AI Can Do It for You. But Should It, Oh Classical Woman?

AI this. AI that. AI translate. AI Ads. While the world yearns for authenticity, meaning, and truth in a complex age, it’s practically impossible to separate ourselves from the onslaught of automations and integrations. Certainly, not all of it is negative. Data analysis and calculations have done wonders for progress and time-saving. Software and big ideas have taken flight in timelines that were only a fantasy two years ago. However, while the debate rages around human creativity and its use of generative AI, something more subtle seems to be left in the dust. 

While the masses are being promised a world without manually replying to emails or coming up with content ideas, the very facet of critical, character-building self-discipline is under attack. 

Countless hacks and promotions are touting the new ability to outsource inbox management thanks to an integration “agent”… or even automatic Happy Birthday messages and “on my way” texts. The distaste of everyday life’s drudgery is apparently solved at the click of a button. The conversation has moved beyond homework essay generations where fortitude was lost in the click of a button, now to the daily communication tasks we loathe that we can now delegate. At what point is our character in play?

As AI promises the ability to bypass effort like thinking through a problem, organizing our lives, composing our words, outlining an argument, or making an important decision, the unprecedented splicing of self-governance is apparently taking place. It would appear that effort management in this way isn’t just a task, but a practice. The very practices that form our judgment, attention, and self-command are silently withering away for fear of discomfort. Newly minted “AI Experts” who meet with clientele primarily ask what parts of their job they hate that they can replace with a bot. 

But convenience isn’t neutral when the practice at stake is character formation. 

Artificial Intelligence is unquestionably a core facet of our future. While it’s easy to quickly abandon it, learning to harness AI and its capabilities is crucial. However, learning what not to outsource may be that much more important and character-forming. 

Consider for yourself: where has an integration stopped your delayed gratification? Without the act of deliberation, choice, effort, and practice, you might have the correct output, but not the corresponding virtue. 

Aristotle reminds us that virtue isn’t simply arriving at the correct outcome, but that our virtuous character is formed through repeatedly choosing and doing the right thing over and over. In this light, discernment is necessary when implementing and integrating AI into our daily lives, and a filter must accompany it. The question should not just be: does this make my life easier? But what am I giving up in my character at the expense of a little discomfort?

You’ll hear the argument that busywork and difficulty aren’t the reason to muscle through menial tasks in the name of a strong character when automations can easily replace us. And that is, in fact, totally right. Difficulty isn’t a virtue. Combing through every unread promo email instead of using the “select all and delete” feature would be a ridiculous waste. If removing a difficulty with AI merely saves time, labor, and expenses, absolutely automate it. But if removing that manual capacity also removes an important human capacity that is being developed, be more cautious. Suffering isn’t what makes us better for suffering’s sake, but what was accomplished along the journey. 

Two people may be tasked with writing an article, and one short-cuts with generative AI. While his arguments may be more iron-clad and his grammar impeccable, the first person emerges with something the other will never have: a deep understanding of the material and the process, not simply getting the job done. 

Likewise, every little task we do each day forms us into who we are. If someone struggles with patience, perhaps the opportunity to practice that with manual email responses is better for character formation in the long-run.  Where there is a deficit in our character or skills, we must practice what is right over and over again. Not run away from it, or aim to automate a solution, but confront the deeper issues we have without hiding behind an easy answer. 

If you are planning to host an event, an easy tendency would be to consult ChatGPT for a menu, decor, and maybe a game. But a classically feminine woman isn’t just about her output and what she creates in the end. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. A classically feminine woman is valuable because of the very kind of woman her repeated practices produce: the attention to detail to what her guests personally enjoy, the organization required to have best-kept recipes on hand in one place, and the ability to carry a conversation. Creating an eye for beauty and order on a table setting requires real talent instead of asking for a generated mock-up image.

AI can give us the visible fruits of cultivation, without requiring the far-greater process that cultivates our character. That cultivation of character is a core part of our femininity, and must not be set aside. 

For each of us, our relationship with AI may look different, but simply recognizing the self-discipline needed and often abandoned with this topic is a good place to start.