It may be somewhat surprising that a project about Artificial Intelligence doesn't begin with a talk about computers and programming languages like LISP or PROLOG, but with Aristotle.
But a fact is that without Aristotle's contribution to philosophy we might never had artificial intelligence. Yes I know, you might object, if it wasn't him someone else might have discovered logic.
What I mean to say is that just this individual Greek has had such an impact on human history that we now, as a consequence, can have fun with chatbots or get intellectual support from ChatGTP and others.
Why is this the case? Aristotle was the first to conclude that thinking and reasoning were not just some random process. You could capture this process in rules. With his syllogisms he, so to speak, mechanized thinking.
There are several syllogisms, but let's stick to just one and not digress.
(1) All A are B
(2) C is B
Conclusion: C is A
If 1 and 2 are true then 3 is true. Compare it with elementary mathematics. Suppose Lukkie first gets two cakes and then another three cakes.
The mathematical conclusion is then that 2 + 3 equals five cakes. This conclusion is reached by applying the mathematical rules for the numbers 2 and 3 and the plus sign, and not by looking in the real world at how many cakes Angela has at that moment.
Just like in logic, a mathematical conclusion does not necessarily have anything to do with the actual situation. The conclusion is merely the consequence of the premises.
Aristotle's logic is therefore a first step towards a mathematical system in which it is impossible to arrive at a false conclusion from true premises.
The idea is simple: give a computer only information that is true, plus a properly functioning logical system, and that combination allows a computer to draw new conclusions on its own.
A fact is however, that these new conclusions aren't that new, because what is in the conclusion was already in the premisses, but we just didn't happen to see that or lacked the time to check it out.
This makes me think about the originality of Artificial Intelligence because it looks like, that it can not think "out of the box".
I read in an article that certain artificial intelligence applications in chemistry came up with "new" and better strategies to compose certain molecules, but the molecules weren't new, only the method to synthesize them.
But to make our stand, the starting point of the relationship between philosophy and artificial intelligence lies in logic, the part of the philosophy of systematizing thinking.
Thank you for your attention....
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - Th Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
The Discussion
[13:15] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:15] Max Chatnoir: Thank you, Herman.
[13:15] herman Bergson: Regarding the remark onIndian philosophy....we already addressed this issue in a previous project...the fact that Aristotelian logic may have its roots in Indian philosophy
[13:16] Max Chatnoir: I guess those syllogisms were the first algorithms.
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): might be so
[13:16] herman Bergson: In fact they were, Max
[13:16] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): interesting that they were
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): western philosophy got started late after many others
[13:17] Neuro Wonder: Aristotle's ethics would more likely help us with AI at this point
[13:17] herman Bergson: What is amazing is that thinkers like Aristotle came up with this idea of how we (ought) to think
[13:18] herman Bergson: Can you elaborate on that statement Neuro?
[13:18] Neuro Wonder: He wrote Nicomachean ethics and gave a vritue-based approach
[13:18] Neuro Wonder: using logic, which he did not originate
[13:19] herman Bergson: but virtue is a value based concept...how could a computer handle that?
[13:19] Max Chatnoir: Yes, that's the tricky part. Values change.
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but some are using AI for wrong ideas
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): faking voices
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): deepfakes
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): faking scenes that are not real
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): about real people
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i think that is what neuro meant
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye ethics
[13:21] herman Bergson: As I said....fill the computer with true data and a logical algorothm and it will come up with true conclusions
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): someone has to regulate such issues
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): how to use AI in an ethically correct way and not misuse it to promote, hate racism, war ect
[13:21] herman Bergson: yes
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): or AI will be another huge problem instead of a huge help
[13:21] herman Bergson: Let me givw you a funny example of today....
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and also not use it to replace all artists with a machine
[13:22] herman Bergson: I put my text through Gammerly.....
[13:22] herman Bergson: there was a wentencew that said...."she so or so...
[13:22] herman Bergson: Gammerly marked it....
[13:23] herman Bergson: the error was...She had to be He...!
[13:23] Max Chatnoir: That's funny!
[13:23] Max Chatnoir: How did it come to that conclusion?
[13:23] ๖̶̶̶ۣۣۜۜ͜ Kimmy Jannings ღڰۣڰۣ- (kim1987.wirefly): laughs
[13:23] herman Bergson: lol yes I thought so too Max
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): aha
[13:23] herman Bergson: Wasn't relevant in the context at all
[13:24] Max Chatnoir: What was the original sentence?
[13:24] herman Bergson: she or he made no difference to the meaning...
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): you know that a Texas marketing company put out an ad in New Hampshire before the primary using Biden's voice urging people not to vote
[13:24] herman Bergson: Is in the text of this lecture...
[13:25] Max Chatnoir: Yes, I heard about that. Scary!
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): deepfaking Biden?
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that is what i mean
[13:25] herman Bergson: That is a crime...
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): exactly!!
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm indeed
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): they are tracking it all down
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but that is only one example
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i bet the tracks will lead to a certain Mr T
[13:25] Max Chatnoir: i'm just waiting for Trump to claim that his phone call to Georgia was faked.
[13:25] herman Bergson: Why are some Americans such disgusting people?
[13:25] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well maybe his supporters
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that too Gemma
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): OMG!!!
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): omg Max
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm indeed
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nothing amazes me regarding that blob
[13:26] herman Bergson: No no...THAT was a PERFECT phone call :-)
[13:26] Max Chatnoir: There were witnesses, but....
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): there are nowhere to be seen
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): for mysterious reasons
[13:27] Max Chatnoir: Yes, he'd have to have called it out earlier to be convincing.
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaaa yes they dissapeared into the backrooms!
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats how it was
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): lol
[13:27] herman Bergson: And that wasn't even Artificial Intelligence...that wasn't intelligence at all
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it was set up by AI
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): AI created the voice
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not the first time
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed AI is really good at creating thruthful voices
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): AI finished a song written by one of the beatles and they sang it
[13:28] herman Bergson: Well, this subject was not the real issue of tiday however :-)
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): John Lennon's last song
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but it is the non ethical use of aI
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): algorithms have to be watched
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): speaking of backrooms, the voises in these short clips about that subject is AI generated appearently but sounds just like a real person
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_gPs8RJiPnQ
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): there are 100s of thesse
[13:30] herman Bergson: oh my...
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): was first once a youtuber pointed this out i just aa ok
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): so indeed you cant separate a real person from AI really here
[13:31] herman Bergson: Well..we only have come to Aristotle....and here you are with all kinds of problems about AI....
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): He would drop dead
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its a 2 edged sword
[13:31] herman Bergson: lol...maybe
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): used right its great but use it wrong and it can cause all kinds of havoc
[13:31] herman Bergson: But...let's get back to the quintessential matter we want to discuss here....
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:32] herman Bergson: We are not interested in all these weird rrsults of current AI....
[13:33] herman Bergson: We are interested in the relation between philosophy and AI
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm how are they connected
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ok
[13:33] Max Chatnoir: logic
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:33] herman Bergson: and our first observation is that alrady the Ancinet Greek succeeded in mechanzing reasoning....
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed the idea is very old
[13:35] herman Bergson: the Aristotelian syllogisms have been the tool of logic an reasoning for centuries ...even ti Immanuel Kant's days who died in 1804
[13:35] Max Chatnoir: The syllogisms extract the conclusions from the premises, but can't add information.
[13:36] herman Bergson: So let's focus on that and not on all tese publicity oriented claims of AI
[13:36] herman Bergson: True Max, as I said before.....
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:37] herman Bergson: The conclusion might sound "new"information , but it already was contained in the premisses...we just didn't see it.
[13:37] herman Bergson: and that is what a computer can generate
[13:38] herman Bergson: There is a lot of debate about whether computer can be creative,,,
[13:38] herman Bergson: yes it can compose a Bach like piece of music....
[13:38] Max Chatnoir: Well extracting information from a lot of complex relationships is pretty valuable.
[13:38] herman Bergson: but is that what we call art?
[13:39] herman Bergson: or a poem?
[13:39] Max Chatnoir: But to write music like Bach, Bach had to do it first!
[13:39] herman Bergson: I agree Max....
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): so there was a basis
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): a computer cant create stuff from scratch, it can replicate Bach because it already have learned what Bach sounds like by being fed by TB with audio data of his music
[13:40] Max Chatnoir: It can spot the patterns.
[13:40] herman Bergson: a AI program can be able to combine much more data to come to a conclusion than a human
[13:40] herman Bergson: That is the point Bejiita...a computer can only create from input data
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats the power of computers, it can handle MUCH larger volumes of dada way faster then we can
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): data
[13:41] Max Chatnoir: And a lot can be done with complex data sets.
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but indeed, computers are just machines and they can still only do what WE tell them to do, they have no own will
[13:41] herman Bergson: Well..guess we have tortured our brains enough for today :-)
[13:41] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:42] herman Bergson: SO...tie to get ready for a pleasnat weekend , I'd say :-)
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): hope so
[13:42] herman Bergson: Thank you all again...
[13:42] herman Bergson: Class dismmised...:-)
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): shall try for Tuesday
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: Thank you, Herman!
[13:42] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): time for a snack Bej
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): good <Idea Gemma
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): idea
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:43] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye for now
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