A crítica ao cientificismo na obra O Alienista (1882), de Machado de Assis

Abstract

The present study analyzes the critiques of scientism present in the work O Alienista (ASSIS, 2009) by Machado de Assis, contextualizing the short story within the social and cultural scenario of the 19th century, marked by the rise of science and the valorization of rationalism. Through the character of Dr. Simão Bacamarte, the narrative highlights the risks of a rigorous and excessive application of scientific knowledge when it disregards the subjective and social dimensions of individuals, resulting in control, exclusion, and arbitrariness. The research adopts a qualitative approach and is developed based on a bibliographic review, considering books, academic articles, and literary studies that discuss scientism and the social construction of madness. The investigation is guided by the following research question: what critiques of scientism does Machado de Assis present in O Alienista (2009), and what is the relationship of these critiques with the social and cultural context of the time? The general objective is to present the critiques of scientism in the story, while the specific objectives include highlighting the work’s connection to the rise of science in the 19th century, demonstrating the problems arising from the use of scientific discourse without considering subjective factors, and analyzing the ironic tone employed by the author. The results indicate that Machado de Assis’ narrative questions dogmatic rationalism and warns about the limits of science when used as an instrument of power, fostering reflections on ethics, humanity, and critical observation in the application of knowledge.