Globalization as a Source of New Cultural Challenges

The article deals with the problems that confront modern society owing to globalization in culture and interpersonal communication. The digital revolution in the modern world causes great changes, not only in various spheres of human activities, but also in the domain of spirit, and society has to meet new cultural imperatives. In this context, the author writes about civilizational shifts that demand greater than ever consistency between economics, politics and culture. The notion of innovation does not only belong to the economic field, as innovative activity also affects human mentality. Social relationships become a field of warfare through exchange of information and opinions. The author is guided by philosophical-anthropological approaches to interpretation of human nature and, following Bergson’s philosophy, she makes a distinction between intellect and spirit, which is significant for pedagogy. Knowledge should be accompanied by enhancement of the creative and spiritual potential. Thus, the interests of the digital industry (increasing the number of users by facilitating work techniques, by attractive games and entertainment, improving performance, and creating the effect of emotional release) do not coincide with the interests of either social culture or ethics of public life (expanding intellectual cooperation, building mutual understanding, developing collective intelligence, promoting access to education and demand for new knowledge). The concept of human rights, which initially assumed the supremacy of universal values in every person, cannot be reduced to the ethics of comfort. The author concludes that it is only through personal development that human beings can solve actual problems of their existence.

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