the integration between objectivity and subjectivity, also cultural and economical development, to consider the mentioned crisis, in arder to work out proposals looking to reverse-revitalize the symbol of the river and the water, putting an end to the ecological crisis in the Tietê river