Hello, I’m Pang Ying. Welcome to Episode 13 of Think Like a Debater.

A few days ago, Teacher Zhan and I debated whether poetry, music, and other works created by AI have artistic value. I argued yes; she argued no.

Zhan said: ‘AI cannot write poems born from genuine grief, such as: “A fair lady still sings the Old Drunkard’s verse; forty-three years vanished like a flash. Of those who knew him with me, only the moon beneath West Lake remains.” The language is not ornate and uses no conventional words for sorrow, yet it shakes the reader. Real experience lets art move hearts and cross time. AI cannot do that!’

I answered: ‘I agree that creation from lived experience is extremely valuable and accomplished, but that does not mean AI creation has no value. Even if its value is lower than work by humans with lived experience, that cannot prove it valueless. I did not claim AI is the only valuable creator, should replace people, or creates more valuable work than existing forms. I claim only that AI can be one kind of creator and its work embodies some artistic value.’

Zhan said: ‘Creation necessarily involves human agency.’

I said: ‘Please establish why human agency is a necessary condition.’

Zhan said: ‘Only humans understand humans. AI performs statistical analysis, which is not understanding.’

I said: ‘You have defined only human understanding as understanding and only human creation as creation. That is a domineering definition.’

To introduce today’s material, I have simplified this exchange and distorted Teacher Zhan’s case somewhat. In Part Three, I hope to debate the motion with her fully and accurately.

Today introduces three concepts: absolute thresholds versus comparisons; forward and reverse reasoning with sufficient and necessary conditions; and domineering definitions.

First, absolute thresholds versus comparisons.

We often hear exchanges like these.

A says: ‘What Zhang did was wrong.’

B says: ‘Zhang is not so bad. Many people today do far worse!’

A says: ‘I face enormous pressure. Mental illness is widespread in our profession, and we need care!’