Ethics and Aesthetics of the Instant in the Digital Age

In the constant flow of time, there is a moment that is always with us yet often eludes us: the present. This fleeting moment, this 'now' that is always here but impossible to retain, is the focus of this essay on the ethics and aesthetics of the present.Our experience of the world is inevitably rooted in the present moment, yet the nature of this 'now' is profoundly paradoxical. How can we conceive of an instant that is both eternal and ephemeral? How can we make ethical decisions or aesthetic judgments in a moment that seems to vanish the instant we try to grasp it?This book seeks to explore these questions from multiple perspectives, guided by the following working hypotheses:The perception of the present as an isolated moment is a skill that can be cultivated, with significant implications for our ethical and aesthetic judgments. The experience of the pure present is shaped by cultural and technological factors that influence our ability to perceive and value the moment.The ability to perceive the instant as eternal, while acknowledging the flow of time, can foster more reflective ethical considerations and a deeper aesthetic appreciation of reality.