Phenomenology and social representations as a research method for the theological understanding of spirituality

Abstract

Phenomenology is configured as a research method within the framework of theological research. It is also thought of as an epistemological perspective when the intentionality of an inquiry is linked to the social representations that underlie a given context, since its determination from the interactions, stories, understandings and practices of the subjects enable a deep understanding of the problem being addressed. This is added when the delimitation exercise focuses on the question of human spirituality, since it is possible to understand it as a human phenomenon evident in the daily life world as well as a place of interest for theological analysis. Hence, this article aims to show the links between phenomenology and social representations as a research method in theology for the deep understanding of the projects of this field of knowledge linked to spirituality. The resulting scope of this is the presentation of the correlation of these conceptual categories as a contribution to the investigative processes from theological knowledge. The results represent the theoretical triangulation of several research projects addressed by the authors where the central categories exposed were their place of inquiry, in such a way that a prospective methodological exposition is achieved in the end to support researchers in related areas. A possible route based on awareness, openness to the phenomenon, inquiry through the senses and praxis is concluded.