The National Congress split between “mythos” and “logos”: religion and systemic corruption in the brazilian political scenario

Abstract

Religion, in its origin, arises to explain the transcendent, the mythos; while science deals with truths, therefore, the logos. Because of this function, religion played an important role in the construction of societies, with a very extensive field of activity. Since Modernity, there has been a gradual loss of relevance given to the Church, undermining its influence over different social systems. In Brazil, within the discourse of Brazilian public institutions, more specifically, in the political system, religion still occupies a privileged space. Within this old problem, the corruption of the systemic code persists, with its fragility and loss of credibility in organizations. The big question that needs answers is: is it possible to guarantee a political filter that breaks with the systemic corruption perpetrated within the framework of Brazilian political organizations? This article aims at explaining this social problem, from the perspective of Niklas Luhmann’s systems theory, in order to reconstruct the social role of religion, taking as a paradigm the short story El Aleph by Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges. Likewise, it aims at reflecting on the secularizing movement, identifying the risks related to the systemic corruption of politics and, finally, pointing out the role of religion in contemporary times. As a result, it is noted that systemic corruption undermines democracy, and that process must be reversed.

Keywords

• Niklas Luhmann
• secularização
• religião e política.