This year, the Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) celebrates its 57th anniversary with the theme “Philosophy and Religion in a Technologized World.” The theme reflects the Faculty’s commitment to contributing critical and reflective thought to address the complexities of the modern world.
“We live in a world saturated with technology, where every day we are surrounded by various forms of technological advancements. This theme invites us to pause and reflect on the roles philosophy and religion can play in a world increasingly dominated by technology,” said Dr. Rr. Siti Murtiningsih, S.S., M.Hum., Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, during the opening ceremony of the 57th Anniversary on Friday (17/5).
Murti explained that the term “technologized world” is a relatively new concept gaining traction among philosophy scholars to describe the current global phenomenon. Life has become so dependent on technology that even minor disruptions to small devices can significantly affect human activities.
This scenario becomes even more complex when discussing advanced technologies. “When future technologies materialize, our lives will never be the same. At this point, we must ask: where do philosophy and religion stand?” she remarked.
This dependency, she continued, raises concerns about human well-being in the future. While technology simplifies human activities, it also brings negative impacts, such as reduced critical thinking skills and mental resilience. “We need philosophy and religion as brakes to curb worldly ambitions in technological development and to help navigate a life overwhelmed by technology,” she added.
The opening ceremony featured a group exercise, a historical walk tracing the journey of the Faculty of Philosophy led by Dr. Heri Santoso, and a community-building event. The anniversary celebration was symbolically marked by the release of two doves.
In addition to faculty members, administrative staff, and students from the Faculty of Philosophy, the event also involved administrative staff from other faculties in the social and humanities cluster, including the Faculty of Psychology, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and Faculty of Law.
“Starting this morning, we will hold a series of activities to commemorate the anniversary, ranging from academic to non-academic events involving the Faculty of Philosophy community, alumni, and the general public,” explained the Chair of the 57th Anniversary Committee, Drs. Mustofa Anshori Lidinillah, M.Hum.
The 57th Anniversary activities include the Philosophy Essay Competition (PEC) and sports competitions starting in May, the Karawitan Festival and Nusantara Craft Bazaar in July, a peak anniversary celebration and Wayang performance in August, concluding with the 12th International Conference on Nusantara Philosophy (ICNP) and the 3rd National Symposium on Nusantara Philosophy (SNFN) planned for October.