Writing in The New Criterion, Wilfred McClay recently offered the following as a definition of the study of the humanities: “The distinctive task of the humanities, unlike the natural sciences and social sciences, is to grasp human things in human terms, without converting or reducing or translating them into something else…..Hence it will become necessary for the humanities to defend ‘the human’, taking their bearings from the problems and prospects now opening before us in the realms of biotechnologies and medicine.”
And the problems and prospects now opening before us in the blooming world of artificial intelligence (AI) are like none we have ever faced before because they involve the growing capability for man to transform his very nature. Meanwhile, the perceived value of the study of the arts and humanities has been consistently downgraded over the past several decades because of its declining relevance to the commercial world. Do I sense an opportunity here in defending ‘the human’? Could it be that there will be a booming demand for a restoration of this value that will revive the critical role of the arts and humanities?
I say ‘maybe’, but only after we clean up the junk in higher education, which will be no small task. What do you think?
Jim,
Because I am an optimist at heart I believe there is and always has been a hunger for human understanding, including the understanding of humanity itself. The logic of AI is efficient, but it is also cold, devoid of human emotion. As Jefferson described it, “The world would be a desert for our love.”
Colleges such as Hillsdale fill that void abundantly already but we need more Hillsdales.
Many more Hillsdales are needed, but the numbers don’t work without winning back the flagship universities.
Hopefully, you are right and the humanities will take more center stage again and education at all levels will play a part. In fact, it seems the education piece to that problem is more critical than the AI itself (to the extent I understand it) in that what/how we educate ourselves will determine what AI becomes. These educators especially in universities are changing our culture and values when it comes to appreciation of religious beliefs, civil conduct and discourse, gender identification, capitalism, etc. etc. If we had a solid foundation of beliefs (like we used to) managing AI and other issues would be much easier. These schools definitely showed their colors with the Hamas attack. I guess change will come from the parents if it happens and will take quite a while.
AI can never receive the revelation of GOD, which He reserves for those He created in His image.
Good point, Ann, and AI will never replicate God-given human consciousness.
Me Thinks==we think too much anddon’t have faith enogh.