KLARA’S FAITH IN THE SUN: RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE (BASED ON KAZUO ISHIGURO’S FANTASY NOVEL “KLARA AND THE SUN”)

<jats:p>The purpose of this study is to reveal how Klara’s faith in the Sun in Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel functions as a religious practice in the digital age. The novelty of the research lies in applying theories of digital religion and simulacra to analyse the religious behaviour of an artificial intelligence. Drawing on concepts of digital religion and the philosophy of simulacra, the author emphasizes that the solar faith, although created by the protagonist, fills her life with meaning, helps her maintain empathy, endure pain, make decisions, and illustrates the emergence of new forms of individual spirituality in the digital age. As a result, reflection on such experience ultimately broadens the understanding of religion, demonstrates empathy in artificial intelligence, the rituals and prayers-petitions it performs, and indicates the importance of an interdisciplinary approach</jats:p>