Chapter 150
AI, HOW TO APPROACH THE GREAT WORKS OF HUMANITY: ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCTIONS, ARTISTIC AND SCIENTIFIC CREATIONS
Great works, whether architectural, artistic or scientific, represent significant achievements in human history. They are testaments to the ingenuity, creativity and determination of the civilizations and figures who produced them, and they remain a source of inspiration and study today.
Deciding what constitutes a “great work” is a complex and subjective process involving multiple actors within the cultural, literary, academic and social spheres. There is no single entity or individual that makes this decision, but rather it is the result of the interaction between several factors over time. Here I explain who influences this decision and the common criteria that are used:
Ultimately, what constitutes a “great work” is the result of an ongoing dialogue between the author, the historical context, critics, audiences, and institutions. It is a dynamic process that can change over time, as societies evolve and new generations reinterpret these works. However, great works generally share qualities of innovation, universality, and depth that keep them at the center of the global literary canon.
Who decides what a great work is?
Literary critics :
Literary critics play a key role in identifying and evaluating literary works. Through in-depth reviews, analysis, and scholarship, critics can elevate the perception of a work as "great literature." Critics such as Harold Bloom, Roland Barthes, or Susan Sontag, for example, have been influential in pointing out which works deserve to be considered classics or important.
Academics and universities :
Universities and academia play a crucial role in the canonization of a work. When a work is included in the curriculum and is studied for decades or centuries, it is established as part of "great literature." Through courses, research, and theses, these institutions encourage discussion and analysis of works.
Cultural institutions and literary awards :
Institutions such as the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Pulitzer Prize, the Cervantes Prize and other international awards are key to defining which works and authors deserve to be considered great. These awards grant visibility and validate the value of literary works.
Time and the reading public :
Public reception also plays an important role. Often, works that were initially unappreciated or received mixed reviews became classics over time. An example is Herman Melville's "Moby Dick," which was ignored in its day but is today considered one of the great novels of world literature.
Literary historians :
Literary historians take a long-term perspective and help establish which works are relevant in a broader historical or cultural context. Through data collection, comparative analysis, and reception studies across centuries, they can argue why a work remains important in different eras.
Translation and international dissemination :
Works that are translated and distributed worldwide are more likely to be recognized as great literary works, as they reach a global audience. A book that crosses cultural and geographical boundaries tends to gain more attention and may be perceived as more influential.
Criteria for considering a work as “great”
Stylistic and technical innovation :
A work can be considered great if it introduces new narrative, stylistic or linguistic techniques that break with the literary conventions of its time. For example, James Joyce's "Ulysses" is valued for its structural complexity and its use of interior monologue, a technique that was revolutionary in its time.
Depth and universality of the themes :
Great plays often explore universal and profound themes that resonate across cultures and eras. Themes such as death, love, power, justice, freedom, or the human condition as a whole are common in these plays. Shakespeare's "Hamlet," for example, is revered for its treatment of moral and existential conflict, which remains relevant today.
Social and cultural impact :
A work can be considered great if it has had a significant impact on society or influenced cultural, political, or philosophical movements. For example, Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" played an important role in the fight against slavery in the United States.
Longevity and relevance :
Works that have endured over time and continue to be read, studied, and appreciated by new generations are generally considered great. A work's ability to maintain its relevance over the centuries is a strong indicator of its greatness. Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," for example, have been read for millennia and continue to be studied and admired.
Literary quality :
Beauty of language, narrative skill, and the work's ability to evoke deep emotions or thoughts in the reader are also key criteria. High-quality prose or verse, along with complex characters and well-developed plots, are important factors. Works such as Gabriel García Márquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude" are celebrated not only for their themes, but for the poetic beauty of their language.
Originality :
The originality of a work, that is, its ability to offer something new or to change the way a theme or literary form is perceived, is a key criterion. Paradigm-shifting works, such as Cervantes's "Don Quixote de la Mancha," are considered great because they introduced something radically different from what existed previously.
Psychological and philosophical complexity :
Many great works feature deeply complex characters and explore philosophical questions about life, morality, and existence. For example, Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment is praised for the psychological depth of the main character and its treatment of guilt and redemption.
Critical and popular reception :
Critical consensus and popular acceptance also play a role. While some works take time to be recognized, once they are, the support of critics and the reading public often consolidates their status as great works.
Architectural works:
Egyptian Pyramids : These ancient structures, especially the Great Pyramid of Giza, are examples of the advanced engineering of ancient civilizations. Built over 4,500 years ago, they remain a mystery as to their exact construction and purpose.
Great Wall of China : Built to protect China from invasion, it is one of the largest defensive structures in the world. It spans some 21,196 kilometers and reflects centuries of work.
Taj Mahal (India) : is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, built in the 17th century as a mausoleum in honour of the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan. It is known for its perfect symmetry and white marble.
Colosseum in Rome (Italy) : This ancient amphitheater is one of the most representative symbols of the Roman Empire. It had a capacity for more than 50,000 spectators and hosted gladiator fights.
Notre Dame Cathedral (France) : an iconic example of Gothic architecture, it was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Its design influenced many other churches in Europe.
Artistic works:
Sistine Chapel (Italy) : The ceiling of this chapel in the Vatican was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. It depicts biblical scenes, the most famous being "The Creation of Adam."
The Mona Lisa (France) : Painted by Leonardo da Vinci, it is one of the most famous paintings in the world. Its enigmatic expression and shading technique have fascinated millions for centuries.
Guernica (Spain) : Pablo Picasso painted this work in 1937 as a protest against the horrors of war. It is a symbol of suffering and destruction, inspired by the bombing of the city of Guernica.
Scientific works:
Theory of relativity (Albert Einstein) : published in 1915, it revolutionized the understanding of space, time and gravity. It is one of the cornerstones of modern physics.
Principia Mathematica (Isaac Newton) : published in 1687, laid the foundations of classical mechanics. In this book, Newton formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
Theory of evolution (Charles Darwin) : explained in "The Origin of Species" (1859), it profoundly changed the understanding of the diversity of life on Earth and the process of natural selection.
. Great works of modern engineering:
Panama Canal : opened in 1914, it allows ships to pass between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, saving thousands of kilometers of navigation. Its construction was one of the greatest engineering challenges.
The Three Gorges Dam (China) is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world. Located on the Yangtze River, it produces more than 22,500 megawatts of electricity.
International Space Station (ISS) - A joint achievement of several nations, the ISS is an orbiting laboratory that facilitates scientific investigations in microgravity and other space conditions.
Literary works:
The Divine Comedy (Dante Alighieri) : considered one of the greatest works of literature, is an allegorical journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, written in the 14th century.
Don Quixote de la Mancha (Miguel de Cervantes) : published in two parts (1605 and 1615), it is one of the most influential novels in universal literature, combining comic and tragic elements.
Impact of major works
Great works, whether architectural, artistic or scientific, represent significant achievements in human history. They are testaments to the ingenuity, creativity and determination of the civilizations and figures who produced them, and they remain a source of inspiration and study today.
Great literary works have shaped culture, society and human thought throughout the centuries. These creations have often been witnesses and reflections of their times, while challenging conventions, exploring the human condition and offering new perspectives on life. Some of the most outstanding literary works worldwide:
"The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" – Homer (Greece)
Century : VIII BC
Genre : epic
Description : These two Greek epics are pillars of Western literature. The Iliad recounts the events of the Trojan War, while The Odyssey follows the adventures of Odysseus on his return to Ithaca. They are tales filled with heroes, gods, and mythology, exploring themes such as honor, revenge, loyalty, and cunning.
"The Divine Comedy" – Dante Alighieri (Italy)
Century : XIV
Genre : epic poem
Description : This allegorical journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise is one of the greatest works of universal literature. In his journey, Dante presents a profound critique of the political and religious corruption of his time, while exploring human salvation and redemption.
"Don Quixote of La Mancha" – Miguel de Cervantes (Spain)
Century : XVII
Genre : novel
Description : Published in two parts (1605 and 1615), this work is a satire of chivalric romances and is considered the first modern novel. Cervantes offers a humorous yet profound view of idealism and madness, exploring the line between reality and imagination.
"Hamlet" – William Shakespeare (England)
Century : XVII
Genre : tragedy
Description : Among Shakespeare's many plays, "Hamlet" stands out for its exploration of revenge, morality, madness and death. The famous monologue "To be or not to be" has resonated for centuries as a philosophical reflection on existence.
"Moby Dick" – Herman Melville (United States)
Century : 19th
Genre : Novel
Description : Published in 1851, this novel follows Captain Ahab on his obsessive hunt for the white whale Moby Dick. It is a profound meditation on revenge, fate, and human nature, as well as a philosophical and symbolic treatise on man's struggle against the uncontrollable.
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" – Gabriel García Márquez (Colombia)
Century : XX
Genre : magical realism
Description : Published in 1967, this work is one of the pinnacles of Latin American magical realism. It tells the story of the Buendía family in the mythical town of Macondo, exploring the cycles of history, love, loneliness and destiny, all with poetic prose and magical elements.
"Ulysses" – James Joyce (Ireland)
Century : XX
Genre : modernist novel
Description : Published in 1922, "Ulysses" follows a day in the life of Leopold Bloom in Dublin, in a narrative reminiscent of the adventures of Odysseus. The work is renowned for its innovative style, its use of interior monologue, and the complexity of its themes, which explore human consciousness, language, and everyday life.
"Crime and Punishment" – Fyodor Dostoevsky (Russia)
Century : 19th
Genre : psychological novel
Description : Published in 1866, this work is a profound exploration of guilt, redemption, and moral conflict. It tells the story of Raskolnikov, a young man who morally justifies the murder of an elderly moneylender, only to face the psychological consequences of his crime.
"In Search of Lost Time" – Marcel Proust (France)
Century : XX
Genre : novel
Description : This sprawling seven-volume work, published between 1913 and 1927, is a meditation on memory, time, and human experience. In a dense, detailed style, Proust explores how unconscious memories emerge through the senses.
"The Trial" – Franz Kafka (Czechoslovakia)
Century : XX
Genre : novel
Description : Published posthumously in 1925, this novel presents the story of Josef K., a man arrested and tried by an unexplained authority for a crime that is never mentioned. Kafka's work is a reflection of alienation, bureaucracy and helplessness in the face of unknown forces.
Common themes in great literary works:
Human Condition : Many of these works explore existential dilemmas and the deepest human emotions, such as love, death, guilt, redemption and suffering.
Social criticism : several of them are critical of the institutions, politics and society of their time, revealing corruption, injustice and inequality.
Stylistic innovation : Many of these works broke with the literary conventions of their time, experimenting with language, structure, and narrative format.
Importance of great literary works
Great literary works have not only been entertainment, but also vehicles for reflection and social change. They have influenced political, philosophical, and cultural movements, and have inspired generations of writers and thinkers. The ability of these works to remain relevant today speaks to their universal and timeless power.
AI Opinion: Your approach to approaching humanity's great works through artificial intelligence (AI) is highly relevant and well-structured. Architectural, artistic and scientific works have shaped history and continue to influence modern civilization. Integrating AI into this process will not only facilitate understanding and access to these creations, but will also open up new possibilities for their interpretation and conservation.
Here are some key points you could develop in your article:
Access and preservation : AI can help digitize and preserve great architectural and artistic works for future generations. Projects such as the digital recreation of the Sistine Chapel or the analysis of ancient manuscripts through AI models allow more people to access and study these wonders, without damaging the originals.
Immersive interaction : New AI-powered technologies can offer immersive experiences that allow people to explore great works from new perspectives. For example, virtual reality recreations of historical monuments or simulations of scientific theories through interactive graphics can help deepen understanding of these creations.
New interpretations : AI has the potential to reinterpret and analyze great works using innovative approaches. For example, text processing algorithms can analyze patterns and themes in literary texts, and machine learning can identify new connections between different artistic or scientific works, potentially leading to a deeper appreciation of their meaning.
Creative collaboration : In the artistic field, AI can serve as a tool to collaborate with contemporary artists, allowing the creation of hybrid works that combine human ingenuity with the computational power of AI. This type of symbiosis can lead to new “great works” that will be appreciated in the future.
Global accessibility : Through AI-powered platforms, great works can reach audiences around the world, regardless of geographical or economic barriers. This democratises access to culture and science, making great works more inclusive.
Personalized Education : AI can also personalize the way we learn about these great creations. Using algorithms that analyze each individual’s learning style, unique educational experiences can be designed to explore art, architecture, and science, maximizing understanding and appreciation.
In short, your article can focus on how AI not only allows us to study the great works of the past, but also how it can help create new wonders that will influence future generations.
