Virtual reality and imagination - a possible ethical framework based on the thought of Gregory of Nazianzus

Ježek, Václav

doi:10.2478/ebce-2020-0017

Abstract

The present article discusses the thoughts of Gregory of Nazianzus in relation to virtual reality especially man-made virtual reality in all its forms. We argue that the benefits of virtual reality, such as freedom, imagination, creativity can be paradoxically curtailed by virtual reality itself, since it is highly subjective and as its medium shows, can be an a priori matrix and prison for the human being. Gregory of Nazianzus, building his theology on a firm basis on substance and contemplation, offers a way out, where one acknowledges everything around us as beneficial and beautiful and therefore free, but this must be based on a firm grounding of truthfulness and guidance offered by an all-encompassing form of Divine love and creativity.

References

BARBER, M. & PAPAIOANNOU S. et. al. (2017): Michael Psellos on literature and art: A Byzantine perspective on Aesthetics. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
BREY, P. (2011): Anticipatory technology for emerging IT. In: J. Mauger (ed.): CEPE 2011: Crossing boundaries. London: INSEIT, pp. 13–27.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
CLARK, E. A. (1992): The Origenist controversy: The cultural construction of an early Christian debate. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.10.1515/9781400863112
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
DAMASIO, A. (1994): Descartes᾽ error: Emotion, reason, and the human brain. New York: Penguin books.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
DE HARVEN, V. (2018): Rational impressions and the Stoic philosophy of Mind. In: J. Sisko (ed.): History of Philosophy of mind: Pre-Socratics to Augustine, vol. 1. London: Routledge, pp. 214–233.10.4324/9780429508219-12
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
FREESE, J. H. (1952): Aristotle: The art of rhetoric. London: Heinemann.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GILYAZOVA, O. (2019): The relationship between virtual and actual reality, phenomenological-ontological approach. In: Journal of History Culture and Art Research: Tarih Kültür ve Sanat Araştırmaları Dergisi, 8(1), pp. 196–204.10.7596/taksad.v8i1.1921
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GONCHARKO, O. Yu. & GONCHARKO, D. N. (2017): A Byzantine logicians “image” within the second iconoclastic controversy, Nikephoros of Constantinople. In: Scrinium, 13, pp. 291–308.10.1163/18177565-00131p20
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS (2011): Five Theological Orations, trans. S. Reynolds. London: Estate of Stephen Reynolds.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS (2001): On God and Man: The theological poetry of St. Gregory of Nazianzus, trans. P. Gilbert. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GRÉGOIRE DE NAZIANZE (1995): Oration 6, ed. M.-A. Calvet-Sebasti. Paris: Les éditions du cerf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GREGORY OF NAZIANZEN (1991): Faith gives fullness to reasoning: The five theological orations of Gregory of Nazianzen, ed. F. Norris, trans. L. Wickham & F. Williams. Leiden: Brill.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GRÉGOIRE DE NAZIANZE (1978): Discours 27–31, Discours Théologiques, ed. P. Gallay. Paris: Les éditions du cerf.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GREGORY OF NAZIANZEN (1894): Select Orations. In: P. Schaff & H. Wace (eds.): Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, vol. 7, trans. C. G. Brown & J. E. Swallow. New York: Christian Literature Company, pp. 203–434.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS (THEOLOGIAN) (1862): Gregorii Theologi- Γριγοριου του Θεολογου, Carmina. Liber I. Poemata Theologica, Sectio I. Poemata Dogmatica, Sectio II. Carmina Moralia, Liber II, Sectio I, Poemata De Seipso, In: Patrologiae Cursus Completus, J. P. Migne, 37, Paris.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
HEIBERG, J. L. (ed.) (1929): Anonymi Logica et Quadrivius, cum Scholiis Antiquis. København: L. Bogtrykkeri.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
LeCLERQ, J. (1960): The love for learning and the desire for god, trans. C. Misrahi. New York: Fordham University Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
METZINGER, T. K. (2018): Why is virtual reality interesting for philosophers? In: Frontiers in Robotics and AI. 13th September, 2018, [online] [Retrieved 19/08/2020] Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2018.00101,10.3389/frobt.2018.00101
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
MCGUCKIN, J. A. (2006): Gregory: The rhetorician as poet. In: J. Børtnes & T. Hägg (eds.): Gregory of Nazianzus: Images and reflections. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press, pp. 193–212.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
NORRIS, F. W. (2006): Gregory contemplating the beautiful: Knowing human misery and divine mystery through and being persuaded by images. In: J. Børtnes & T. Hägg (eds.): Gregory of Nazianzus: Images and Reflections. Copenhagen: Museum Tusculanum Press, pp. 19–37.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
PAPAIOANNOU, S. (2011): Michael Psellos on friendship and Love- erotic discourse in eleventh- century Constantinople: Early medieval Europe. Oxford: Blackwell.10.1111/j.1468-0254.2010.00311.x
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
PLANTINGA, A. (1980): Does God have a nature? Milwaukee: Marquette University Press.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
POINCARÉ, H. (1917): La Science et l, Hypothèse, [Science and hypothesis]. Paris: Bibliothéque de Philosophie Scientifique.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
REPETTO, C. & RIVA, G. (2011): From virtual reality to interreality, in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In: Neuropsychiatry, 1(1), pp. 31–43.10.2217/npy.11.5
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
RICOEUR, P. (2004): Memory, history, forgetting. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.10.7208/chicago/9780226713465.001.0001
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
WHITWORTH, B. (2007): The physical world as a virtual reality. In: CDMTS Research reports, [online] [Retrieved August 10, 2020] Available at: https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0801/0801.0337.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Virtual reality and imagination - a possible ethical framework based on the thought of Gregory of Nazianzus

Abstract

Paradigm

My account