Today, advanced science and technology have made great changes to people’s life, but artists such as musicians, painters and writers are still highly valued. What can arts tell us about life that science and technology cannot?
科技与艺术同等重要
The tremendous achievements made in the fields of science and technology have radically improved people's lives. However, the value placed on creative pursuits tells us of the importance it plays in our society. Clearly, there are aspects of arts which tell us more about humanity that science and technology cannot.
The arts enable us to create a cultural snapshot of time that technology cannot. The works of great musicians, painters and writers help define the zeitgeist of their time. For example, the great literary classics, such as works of Shakespeare, are still relevant today because they highlight a deep understanding of human nature. In contrast, science cannot offer the same kind of emotional snapshot of history. Although technology allows us to store things, it does not capture the profoundness of the written word or a genuine art piece that enables us to glimpse into the minds of our ancestors.
Furthermore, the arts can promote empathy among humans and allow people to respond emotionally to each other’s creativity. For example, pictures of the Vietnam war zone created a visceral reaction among voters which in part led to the marches against the war, and they made people empathize with people they had never met from around the globe. In contrast, science and technology tend to be very exact and methodical and are not empathetic, which is great for research but not for understanding life.
Overall, technology and science are beneficial to society. However, the arts provide us with a snapshot of our past and enable us to empathize with our community and cater to our emotions in ways that nothing else can.