Panel: TEACHING FAITH IN A DIGITAL WORLD: THE INTERSECTION OF TECHNOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION



862.2 - FORMATION OF MORAL SKILLS, CAPABILITIES, AND VIRTUES: EMPATHY AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

AUTHORS:
Žalec B. (University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Theology ~ Ljubljana ~ Slovenia)
Text:
The speaker addresses the topic of moral education in the digital age, focusing on the formation of moral skills, capabilities, and virtues, particularly those of a relational nature. At the center of the presentation is empathy, which holds fundamental ethical and religious significance. The discussion revolves around three main points: 1. A proper understanding of empathy and its connection to the body. 2. The importance of empathy for moral and religious education. 3. The deskilling and upskilling of empathy in the digital age and its integration and cultivation within the educational process. Religious education has a unique role in this context. By emphasizing relational virtues like compassion and understanding, it provides a framework for integrating empathy into moral formation. In a world where digital tools can both hinder and enhance empathetic capacities, religious education must adapt, leveraging technology thoughtfully while addressing its limitations. The discussion ultimately calls for an intentional approach to moral education in the digital age—one that bridges traditional values with modern tools to foster empathy as a cornerstone of ethical and spiritual growth.