Embodied Prehensions
Feeling the World through Touch
by Jay McDaniel with help from Open AI
Introduction
Often, in teaching process philosophy and theology, I am asked how we experience what Whitehead calls "prehensions" in human life. A prehension is the act of feeling the presence of something else—whether consciously or unconsciously. It never exists in isolation; it is always a prehension of something—what Whitehead refers to as a datum. Prehensions of data are the glue of relational existence, binding the universe together. Actual entities prehend other actual entities, and through their feelings, the universe is held together as a web of interconnection.
Touch is more Fundamental than Sight
In trying to understand prehensions further, we might be tempted to think of prehensions primarily as visual experiences, as seeing other things with our eyes. However, Whitehead suggests that vision, as commonly understood, is often detached from its object in what he calls "presentational immediacy." It does not get at the relational depths of a prehensive experience. In contrast, a more fundamental form of prehending in human life, I suggest, is touch. As infants, our earliest prehensions of others come through touch, and perhaps also through sound, before vision develops as a dominant mode of perception. For many other animals, touch remains primary throughout life. It may be more fitting, then, to speak not of worldviews but of world-touches or world-feels —the internal memories we carry in our minds and bodies of where and how we have touched and been touched.
This page explores a process theology of touch, considering its significance as both a physical and metaphysical experience.
Causal Efficacy
My particular focus is on what Whitehead describes as "experience in the mode of causal efficacy"—a form of experience in which prehensions carry a vivid sense of being affected by what is encountered. In this mode, the data at issue—other actualities—are felt as causally influencing or causally affecting the concrescing subject.
Importantly, prehensions of this kind, and by implication touch, are not confined to bodily sensation. Touch is often considered a bodily experience—skin meeting skin, pressure against resistance. But in process philosophy, touch extends far beyond the tactile. Whitehead’s idea of causal efficacy suggests that every experience involves being affected by something beyond oneself. When we remember a moment of kindness, we are touched by it. When we sense the mood of a room, we are touched by its atmosphere. Even God, in Whitehead’s vision, is touched by the world—feeling every joy and sorrow, responding with tenderness. This broadens touch into a cosmic event: to be is to touch and to be touched.
Tactile Touch
Still. there is special and inescapable intensity to tactile touch - of which there are many kinds:: affectionate touch, comforting touch, functional touch (holding a tool), ritualistic touch, playful touch, exploratory touch, protective touch, dominant or controlling touch, violent touch, accidental touch, and digital or simulated touch. Each carries its own significance, shaping human interactions in ways that are deeply personal and culturally embedded. For the recipient, all forms of touch involve what Whitehead calls "experience in the mode of causal efficacy"—a felt sense of being directly affected by another, where other influences shape present emotions, perceptions, and responses. Whether gentle or forceful, welcome or unwelcome, physical or digital, touch leaves an imprint, influencing relationships, identity, and well-being.
Healthy Touch
Science and psychology further underscore the importance of healthy touch in human development, beginning in infancy. Skin-to-skin contact between newborns and caregivers regulates body temperature, stabilizes heart rates, and fosters secure attachment, laying the foundation for emotional resilience. Touch precedes sight and language, and in this sense is more fundamental. Throughout life, affectionate and comforting touch continues to play a crucial role in reducing stress, lowering cortisol levels, and stimulating the release of oxytocin, the hormone that strengthens social bonds and enhances trust.
The Absence of Touch
The absence of touch, however, can have profound consequences. Research links touch deprivation to increased anxiety, depression, and difficulties in forming close relationships. In extreme cases, such as orphanages where infants receive minimal physical contact, developmental delays and emotional withdrawal are well-documented outcomes. Conversely, therapeutic forms of touch, such as massage therapy, tactile stimulation for premature infants, and trauma-informed bodywork, demonstrate how intentional touch can promote healing and emotional regulation.
Digital Touch
In an increasingly digital world, new forms of touch-mediated interaction are emerging. Haptic feedback in technology, from virtual reality interfaces to wearable devices, seeks to replicate the sensation of physical touch, extending human connection beyond physical proximity. While digital touch cannot fully replace the depth of skin-to-skin contact, it raises new possibilities for communication, accessibility, and care, particularly for those who experience isolation.
Touch as Relationality
Touch is more than a biological necessity—it is a fundamental mode of relational experience that shapes how we connect with others and navigate the world. Whether physical or digital, touch carries meaning, evokes emotions, and influences the ongoing process of becoming. Understanding its complexity allows us to recognize its power in fostering trust, healing wounds, and deepening human connection.
Physicality Beyond the Body
Back, then, to Whitehead's idea of experience in the mode of causal efficacy. As noted above, this form of experience can be, but is not necessarily, tactile. The act of remembering something, and being affected by the memory, is an example of experience in the mode of causal efficacy, and sensing the moods of others in mind-to-mind connections is also a form of such experience.
Indeed, in Whitehead's philosophy, even the living whole of the universe, God, can be and is touched by the world. What Whitehead calls "the consequent nature of God" consists of physical feelings, physical prehensions, of the unfolding events of the universe, the experiences of all concrescing subjects. Here, as in memory and mind-to-mind connections, physicality is more than tactility. We can be physically touched, without our bodies being influenced.
Sacred Touch: The Mysticism of Contact
Many religious traditions regard touch as a sacred act. The laying on of hands in Christian healing, the anointing of the sick, the tactile experience of prayer beads in many traditions—each conveys presence, blessing, and transformation. In Buddhist practice, the subtle energy of touch can be seen in the silent exchange between teacher and student. Process theology suggests that all touch is relational, infused with meaning beyond mere physicality. A mysticism of touch recognizes each moment of connection as a lure toward deeper communion, where touching and being touched become ways of participating in the divine.
The Ethics of Touch: Power, Consent, and Vulnerability
Touch is not always benign. It can heal, but it can also control, dominate, and harm. The ethics of touch require us to recognize its power: who is touching whom, and under what circumstances? Societal norms, cultural conditioning, and individual experiences shape what is welcome or unwelcome. In a process-relational framework, respectful touch is about honoring the agency and experience of the other. In a world increasingly aware of boundaries and consent, cultivating a form of touch that is life-affirming rather than intrusive is essential. We can create spaces where people feel safe enough to be touched in ways that nourish rather than violate.
Touch and Creativity: The Aesthetics of Contact
Artists, musicians, and dancers engage the world through touch. A pianist feels the keys beneath their fingers, a sculptor molds clay, a dancer senses the ground beneath their feet. In each case, touch is a mode of knowing—a way of interacting with reality that is direct, intuitive, and improvisational. Whitehead’s notion of creative advance into novelty suggests that touch is not just reactive but generative. Each brushstroke, each movement, each pluck of a string is an act of becoming. Embracing creativity as a dance of touch allows us to engage with the world in an ongoing improvisation, where new possibilities emerge with every interaction.
The Touch of Absence: When Touch is Lost
Touch deprivation is a silent crisis. Research shows that infants in understaffed orphanages, deprived of physical contact, suffer severe developmental delays. Elderly individuals in nursing homes, isolated from affectionate touch, experience increased anxiety and depression. In prisons, solitary confinement deprives people of even incidental forms of touch, leading to profound psychological distress.
Whitehead’s philosophy reminds us that all experience is relational—when the most basic form of relationality, touch, is stripped away, suffering deepens. In a world where screens replace handshakes and virtual presence substitutes for physical closeness, we must remain mindful of the essential role that touch plays in human flourishing.
The Rise of Haptic Relationships
In a world increasingly mediated by technology, touch is being reimagined. Virtual reality gloves, haptic feedback in gaming, and touch-sensitive communication devices aim to simulate the tactile in digital spaces. Yet Whitehead suggests that experience is always more than just sensation; it carries emotional and relational weight. While digital touch can carry meaning, it remains distinct from the embodied experience of skin-to-skin connection. As we move further into an era of virtual presence, we must consider how relationships, intimacy, and human connection evolve alongside these technological developments, ensuring that the essence of touch is never lost.
The Universe as an Embrace
Touch is not only a human experience—it is woven into the very fabric of the cosmos. Gravity, for instance, is a kind of touch at a distance, holding celestial bodies in relational tension. The wind touching our skin, the warmth of the sun, the way water carves stone over millennia—all suggest that touch is more than a human phenomenon. In Whitehead’s cosmology, every entity in the universe prehends others, feeling their influence. Even God is in a perpetual act of being touched by creation. The universe is not a cold expanse of empty space but an unfolding embrace—an intricate web of interwoven contact, where everything touches and is touched.
Often, in teaching process philosophy and theology, I am asked how we experience what Whitehead calls "prehensions" in human life. A prehension is the act of feeling the presence of something else—whether consciously or unconsciously. It never exists in isolation; it is always a prehension of something—what Whitehead refers to as a datum. Prehensions of data are the glue of relational existence, binding the universe together. Actual entities prehend other actual entities, and through their feelings, the universe is held together as a web of interconnection.
Touch is more Fundamental than Sight
In trying to understand prehensions further, we might be tempted to think of prehensions primarily as visual experiences, as seeing other things with our eyes. However, Whitehead suggests that vision, as commonly understood, is often detached from its object in what he calls "presentational immediacy." It does not get at the relational depths of a prehensive experience. In contrast, a more fundamental form of prehending in human life, I suggest, is touch. As infants, our earliest prehensions of others come through touch, and perhaps also through sound, before vision develops as a dominant mode of perception. For many other animals, touch remains primary throughout life. It may be more fitting, then, to speak not of worldviews but of world-touches or world-feels —the internal memories we carry in our minds and bodies of where and how we have touched and been touched.
This page explores a process theology of touch, considering its significance as both a physical and metaphysical experience.
Causal Efficacy
My particular focus is on what Whitehead describes as "experience in the mode of causal efficacy"—a form of experience in which prehensions carry a vivid sense of being affected by what is encountered. In this mode, the data at issue—other actualities—are felt as causally influencing or causally affecting the concrescing subject.
Importantly, prehensions of this kind, and by implication touch, are not confined to bodily sensation. Touch is often considered a bodily experience—skin meeting skin, pressure against resistance. But in process philosophy, touch extends far beyond the tactile. Whitehead’s idea of causal efficacy suggests that every experience involves being affected by something beyond oneself. When we remember a moment of kindness, we are touched by it. When we sense the mood of a room, we are touched by its atmosphere. Even God, in Whitehead’s vision, is touched by the world—feeling every joy and sorrow, responding with tenderness. This broadens touch into a cosmic event: to be is to touch and to be touched.
Tactile Touch
Still. there is special and inescapable intensity to tactile touch - of which there are many kinds:: affectionate touch, comforting touch, functional touch (holding a tool), ritualistic touch, playful touch, exploratory touch, protective touch, dominant or controlling touch, violent touch, accidental touch, and digital or simulated touch. Each carries its own significance, shaping human interactions in ways that are deeply personal and culturally embedded. For the recipient, all forms of touch involve what Whitehead calls "experience in the mode of causal efficacy"—a felt sense of being directly affected by another, where other influences shape present emotions, perceptions, and responses. Whether gentle or forceful, welcome or unwelcome, physical or digital, touch leaves an imprint, influencing relationships, identity, and well-being.
Healthy Touch
Science and psychology further underscore the importance of healthy touch in human development, beginning in infancy. Skin-to-skin contact between newborns and caregivers regulates body temperature, stabilizes heart rates, and fosters secure attachment, laying the foundation for emotional resilience. Touch precedes sight and language, and in this sense is more fundamental. Throughout life, affectionate and comforting touch continues to play a crucial role in reducing stress, lowering cortisol levels, and stimulating the release of oxytocin, the hormone that strengthens social bonds and enhances trust.
The Absence of Touch
The absence of touch, however, can have profound consequences. Research links touch deprivation to increased anxiety, depression, and difficulties in forming close relationships. In extreme cases, such as orphanages where infants receive minimal physical contact, developmental delays and emotional withdrawal are well-documented outcomes. Conversely, therapeutic forms of touch, such as massage therapy, tactile stimulation for premature infants, and trauma-informed bodywork, demonstrate how intentional touch can promote healing and emotional regulation.
Digital Touch
In an increasingly digital world, new forms of touch-mediated interaction are emerging. Haptic feedback in technology, from virtual reality interfaces to wearable devices, seeks to replicate the sensation of physical touch, extending human connection beyond physical proximity. While digital touch cannot fully replace the depth of skin-to-skin contact, it raises new possibilities for communication, accessibility, and care, particularly for those who experience isolation.
Touch as Relationality
Touch is more than a biological necessity—it is a fundamental mode of relational experience that shapes how we connect with others and navigate the world. Whether physical or digital, touch carries meaning, evokes emotions, and influences the ongoing process of becoming. Understanding its complexity allows us to recognize its power in fostering trust, healing wounds, and deepening human connection.
Physicality Beyond the Body
Back, then, to Whitehead's idea of experience in the mode of causal efficacy. As noted above, this form of experience can be, but is not necessarily, tactile. The act of remembering something, and being affected by the memory, is an example of experience in the mode of causal efficacy, and sensing the moods of others in mind-to-mind connections is also a form of such experience.
Indeed, in Whitehead's philosophy, even the living whole of the universe, God, can be and is touched by the world. What Whitehead calls "the consequent nature of God" consists of physical feelings, physical prehensions, of the unfolding events of the universe, the experiences of all concrescing subjects. Here, as in memory and mind-to-mind connections, physicality is more than tactility. We can be physically touched, without our bodies being influenced.
Sacred Touch: The Mysticism of Contact
Many religious traditions regard touch as a sacred act. The laying on of hands in Christian healing, the anointing of the sick, the tactile experience of prayer beads in many traditions—each conveys presence, blessing, and transformation. In Buddhist practice, the subtle energy of touch can be seen in the silent exchange between teacher and student. Process theology suggests that all touch is relational, infused with meaning beyond mere physicality. A mysticism of touch recognizes each moment of connection as a lure toward deeper communion, where touching and being touched become ways of participating in the divine.
The Ethics of Touch: Power, Consent, and Vulnerability
Touch is not always benign. It can heal, but it can also control, dominate, and harm. The ethics of touch require us to recognize its power: who is touching whom, and under what circumstances? Societal norms, cultural conditioning, and individual experiences shape what is welcome or unwelcome. In a process-relational framework, respectful touch is about honoring the agency and experience of the other. In a world increasingly aware of boundaries and consent, cultivating a form of touch that is life-affirming rather than intrusive is essential. We can create spaces where people feel safe enough to be touched in ways that nourish rather than violate.
Touch and Creativity: The Aesthetics of Contact
Artists, musicians, and dancers engage the world through touch. A pianist feels the keys beneath their fingers, a sculptor molds clay, a dancer senses the ground beneath their feet. In each case, touch is a mode of knowing—a way of interacting with reality that is direct, intuitive, and improvisational. Whitehead’s notion of creative advance into novelty suggests that touch is not just reactive but generative. Each brushstroke, each movement, each pluck of a string is an act of becoming. Embracing creativity as a dance of touch allows us to engage with the world in an ongoing improvisation, where new possibilities emerge with every interaction.
The Touch of Absence: When Touch is Lost
Touch deprivation is a silent crisis. Research shows that infants in understaffed orphanages, deprived of physical contact, suffer severe developmental delays. Elderly individuals in nursing homes, isolated from affectionate touch, experience increased anxiety and depression. In prisons, solitary confinement deprives people of even incidental forms of touch, leading to profound psychological distress.
Whitehead’s philosophy reminds us that all experience is relational—when the most basic form of relationality, touch, is stripped away, suffering deepens. In a world where screens replace handshakes and virtual presence substitutes for physical closeness, we must remain mindful of the essential role that touch plays in human flourishing.
The Rise of Haptic Relationships
In a world increasingly mediated by technology, touch is being reimagined. Virtual reality gloves, haptic feedback in gaming, and touch-sensitive communication devices aim to simulate the tactile in digital spaces. Yet Whitehead suggests that experience is always more than just sensation; it carries emotional and relational weight. While digital touch can carry meaning, it remains distinct from the embodied experience of skin-to-skin connection. As we move further into an era of virtual presence, we must consider how relationships, intimacy, and human connection evolve alongside these technological developments, ensuring that the essence of touch is never lost.
The Universe as an Embrace
Touch is not only a human experience—it is woven into the very fabric of the cosmos. Gravity, for instance, is a kind of touch at a distance, holding celestial bodies in relational tension. The wind touching our skin, the warmth of the sun, the way water carves stone over millennia—all suggest that touch is more than a human phenomenon. In Whitehead’s cosmology, every entity in the universe prehends others, feeling their influence. Even God is in a perpetual act of being touched by creation. The universe is not a cold expanse of empty space but an unfolding embrace—an intricate web of interwoven contact, where everything touches and is touched.
Touch
Thinking Aloud BBC
"When, where, and who gets to touch and be touched, and who decides? How does touch bring us closer together or push us apart? These are urgent contemporary questions, but they have their origins in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Britain. Laurie Taylor talks to Simeon Koole, Senior Lecturer in Liberal Arts and History at the University of Bristol about his new study of the way in which the crowded city compelled new discussions about touch, as people crammed into subway cars, skirted criminals in London's dense fogs and visited tea shops, all the while negotiating the boundaries of personal space. How did these historical encounters shape and transform our understanding of physical contact into the present day?
Also, digital touch. Carey Jewitt Professor of Technology at the Institute of Education, London, explores the way technology is transforming our experience of touch. Touch matters. It is fundamental to how we know ourselves and each other, and it is central to how we communicate. So how will the the digital touch embedded in many technologies, from wearable devices and gaming hardware to tactile robots and future technologies, change our sense of connection with each other. What would it be like if we could hug or touch digitally across distance? How might we establish trust or protect our privacy and safety? How might radically different forms of touch impact our relationships and the future?"
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Also, digital touch. Carey Jewitt Professor of Technology at the Institute of Education, London, explores the way technology is transforming our experience of touch. Touch matters. It is fundamental to how we know ourselves and each other, and it is central to how we communicate. So how will the the digital touch embedded in many technologies, from wearable devices and gaming hardware to tactile robots and future technologies, change our sense of connection with each other. What would it be like if we could hug or touch digitally across distance? How might we establish trust or protect our privacy and safety? How might radically different forms of touch impact our relationships and the future?"
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Cultural Anthropology and Touch
Cultural anthropology reveals that touch is deeply shaped by social norms, traditions, and historical contexts, varying widely across cultures. While human biology predisposes us to need and respond to touch, its meanings and practices are learned through cultural conditioning. Some societies are highly tactile, where frequent physical contact is a sign of warmth and connection, while others emphasize personal space and view touch as more reserved or context-dependent. Anthropologists study how these differences reflect broader values, power structures, and social roles within a given culture.
One key area of anthropological research on touch involves the role of proxemics, a concept developed by Edward T. Hall, which studies how different cultures structure physical space and interaction. In high-contact cultures, such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean, and parts of Africa, touch is a common and expected part of communication, reinforcing social bonds. In contrast, low-contact cultures, such as those in Northern Europe and East Asia, tend to emphasize personal space and are more selective about physical contact, often using verbal or visual cues instead. These differences are not fixed but shift over time and in response to globalization, migration, and cross-cultural interaction.
Anthropologists also examine how touch is tied to gender, hierarchy, and power dynamics within societies. In many cultures, touch between individuals of different social statuses follows implicit or explicit rules, reinforcing structures of authority and deference. For example, formal handshakes may be expected in professional settings, while affectionate embraces may be reserved for family or close friends. In some patriarchal societies, gender norms dictate who may touch whom and in what contexts, with restrictions often placed on physical contact between men and women outside of familial or marital relationships. Ritualized forms of touch, such as greetings, religious ceremonies, or rites of passage, further illustrate how societies encode meaning into physical contact.
The study of touch also extends to healing practices and therapeutic traditions, where anthropologists explore how different cultures use physical contact for emotional and physical well-being. Many Indigenous and traditional healing systems incorporate touch-based practices such as massage, laying on of hands, or communal rituals that involve physical closeness to promote social harmony and restoration. In contrast, modern Western medicine has often distanced itself from touch, emphasizing clinical detachment and professionalism, though recent movements in holistic health and palliative care have sought to reintegrate compassionate touch into medical settings.
Anthropologists recognize that touch is not just an individual sensory experience but a social and cultural phenomenon that shapes identity, belonging, and relationships. As societies evolve, so do attitudes toward touch, influenced by technology, migration, and shifting social norms. While cultural differences in touch persist, anthropological research underscores that physical connection remains a fundamental aspect of human interaction, adapted and reinterpreted across different times and places.
One key area of anthropological research on touch involves the role of proxemics, a concept developed by Edward T. Hall, which studies how different cultures structure physical space and interaction. In high-contact cultures, such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean, and parts of Africa, touch is a common and expected part of communication, reinforcing social bonds. In contrast, low-contact cultures, such as those in Northern Europe and East Asia, tend to emphasize personal space and are more selective about physical contact, often using verbal or visual cues instead. These differences are not fixed but shift over time and in response to globalization, migration, and cross-cultural interaction.
Anthropologists also examine how touch is tied to gender, hierarchy, and power dynamics within societies. In many cultures, touch between individuals of different social statuses follows implicit or explicit rules, reinforcing structures of authority and deference. For example, formal handshakes may be expected in professional settings, while affectionate embraces may be reserved for family or close friends. In some patriarchal societies, gender norms dictate who may touch whom and in what contexts, with restrictions often placed on physical contact between men and women outside of familial or marital relationships. Ritualized forms of touch, such as greetings, religious ceremonies, or rites of passage, further illustrate how societies encode meaning into physical contact.
The study of touch also extends to healing practices and therapeutic traditions, where anthropologists explore how different cultures use physical contact for emotional and physical well-being. Many Indigenous and traditional healing systems incorporate touch-based practices such as massage, laying on of hands, or communal rituals that involve physical closeness to promote social harmony and restoration. In contrast, modern Western medicine has often distanced itself from touch, emphasizing clinical detachment and professionalism, though recent movements in holistic health and palliative care have sought to reintegrate compassionate touch into medical settings.
Anthropologists recognize that touch is not just an individual sensory experience but a social and cultural phenomenon that shapes identity, belonging, and relationships. As societies evolve, so do attitudes toward touch, influenced by technology, migration, and shifting social norms. While cultural differences in touch persist, anthropological research underscores that physical connection remains a fundamental aspect of human interaction, adapted and reinterpreted across different times and places.
Science and Touch
Science reveals that touch is fundamental to human development, emotional well-being, and social connection. It is not just a physical sensation but a complex, multi-layered experience that affects the brain, body, and emotions in profound ways. Research shows that from infancy to adulthood, touch plays a crucial role in shaping our interactions, health, and perception of the world.
From birth, touch is essential for neurological and emotional development. Studies have found that skin-to-skin contact, such as kangaroo care for premature babies, helps regulate body temperature, improve heart rate, and strengthen the parent-child bond. This type of touch stimulates the release of oxytocin, the "bonding hormone," which fosters trust and reduces stress. Children who receive affectionate touch in early life tend to develop stronger emotional resilience and healthier social relationships.
On a neurological level, touch is processed through specialized nerve fibers called C-tactile afferents, which respond specifically to slow, gentle touch. These signals travel to brain areas associated with emotion and social bonding, rather than just sensory perception. Touch can also modulate pain through the gate control theory, which explains why rubbing an injured area can help alleviate discomfort by interfering with pain signals traveling to the brain.
Socially, touch has been shown to lower stress and increase trust. Physical interactions such as hugging, hand-holding, or a reassuring pat on the back can reduce cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone, and promote feelings of safety. Even brief, friendly touches in social settings can increase cooperation and positive perception, making people more likely to engage in prosocial behavior.
The absence of touch, however, has significant consequences. Touch deprivation is linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and weakened immune function. People who experience chronic social isolation or lack of affectionate touch often suffer from increased stress, sleep disturbances, and even a shorter lifespan. While modern technology provides new ways to communicate, science continues to affirm that human touch is irreplaceable in fostering emotional and physical well-being.
From birth, touch is essential for neurological and emotional development. Studies have found that skin-to-skin contact, such as kangaroo care for premature babies, helps regulate body temperature, improve heart rate, and strengthen the parent-child bond. This type of touch stimulates the release of oxytocin, the "bonding hormone," which fosters trust and reduces stress. Children who receive affectionate touch in early life tend to develop stronger emotional resilience and healthier social relationships.
On a neurological level, touch is processed through specialized nerve fibers called C-tactile afferents, which respond specifically to slow, gentle touch. These signals travel to brain areas associated with emotion and social bonding, rather than just sensory perception. Touch can also modulate pain through the gate control theory, which explains why rubbing an injured area can help alleviate discomfort by interfering with pain signals traveling to the brain.
Socially, touch has been shown to lower stress and increase trust. Physical interactions such as hugging, hand-holding, or a reassuring pat on the back can reduce cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone, and promote feelings of safety. Even brief, friendly touches in social settings can increase cooperation and positive perception, making people more likely to engage in prosocial behavior.
The absence of touch, however, has significant consequences. Touch deprivation is linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and weakened immune function. People who experience chronic social isolation or lack of affectionate touch often suffer from increased stress, sleep disturbances, and even a shorter lifespan. While modern technology provides new ways to communicate, science continues to affirm that human touch is irreplaceable in fostering emotional and physical well-being.
Jesus and Touch
Jesus’ touch in the Gospels is often an act of healing, compassion, and transformation. He touches a man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-45), defying social norms to restore both his health and his place in the community. A woman suffering from a chronic hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34) reaches out to touch his cloak, believing in its healing power, and Jesus acknowledges her faith. He takes Jairus’ daughter by the hand and raises her from the dead (Mark 5:35-43), demonstrating his power over life itself. When healing a blind man (John 9:1-12), he makes mud with his own spit, smears it on the man's eyes, and instructs him to wash, emphasizing healing as a physical and participatory process. At the Last Supper, he kneels and washes his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17), a striking reversal of power and a lesson in humility. Even in his arrest, he touches and heals the severed ear of the high priest’s servant (Luke 22:47-51), showing mercy in a moment of violence. Each of these moments illustrates how Jesus’ touch was never incidental—it was always an invitation into wholeness, relationship, and faith.
Digital Touch
"Touch matters. It is fundamental to how we know ourselves and each other, and it is central to how we communicate. Digital touch is embedded in many technologies, from wearable devices and gaming hardware to tactile robots and future technologies. What would it be like if we could hug or touch digitally across distance? How might this shape our sense of connection? How might we establish trust or protect our privacy and safety?
Digital Touch is a timely and original book that addresses such questions. Offering a rich account of digital touch, the book introduces the key issues and debates, as well as the design and ethical challenges raised by digital touch. Using clear, accessible examples and creative scenarios, the book shows how touch – how we touch, as well as what, whom and when we touch – is being profoundly reshaped by our use of technologies. Above all, it highlights the importance of digital touch in our daily lives and how it will impact our relationships and way of life in the future.
The first work of its kind, Digital Touch is the go-to book for anyone wanting to get to grips with this crucial emerging topic, especially students and scholars of Digital Media and Communication Studies, Digital Humanities, Sensory Studies, and Science and Technology Studies.
Table of Contents
1. What is Digital Touch?
2. A Shifting Digital Touch Landscape
3. Discourses of Digital Touch
4. Remote Digital Touch: (Re)shaping a Sense of Connection
5. Evolving Touch Practices
6. Future Speculations on Digital Touch
7. Designing the Social Future of Digital Touch