Spirituality and Technology: A Threefold Philosophical Reflection

Abstract

Despite the prominent role that technology plays in twenty‐first‐century societies, the intersections between spirituality and technology have been poorly analyzed. This article develops a cross‐reflection between these two key anthropological aspects, using a philosophical approach that structures the analysis along three classical categories: transcendence, immanence, and relationality. Drawing from ideas of philosophers, such as Heidegger and Merleau‐Ponty, the article sheds light on problematic aspects of technology that spirituality helps identify and for which it suggests solutions. Symmetrically, the analysis shows commonly inadvertent aspects of spirituality that technology brings to the fore. All in all, spirituality appears as an essential dimension to cultivate in technological societies, while technology might reveal spirituality as richer and deeper than has been apparent in traditional settings.

Perspectives on Organ Donation and the Relationship Between Spiritual Beliefs and Willingness to Donate: a Cross-sectional Study of Nigerian Medical and Allied Health Students

“…Spirituality has been de ned as an "individual's perception of life within the context of culture and value system of the society concerning the individual's goals, expectations, standards, and concerns" [13]. Spirituality which has been regarded as the 4th dimension of health and well-being [13] is one of the core factors in uencing decision-making [5] and remains a complex term that is di cult to precisely de ne and measure [14,15]. However, it is accepted that spirituality involves a relationship with a higher reality that functions as the source of one's meaning in life experienced through certain religious traditions, culture, belief systems, mediation or nature [14,16].…”

“…However, it is accepted that spirituality involves a relationship with a higher reality that functions as the source of one's meaning in life experienced through certain religious traditions, culture, belief systems, mediation or nature [14,16]. It is a complex construct that represents man's search for meaning in life, for a personalized relationship with transcendent realities and for interconnection with humanity that may or may not directly acknowledge the existence of God [15][16][17].…”