EXPLORING THE DIVINE IN THE DIGITAL: ONTOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON VIRTUAL REALITIES IN RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The primary aim of this research is to explore the ontology of digital cultures from a philosophical perspective, with a particular focus on how these ontologies intersect with religious experiences and beliefs in virtual realities. Theoretical commitments in digital ontology are diverse, ranging from mon categorical, which posits a singular, subdivisible category, to polycategorical, which rejects this simplicity. This study utilizes primary data analysis, employing the Smart PLS Algorithm model to examine the relationships between these ontological commitments and their manifestations in digital realms. Stratified ontologies, which assert the existence of foundational entities upon which all further entities depend, provide a framework for understanding how digital environments can serve as platforms for religious expression and identity formation. The research draws upon Aristotle’s fundamental ontological question—"being a being"—to discuss the essence of existence across both digital and physical realms. According to the Eleatic principle, this existence is singular and definitive, intimately linked to causation; indeed, to exist is to exert power. The findings reveal a direct and significant relationship between philosophical perspectives on virtual realities and the shaping of social identities, particularly within religious contexts. This connection underscores the potential of digital spaces to not only mimic but also extend religious practices and community interactions, thus opening new avenues for experiencing the divine. However, the study's focus on concrete entities within digital cultures limits its ability to fully engage with non-material religious experiences, such as transcendence and spirituality, often central to religious practice. Drawing from Berkeley, who famously asserted that to be is to be perceived, this research suggests a perception-based ontology in digital environments, raising profound implications for how the divine might be perceived and experienced in virtual spaces.