author: Maksym Pedchenko
Urgency of the research. In today’s world, where technological progress and globalization contribute to the creation of an increasingly interconnected society, it is important to understand the axiological (value) bases that determine the behavior and interaction of individuals in a networked environment. Network society, or “network society”, as Manuel Castells calls it, represents a new stage in the development of social relations, where digital technologies and communication networks become the main structures for organizing social life.
Target setting. In the context of postmodernism, characterized by pluralism, decentralization of power, and relativism of values, there is a need to analyze transformational processes in the axiological sphere. The transformational processes of postmodernism are reflected in the erosion of traditional values and the emergence of new ones adapted to the digital age. In the network society, the emphasis shifts to such values as freedom of information, openness, collective creativity, and innovation. At the same time, the postmodern approach calls into question the objectivity and universality of any values, demanding their revision in the light of new social realities.
Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. V. Andrushchenko claims that from the second half of the 20th century, a new value paradigm began to take shape, which became a civilization-wide and later a planetary phenomenon. T. Kravchenko raises the question of spirituality in the modern world, emphasizing its possible changes under the influence of networks. M. Podlisny expresses concern that young people do not know the world without the Internet. C. Perez investigates the digital revolution’s impact on economic and social structures, analyzing new forms of organization that have appeared thanks to network technologies. K. Hyeon and Y. Jun critically analyze the impact of digital communication technologies on social and political change, mainly how they contribute to forming new collective identities and participation in social movements. D. Boyd and N. Ellison examine the impact of digital technologies on social relations and the dissemination of information in online networks. M. McLuhan and H. Innis put forward the concept of media ecology and its role in forming social and cultural structures.
The research objective. This article aims to explore how postmodern transformational processes affect the axiological foundations of networked society and how new values are formed and maintained in the digital environment.
The statement of basic materials. This study is devoted to analyzing the axiological foundations of the network society in the context of postmodern transformations. It analyzes how digital technologies and communication networks change traditional social structures and values, focusing attention on the phenomena of pluralism and relativism characteristic of postmodernism. It is emphasized that the network society forms new value priorities, such as freedom of information, openness, collective creativity, and innovation, which become the foundation of modern social interactions. The postmodern discourse questions the universality and objectivity of any values, calling for a need to review them in the light of new digital realities. An important aspect is the analysis of the processes of decentralization of power, which are manifested in the network society and allow individuals and groups to form new axiological guidelines actively. How modern technologies contribute to spreading the ideology of open access and knowledge sharing and changing approaches to creativity and innovation has been studied. Special attention is paid to ethical aspects in the digital environment, where privacy, security, and responsibility issues are becoming more and more relevant.
Conclusions. This study proposes a theoretical framework for understanding the complex interrelationships between technologies, social structures, and values, which is crucial for gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of modern transformational processes. The network society is not simply adapting to new conditions, but is actively shaping the future, where the values of openness, collective creativity, and innovation are becoming central. This future necessitates a constant review and transformation of value orientations to effectively respond to the challenges and opportunities that are emerging in the age of digital transformations.
Keywords: network society, axiology, postmodernism, digital technologies, social changes
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