Spirituality and technology: Exploring the relationship
First Monday November 4, 1996 DOI: 10.5210/fm.v1i5.496 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 18 |
| Key points | Argues that technology carries competing spiritual meanings—it can be viewed as a degenerate practice or as a path toward higher consciousness or a more developed civilization—and that debates within and between schools of thought are shifting attitudes toward technology. The essay also examines emergent spiritual practices on the Internet itself. |
Abstract
This essay first looks at some of the social and cultural changes associated with the notion of a Digital Revolution, the result of the growth of the Internet and the emergence of 'cyberspace'. It then examines some basic 'spiritual' attitudes and how various debates within and between different schools of thought are changing attitudes about technology. Technology can be seen both as a degenerate practice and/or as a means to bring mankind to a higher level of consciousness or to a more well-developed civilization. Finally, the essay will discuss some of the emergent spiritual practices on the Internet itself.