Digital Recreation and Artificial Leisure: A Philosophical Inquiry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.%2017238929Keywords:
Digital Recreation, Artificial Leisure, Philosophy of Leisure, Ethics, Existential PerspectiveAbstract
The pervasive integration of digital technologies into everyday life has profoundly transformed the nature of leisure. While traditional recreational activities are centered on physical spaces and face-to-face interactions, digital recreation offers individuals new leisure experiences through video games, social media, mobile applications, and virtual or mixed reality environments. This transformation not only alters how time is spent but also prompts reflection on the meaning, value, and ethical dimensions of leisure. The concept of artificial leisure refers to engagement in digitally produced activities that provide satisfaction independent of real-world experiences. This study explores the philosophical foundations, existential perspectives, and ethical frameworks of digital recreation through a narrative review of the literature. English and Turkish studies published between 2000 and 2025 were examined, using databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Key search terms included “digital recreation,” “artificial leisure,” “digital leisure,” and “psychological well-being.” Out of an initial 185 studies, 32 articles meeting inclusion criteria were selected and classified under psychological and social perspectives. The findings reveal that digital leisure impacts psychological well-being, loneliness, social connections, and societal participation in both positive and negative ways. Controlled engagement can foster creativity and social interaction, whereas excessive digital involvement poses risks such as addiction, poor time management, physical inactivity, and individual alienation. The article emphasizes the need to balance the opportunities offered by digital recreation with its ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, evaluating digital leisure experiences from both individual and societal perspectives provides valuable insights for future research and policy development. Philosophical and ethical discussions surrounding artificial leisure are critical for understanding the evolving nature of recreation in modern society.
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