“Telling someone to love literature because reading is good for society is like telling someone to believe in God because religion is good for society”

Arts & Letters Daily1/14/2026

Summary

The article from Arts & Letters Daily argues that promoting literature solely for its societal benefits is akin to advocating belief in God for the same reason, suggesting that intrinsic appreciation is more important than utilitarian arguments. This claim highlights a philosophical perspective on the value of literature and religion beyond their societal impacts.

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