Professor Li Ping, School of Philosophy, Zhengzhou University
The rapid and transformative evolution of AI technology is fundamentally reshaping humanity’s traditional foundations for existence and purpose. This shift has introduced a profound imbalance between mind and body, marked by a widespread sense of spiritual displacement—the mind finds no repose, the body no sanctuary, and the spirit no grounding. Beyond reinforcing institutional safeguarding and technical regulations, we must now place greater emphasis on the guiding role of refined culture in nurturing inner cultivation and moral sentiment. By revitalizing the soul, reinforcing the foundations of human existence, and safeguarding our spiritual home, culture offers a vital pathway for navigating the AI era—not merely as a necessity, but as an essential condition for the continuity of human civilization.
“Sentiment” forms the spiritual core of human purpose and stability. The harmonious balance of what traditional Chinese thought terms the “three treasures of life”—essence, energy, and spirit—is intrinsically linked to the cultivation of moral and aesthetic sensibility. Emotional turbulence easily disrupts this equilibrium. As an ancient saying notes, “In stillness, the spirit is preserved; in agitation, it vanishes.” This insight underscores that emotional steadiness is rooted in refined sensibility. In the AI era, the root of “spiritual restlessness” lies precisely in the erosion of meaning and the consequent loss of cultivated sensibility. Culture, therefore, fulfills a vital function by cultivating moral, aesthetic, and value-based sentiment—guiding humanity back to a place of spiritual dwelling.
First, we shall cultivate moral sentiment to reclaim human agency. Traditional Chinese ethics provide a rich resource for nurturing moral sentiment. Whether through Confucian “ren” (“benevolence”) which teaches “the benevolent love others,” Mohist “universal love” that affirms “love without distinction,” or Daoist reverence for life that honors its intrinsic dignity, these ethical traditions help us reaffirm in the AI age that we remain “subjects of moral will,” not “objects directed by AI.” Cultivating moral sentiment enables us to preserve “value rationality” amid the prevailing “instrumental rationality” of technology—holding fast to what makes us truly human.
Second, we shall develop aesthetic sensibility to preserve meaning in life. Aesthetic engagement extends beyond sensory pleasure to encompass the apprehension of life’s deeper value. In Chinese culture, aesthetic sensibility has long been intertwined with existential meaning: the flowing vitality of Chinese calligraphy celebrates the dynamism of life; the evocative depth of ink painting contemplates its expansive horizons; the lyrical fusion of scene and feeling in classical Chinese poetry gives voice to lived emotion. These aesthetic encounters provide spiritual anchor points in an age often marked by meaninglessness, sustaining the conviction that life retains beauty and significance.
Third, we shall foster value-based sentiment toward human–AI coexistence. The defining challenge of the AI era lies in forging a harmonious relationship between humans and intelligent systems—one that embraces technological progress without allowing it to dominate human purpose. The Chinese philosophical ethos of “each preserving its beauty, together achieving harmony” offers a resonant framework. Confucian thought on “the unity of all things” can inspire a vision of synergy among humans, AI, and nature; Daoist “following the way of nature” suggests adapting to technological currents without being subsumed by them; Mohist “esteeming the worthy” encourages leveraging human strengths alongside AI’s capabilities.
By nurturing inner resilience and refined sensibility through culture, we can restore order to the soul, so the mind may settle; solidify the grounds of human existence, so the body may find its place; and safeguard spiritual meaning, so the spirit remains unbroken.
Published on January 29