Epistemological Renewal of the Human Sciences

This book provides a fresh and critical perspective on psychology by challenging its foundational assumptions through the lens of Cultural Psychology. Using a Brazilian metaphor of "peeling a pineapple" or descascar o abacaxi it unpacks the complexities of epistemological renewal in psychology—questioning taken-for-granted concepts, reconstructing theoretical frameworks, and emphasizing the role of culture in shaping human experiences. Inspired by a seminar course of the same title, this book explores four essential themes in psychology: Care and Education, Mental Health and Therapy, Self and Identity, and Relationships and Emotions. Each chapter revisits these areas from the ground up, highlighting their cultural underpinnings and questioning taken-for-granted assumptions. The book showcases discussions and reflections that emerged from classroom debates, emphasizing the importance of meaning-making and developmental perspectives in psychology. Epistemological renewal is at the heart of this book. It refers to the process of reevaluating, updating, and transforming the ways knowledge is produced, justified, and disseminated within psychology and the broader human sciences. By questioning dominant paradigms, integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, and engaging with diverse cultural practices, this volume challenges mainstream psychological approaches that often overlook meaning-making processes and the socio-cultural contexts of human development. Just as peeling a pineapple requires patience and precision to access its core, epistemological renewal demands intellectual curiosity, reflexivity, and a willingness to deconstruct established paradigms. By peeling back the layers of conventional psychological constructs, the authors expose the limitations of universalist assumptions and propose alternative pathways for knowledge production.