The lost logos of code
The article explores the concept of 'logos' and how it relates to coding and the use of AI in software development. It discusses how code used to reflect the personal creative activity of software engineers, but AI-generated code is losing that personal touch.
Why it matters
This article highlights the philosophical and existential implications of AI's growing role in software development, as the personal connection between engineers and their code is eroded.
Key Points
- 1Logos is the mode by which everything becomes known and manifests its identity and substance
- 2Before AI, code reflected the personal creative activity of software engineers
- 3AI-generated code loses the personal logos, becoming a neutral, optimized output
- 4The human presence and dialogue between engineer and code is diminished with AI
Details
The article delves into the philosophical concept of 'logos', which refers to the inherent meaning and identity of things that is revealed through creative expression. It draws parallels between this idea and how code used to reflect the personal logos of software engineers, with their architectural choices, variable names, and coding logic disclosing their unique creative energy. However, with the rise of AI-generated code, this personal logos is being lost. The code becomes a neutral, optimized output, rather than an 'effected word' signifying the engineer's creative activity. The article argues that this is akin to a poet or painter outsourcing their work to an AI system, where the human presence and dialogue with the material is diminished. While the AI-generated code may function well, it no longer carries the personal stamp of the engineer, leaving the human relationship with their creations in flux.
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