Humanity in the digital age

Abstract

The primary objectives of this research were to examine the contemporary state of digita­lization on a global scale, assess its influence on human consciousness, and analyze the pat­terns of human perception regarding technology and associated innovations. The investiga­tion explored the repercussions of digital technologies on societal structures, economic systems, and the personal lives of individuals. Emphasis was placed on the utilization of so­cial networks for the generation of digital user profiles and the manipulation of behavior within both tangible and virtual realms. Methodologically, the study engaged in the analysis of factual, historical, and statistical data, drawing parallels between developments in the dig­ital and technological domains and various religious, mystical, and alchemical doctrines, en­compassing general eschatology, Pythagoreanism, and the teachings of microcosm and macrocosm. The philosophical dimensions of digitalization were scrutinized through the lens of the philosophies of I. Kant and M. Bakunin, underscoring the perils of commodi­fication and the absence of a distinct perception of digital activities. This research accen­tuated the paradigm shift instigated by the digital revolution, characterized by the normaliza­tion of computer literacy and the substitution of desktop computers with mobile devices. Moreover, the study probed the detrimental aspects of digitalization, highlighting the esca­lated prevalence of depression and suicide among adolescents, concerns surrounding pri­vacy, and the harvesting of personal data by corporate and governmental entities. The inves­tigation further delineated the prospective trajectory of artificial intelligence and its ramifications for human consciousness and existence, prompting inquiries into the essence of consciousness and its potential replication. Drawing upon recent scholarly works, it was revealed that AI developers frequently grapple with a limited understanding of the decision-making processes employed by their systems, engendering questions concerning the na­ture of consciousness and its potential modeling. The study culminated in a contemplation of the feasibility of forging symbiotic forms of consciousness, entailing a fusion of human and mechanical cognitive faculties. Ultimately, the research demonstrated that, notwith­standing the evolving nature of human existence, its anthropological core remains stead­fastly immutable.