From the Golem to Freedom: A Study on Technology and Religion
Ebook
With a particular focus on social media, Gábor L. Ambrus explores how human beings relate to contemporary information technology. Ambrus argues that religious traditions – such as Judaism and Christianity, as well as secular philosophical thought inspired by religion – can be invoked to describe both the freedom and 'unfreedom' of the user of information technology.
To illustrate how individuals relate to technology in a restricted and totalitarian online environment, Ambrus adopts the figure and legend of the golem from Jewish mysticism. At the same time, his argument features other religious concepts and themes to describe an alternative to our present predicament of 'unfreedom', while not seeking to portray any 'redemption' outside the technological environment.
At the core of his argument, Ambrus presents the experience of nothingness as a source of freedom, opening up the possibility for a free relationship for us all with information technology.
An exposition of social media and online experience through the lenses of religion and theology.
Issues around the damaging aspects of social media and IT are currently popular
This book goes against the common-sense opinion that the increasing power of science and technology leads to the marginalisation of religion – against mantras like “more technology, less religion”. It offers the insight that, on the contrary, religion gains further relevance in a technological society
There are a number of ecclesiastical councils, commissions and institutions, operative in various churches, that have the challenges of social media, artificial intelligence, contemporary technology as their primary focus or one of their main foci
1. Techno-Religion
2. Totalitarianism
3. Mastery and Slavery
4. The Golem
5. The Vicissitudes of Attention
6. Self-Expression and the Struggle for Recognition
7. The Dialectic of Self-Expression
8. Transgression and Limitation
9. Nihilism and Nothingness
10. God's Nothingness
11.Vita Activa and the Will
12. Contemplation and Entertainment
13. The Doppelgänger
14. The Cyber-Kafkaesque
15. The Diagrams of the Ego
16. Freedom
Conclusion
Index
Bibliography
This is a rich philosophical discussion of the religious 'spell' of contemporary information technology that includes a powerful political analysis: as users of technology we are locked into a 'dialectic of unfreedom' with our golem slave technologies … Highly recommended reading for anyone willing to look further than the one-liners of tabloid AI ethics.
This is an important contribution to the field and a topical resource as we learn to cope with the massive challenges presented by social media and other forms on Internet-based technology.
In an age overflowing with information and deeply rooted in technology, the author courageously delves into the intricate ties between technology, religion, and the core of human existence. By closely scrutinizing the crossroads of technological breakthroughs and their role in our lives, this book provides readers with not just a mirror to our present situation, but also a deep journey into age-old wisdoms and their significance in our modern, tech-centric world.
- Title: From the Golem to Freedom: A Study on Technology and Religion
- Author: Gábor L. Ambrus
- Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781350361294, 9781350361270, 1350361275, 1350361291
- Resource ID: LLS:9781350361294
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-09T08:42:46Z
Gábor L. Ambrus is Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Charles University, Czech Republic