A prophetic analysis of technology and its impact on human spirituality

This book focuses on how the pontiff identified the challenges that the “technological mindset” presents for culture, spirituality and ethicsoffering a Thoughtful guide to the dangers and potential of technology in today’s world.

The work contextualizes the reflection of Pius XII in an era marked by rapid technological advances and global conflicts, where the use of technology acquired a central role both in daily life and in the military and economic sphere. From the beginning of his pontificate in 1939, Pius XII observed how these developments could alter human life, promoting a technocentric vision which, if not guided by ethical and spiritual values, ran the risk of becoming dehumanizing. Follegati’s analysis exposes how technology became a relevant topic in the Social Doctrine of the Church during the 20th centurydriven largely by the the pontiff’s concern about the effects of the technical mentality and its anthropological and ethical implications.

Therefore, the exploration of how Pius XII linked this technological mentality with a kind of “practical atheism”in which overreliance on technique leads to ignore or underestimate the role of God and religion in human life. For Pius XII, technology, although useful and necessary, must be subordinated to higher spiritual valuesOtherwise, it becomes an obstacle to spiritual life and the search for the transcendental meaning of existence.

On the other hand, one of Follegati’s most notable contributions is the connection established between the teachings of Pius XII and contemporary challenges. The work shows how the pontiff’s vision not only responded to its historical context, but also anticipated the dilemmas posed by the digital age and artificial intelligence. The author highlights the validity of Pius XII’s message in relation to the “technocratic paradigm” criticized by Pope Francis in the encyclical ‘Laudato si’. This parallel reveals that Pius XII’s reflections on technology and its dehumanizing effects remain relevant today, inviting society to reconsider the values ​​and principles that should guide technological development.

‘Pius XII and the technological mentality: Teachings for a new era’ is a work that not only explores the pontiff’s thought, but also offers a profound and timely criticism on the influence of technology on humanity. Follegati rescues the prophetic dimension of the teachings of Pius XII, who warned about the risk of a society governed by technical efficiency and the loss of spiritualityinviting readers to reflect on the role of technology in a context of ethical and transcendental values.

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‘Pius XII and the technological mentality. Teachings for a new era’

Author: Pablo Follegati Tefarikis

Publisher: Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, SA (EUNSA)

Edition year: 2024

Available in EUNSA

Available in unebook