Language has been the quantum leap in human development and is the most important medium when it comes to communicating with each other. These days, you can read many times about the decline of common language due to the advent of emojis and anglicisms – especially in social media. But the mixture of image and text also contains something valuable. On the other hand, other technical developments, including artificial intelligence (AI), also have an influence on our understanding of morality, as expressed on Monday evening during the “Wiener Zeitung” discussion series ” Digital Humanism” at the Vienna City Library.

The philosopher Elisabeth Nemeth of the University of Vienna, also vice-president of the Austrian society Ludwig Wittgenstein, referred to this important philosopher. In 1938, Wittgenstein said in a lecture that if he were a good draughtsman, he would make countless expressions in four strokes. Because words like pompous, pompous or majestic could best be expressed through faces. By doing so, our descriptions would become more varied than can be expressed in adjectives, Nemeth said, quoting the great scientist. And to add: “Since I have grandchildren, I love emojis.”

The mixture of languages

The writer and essayist Franz Schuh also takes a relaxed view of the use of images. “If you’re making kids happy with emojis, that’s the right approach.” But you don’t have anything in the picture except facts that you wouldn’t otherwise understand, “that’s bad.” Nemeth pointed out that this move towards the mixing of languages ​​is also important from a sociological point of view. It brings together cultures, but also people from groups with different levels of education. Although “I’m not saying you should idealize it, because I know how hard it is in college when students can’t write a straight sentence”.

Regarding artificial intelligence, Schuh pointed out that he “relatively doesn’t care if the machine has a conscience”, as a writer he wonders “if things don’t get lost”. But “perhaps we live indefinitely because machines replace what makes us mortal”.

But the writer also sees himself as a “timid recipient. Nothing in the world has given me such a wonderful life as the computer,” he pointed out. This is incredible progress for a writer. Nemeth cited translation as an example of the theoretical benefits of AI.

Technology almost seems to overwhelm people. “There are certain times when something breaks down and can never be reversed. It’s the same with technical developments to some extent,” Schuh explained.

There are counter-movements

But Elisabeth Nemeth pleaded for a certain level of composure. Because they also experience counter-movements. “More and more young people are picking up books. And with funny arguments, like that a book smells good”, explains the philosopher. And above all, “we must strive to ensure that, whatever the channel – print or digital – people learn to see, to adopt different perspectives, to verify what is meant and what is safe “.

The ‘Digital Humanism – Shaping Transformation’ discussion series is dedicated to the challenge of confronting the digital technologies that have fundamentally changed our world and developing an idea of ​​a ‘good digital life for all’. The series is organized in cooperation with the “Wiener Zeitung” and the University of Applied Arts in Vienna.