The Soul in Cyberspace [Paperback]

Douglas R. Groothuis (Author), Douglas Groothuis (Contributor, Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 1999

This book evaluates the emerging technologies of cyberspace in relation to their effects on our society and souls, and deals especially with the potential pitfall of becoming informationally rich but spiritually deprived.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (February 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579102298
• ISBN-13: 978-1579102296
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a philosopher who serves as Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary and as an Affiliate Faculty at Metropolitan State College of Denver. I have authored two dozen academic papers published in journals such as Religious Studies, Inquiry, Sophia, Philosophia Christi, Think, and Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. I have also published dozens of articles in magazines such as Christianity Today, Books and Culture, The Christian Research Journal, and many others.

I am the author of eleven books:

1. Unmasking the New Age (InterVarsity Press, 1986)
2. Confronting the New Age (InterVarsity Press, 1988)
3. Revealing the New Age Jesus (InterVarsity Press, 1990)
4. Christianity That Counts (Baker Books, 1994)
5. Deceived by the Light (Harvest House, 1995)
6. Jesus in an Age of Controversy (Harvest House, 1996)
7. The Soul in Cyberspace (Baker Books, 1997)
8. Truth Decay (InterVarsity Press, 2000)
9. On Jesus (Wadsworth, 2003)
10. On Pascal (Wadsworth, 2003)
11. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (InterVarsity Press, 2011)

I also co-edited the volume, In Defense of Natural Theology: A Post-Humean Assessment (InterVarsity Press, 2005) with James Sennett.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Groothuis offers a thought provoking look at the Internet., July 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Soul in Cyberspace (Paperback)

In our desire for having more information available to us immediately, we have jumped on the Internet bandwagon without taking time to evaluate it. Groothuis, a professor of philosophy, offers an excellent and insightful look at the world of cyberspace. Drawing from the philosophy of Pascal, the Bible, and other material, he examines the nature of leisure and its implications related to the Internet and associated technologies.

He is critical of the hypertext concept and argues that the ability to instantly jump from document to document is not necessarily a good thing. We end up seeing so much information in so many different contexts that it no longer is a learning process, but simply an exercise in clicking and skimming.

Among the specific issues Groothuis examines include the impact of "cybersex"; video games; chat rooms; e-mail; online distance education; and the nature of leisure. Unlike many Internet books which are obsolete before they even go to print, this book will leave you thinking about technology and how you use the Internet.

Groothuis is far from being anti-technology. After all, he admits to writing his book on computer and he maintains his own web site. His emphasis is more on the philosophical implications of technology and how we can think critically about it. He's concerned that online activities (MUDs, for example) and personas (such as Avatars) are getting in the way of real life. As a result, he argues, we are losing a sense of community and face to face interaction. When online, people tend to be bolder - they send "flame" e-mail and say things they would never say to someone in person. They can also pretend to be someone they are not. Groothuis does not condemn leisure activities, but challenges the reader to return to reality.

He also questions the perpetual increase and advances in personal computer technology and how they can negatively affect people. A desire to have the latest technological toy or upgrade to whatever piece of hardware is the latest rage, is not healthy, he argues.

If you're open to thoughtful criticism and evaluation of the Internet, this is a great book to read. If anything, it will make you look at the Internet and technology through philosophical eyes.