The primary importance of the concept of “good” for library science: Conclusion from “Essay on Library Postmodernity” by A. V. Sokolov
Professor A. V. Sokolov believes that the future of a book and a library depends on how much librarians will be able to overcome the negative aspects of digitalization that has engulfed the whole world, that we are witnessing the decline of book culture and, accordingly, the modern period of history. Postmodernity comes to replace, the birth of which is due to the emergence of new information technologies. In the new era of world history - hypothetical Postmodernity - the existence of libraries is not guaranteed. Artificial intelligence is immoral, human cultural values, and with them the man himself as a creation of nature, is indifferent to him, and the robot can get rid of this as unnecessary. From the above, the conclusion is drawn for libraries as the main collectors, curators and distributors of book culture: they are able to resist this gloomy perspective. Each type of library “is no less than artificial intelligence designed to ensure the formation of a moral, responsible, independently thinking, creative generation of Russian citizens.” The response to his “Essay” states that the so-called future, or post-modernity, has already arrived, since new information and communication technologies are already actively used in all aspects of life, and there can be no turning back. Proposed by A. V. Sokolov book culture definition as “the creative and communication activities of society carried out through symbols in book form” is also acceptable for a digital society. The main idea of the response is that any technology is a means to achieve the goal, and the more powerful it is, the more capabilities it possesses. The Goal must be colored by the highest ethical guidelines. Key to the ultimate goal of library work is the concept of the good in many of its manifestations.