ABSTRACT
This chapter elaborates on the previous discussion about the heterogeneous and diverse nature of actants delineated earlier. It concentrates on two different paths toward the autonomization of the self that mobilize different kinds of actants: one associated with the religious (Christian) world, and another linked to practices typically associated with the notion of “therapeutic culture.” Regarding the first path, the chapter concentrates on the therapeutic trajectories of women who belong to Pentecostal or Charismatic Catholic groups. As regards the second path toward autonomization analyzed here, the chapter looks at the appropriation of some concepts associated with popular Psychology and self-help, and the concomitant mobilization of thin(ner) actants. The chapter, therefore, analyzes both “enchanted” and “disenchanted” paths toward achieving autonomy.
