Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.4, 2024

 

Why Literature Matters in the Age of Technology

(Abstract)

 

Mark W. Roche, translated by Tan Jiayu

 

As we enter the 21st century, with the rapid development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the value and significance of literature faces serious challenges. Literature, with its intrinsic charm that transcends material interests, guides people on a journey to the depths of their souls, allowing them to experience selflessness and purity. Literary classics, in particular, can transcend the boundaries of time and space, offering contemporary readers a critical lens and a rich, culturally diverse perspective. While AI tools like ChatGPT have shown impressive abilities in literary analysis, they fall short in fully grasping the nuances of complex emotions and conveying the unique voice of human nature, and cannot yet completely replicate the profound understanding of human beings.