Théoriciens et praticiens de la danse contemporaine recourent fréquemment à la philosophie de Merleau-Ponty. Pourtant ce philosophe n’a jamais pris la danse pour objet de pensée. Afin d’évaluer la pertinence et la fécondité et d’éclairer les modalités de cette paradoxale rencontre, cette recherche la met à l’épreuve de descriptions de pièces chorégraphiques dites contemporaines. Elle a abouti à la thèse suivante : non seulement la philosophie merleau-pontyenne constitue un étayage efficace pour penser la danse contemporaine mais cette confrontation s’avère également éclairante pour relire et comprendre les textes du phénoménologue. Ce travail a effectivement permis de mettre en exergue la fonction charnière de la notion merleau-pontyenne de porte-à-faux jusqu’ici peu remarquée et commentée. / Theorists and practitioners of contemporary dance frequently use the Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy. However, this philosopher has never used dance as an object of thought. In order to assess the relevance and the fertility, and to clarify the terms of this paradoxical encounter, this research examines descriptions of choreographic called contemporary. It has resulted in the following thesis: not only the Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy is an effective support to think contemporary dance but this confrontation is also illuminating for reading and understanding texts of the phenomenologist. This work has effectively highlighted the pivotal function of the Merleau-Ponty’s notion of the “porte-à-faux”, slightly noticed and commented on so far.

This thesis aims to present society of Universalia which first appears in era of the First republic and uses it's journal Logos in attempt to prove whether Universalia is society of alternative spirituality. Thesis is also interested in some authors of spiritual articles in this periodical and tries to describe impact of these authors on the community of Universalia. The introduction of this thesis describes society of Universalia and its purpose. Another chapter mentions many traditions which Universalia follows-up. Ensuing is the presentation of Logos journal, which serves as communication stream for its members and other societies. Focus point of the thesis lies in analysis of spiritual articles in Logos journal. Forty-two specific articles have been chosen to introduce its authors and try to derive from their contents, whether they aim to create comprehensive picture of spiritual live. The attachments bring some of to this day unpublished research instruments, such as complete bibliography of Logos journal or list of texts published by Universalia.