Keywords
contemporary minimalism
digital age
simple living
consumerism
philosophy of lifestyle
How to Cite
Abstract
This article explores the reexamination of Tolstoyanism's philosophy of “simple life” in the digital age and its intrinsic connection with contemporary minimalism from the perspectives of philosophy and sociology, through literature review and qualitative case study. The article first reviews the relevant literature on Tolstoyanism and minimalism in the past five years, revealing the common values and differences between the two in terms of anti-consumption, abstinence and the pursuit of inner fulfillment; then, through the case studies of digital minimalism advocates (e.g., Cal Newport) and Tolstoyan practitioners (e.g., Mark Boyle), the article demonstrates the diversified practices of the philosophy of plain living and the real-life tensions they face in different socio-cultural contexts. diverse practices and the real-life tensions they face. The study shows that although Tolstoyanism and minimalism have their own focuses in terms of motivation, mode of practice, and strength of social critique, they are complementary in coping with information overload and consumerist encroachment in the digital age, and offer possible paths to constructing a healthier and more meaningful way of life. The article concludes with a discussion of the limitations of current practice and directions for future research in cross-cultural comparison, longitudinal tracing, and institutionalized support.
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Copyright (c) 2025 RONGQI ZHANG, YuJia Wan (Author)