We can talk to computers. We have Siri and Alexa. To be honest, I never have used Siri or Alexa. For some reason, I find it sounds so stupid to talk to a machine.
You talk to human beings not to machines. Maybe it is related to the feeling that the other person understands you, or even feel what you mean.
Yet there is a huge inconsistency in my behavior. I have no problem at all "type-talk" to ChatGPT. A chatbot seems to be no problem for me. I still haven't figured out why I dislike Siri but have no problem with a chatbot.
The meaning of language seems self-evident to us, but it is anything but. Language is changeable. For example, listen to how young people used to talk and the street language of today,
or read an old newspaper article. In addition, human language is ambiguous, it does not have the unambiguous definitions of computer languages. Puns, irony, and jokes are difficult to grasp in the o and 1 of computers.
Anyone who wants to develop artificial intelligence cannot ignore language. For example, Descartes sees language use as one of the two qualities that distinguishes humans from machines and animals. The other one is of course the use of our ratio.
Moreover, almost all human scientific knowledge is in language and is on the shelf in libraries, not to mention what is available digitally in language: Wikipedia, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
So how deals Artificial Intelligence with language and the second even more important question is, does it just like us really understands what it is saying?
In the 1960 we see the first attempts to make AI deal with language. The artificial intelligence follows a predetermined set of rules for using language, with a strong emphasis on the way sentences are constructed.
The most amusing attempt is of course ELIZA by Joseph Weizenbaum (1923 – 2008) was a German American computer scientist and a professor at MIT. You really have to look it up and have a conversation with "her".
ELIZA grabs keywords from your remarks and based on her preprogrammed rules she returns them to you as questions so that the conversation can go on.
In short, ELIZA is able to conduct a conversation through a list of keywords and rules. Completely in line with Leibniz's logic-based tradition, the structure of sentences is central.
This was one of the attempts to have artificial intelligence use language and conversation. When you talk to ELIZA you may be fooled and get the feeling she really understands you,
but no, that is not the case you are dealing with a computer, programmed with keywords and rules, that analyzes your sentences and creates new ones based on the words you used.
So, a question for the future is, will there be developed a computer that understands you? We'll save that one for next time.
Thank you for your attention again....
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 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
The Discussion
[13:20] herman Bergson: Ohhh...I remeber a classic......with ELIZA
[13:21] herman Bergson: in those days....we said..... I Love you, ELIZA.....
[13:21] herman Bergson: That was fun....but her keyword was YOU....
[13:22] herman Bergson: so 100% sure you would get the answer...let's not talk about me, but about you :-)
[13:22] Max Chatnoir: That's funny!
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa ok
[13:22] herman Bergson: You can find her with Google.....
[13:23] herman Bergson: You really should try a conversation with "her"
[13:23] Max Chatnoir: So you can still talk to her?
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm keywords indeed. And that is the main difference, we usually dont talk to computers like that and definitley not through speech
[13:23] herman Bergson: Very therapeutic
[13:23] herman Bergson: I reallly feel stupid giving verbal instructions to my computer
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but instead we use languages like C++ Python and for things like CNC millls, lathes and 3D printers we use G Code
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the natural anguages of the machine itslef, maybee that is why it feels so strange to talk directly to a machine in natural language
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): like english dutch ect
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): OUR natural langiages
[13:24] herman Bergson: You sit at your desk and then say "Open OpenOffice" or "PhotoShop".....really weird to me
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and not the machines own langiage
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats one theory i have
[13:25] herman Bergson: I rather click a menu option :-)))
[13:25] Max Chatnoir: I'm pretty used to talking to my Alexa. Put spinach on the shopping list, etc.
[13:25] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lol Max
[13:25] herman Bergson: lol...You DO, Max????
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and also our knowledge in general that a computer is not alive so we should not talk to it like it is a living thing
[13:26] Max Chatnoir: I do and then she will tell me what is on the list.
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats my guesses
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): why talking to machines feels weird/off
[13:26] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i use a paper note:)
[13:26] herman Bergson: Me too and even a pen
[13:27] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): yes and a pen:)
[13:27] Max Chatnoir: Well, I try to talk to Alexa like a person so I won't start talking to people like a machine.
[13:27] herman Bergson: Ohh...and that shopping list goes to your phone I guess?
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i speak quite fluent C++ at least
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but hard to have a conversation using that
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): between people
[13:28] Max Chatnoir: No, I just have her read it back and I write the list.
[13:28] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i even use real money that i can spend in the shop
[13:28] herman Bergson: You see, that is the weird part for me...Max....you imagine to talk to a person....
[13:29] herman Bergson: I lack that imagination still :-)
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in short the natural languages of people and machines are very different
[13:29] Max Chatnoir: Well, it's just a voice that responds to what I say.
[13:29] Max Chatnoir: But I also talk to my cats.
[13:29] Max Chatnoir: Sometimes in Spanish or German.
[13:29] herman Bergson: I even talk to a photograph.....
[13:29] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): and give them "bratwurst?"
[13:30] herman Bergson: Ohh...makes me think of a situation
[13:30] herman Bergson: We were sitting on a terras and a dog was barking constantly...
[13:30] Max Chatnoir: One of my cats learned to understand T_R_E_A_T
[13:30] Max Chatnoir: spelled out.
[13:30] herman Bergson: OWned by a German lady...
[13:30] Max Chatnoir: but just one of them.
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok ㋡
[13:31] herman Bergson: she kept saying//"Sei still. Hör auf"
[13:31] bergfrau Apfelbaum: i also felt strange when i used my smartphone on the street :-) .... that was so embarrassing. dumb. but i have gotten used to it
[13:31] herman Bergson: And I was strongly inclined to ask the lady...are you sure your dog understands German :-)
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess u do after a whiöe
[13:32] Max Chatnoir: Oh, I don't talk on my phone in public.
[13:32] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lol Herman
[13:32] herman Bergson: I didn't ask however
[13:32] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :))
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and i cant type today at all! but you get it stil I guess but i should probably not continue with the programming after this
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): computers are much pickier
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but also im stuck myself a bit so
[13:33] herman Bergson: I don't like to use my iPhone in public either....
[13:33] bergfrau Apfelbaum: :-)
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): + been a bit sleepy al day, or i dont have any energy for some reason. Its a bit better now asfter some fun events in here including this though
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:34] Max Chatnoir: Maybe you need some sleep!
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm i slept for quite long but not realy good ni think, had some weird dreams
[13:34] herman Bergson: Anyway....main question still is....can a computer UNDERSTAND language?
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): idk
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm interesting quuestion indeed Herman
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): is that possible
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:35] herman Bergson: Maybe you remember that Google employee that was fired ...I guess it was last year
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm sounds amiliar
[13:35] herman Bergson: because he claimed that the AI program had become conscious
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes that one
[13:35] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:35] Max Chatnoir: Hmmm. I wonder why he thought so.
[13:36] herman Bergson: Let's get into that next Thursday :-)
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i can see it somewhat
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaaa
[13:36] herman Bergson: Talk to ELIZA MAx, and you'll understand :-)
[13:36] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): it's creepy to thinkit is conscious
[13:36] herman Bergson: That is the point Beertje......
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): still that they could make it so well already back in the 60s
[13:37] Max Chatnoir: Oh, Alexa startles me sometimes.
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): with ELIZA
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): still its just a machine
[13:37] herman Bergson: It loooks conscious, but it still is a machine....but it can manipulate our feelings
[13:37] herman Bergson: lol
[13:37] Max Chatnoir: Has ELIZA been accumulating a database all this time?
[13:37] herman Bergson: CLASS DISMISSED ....lol
[13:38] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): why do you want to have an Alexa Max?
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but indee dthe idea of AI is not new, the programming anguage LISP from the 50s was made specifically for AI and machine learning, the structure of the code makes it so that the computer can actually program itself
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): something about data and commands being the exact same thing
[13:38] Max Chatnoir: It's handy for reminding me to do something.
[13:39] herman Bergson: Oh yes...it is handy....
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i have never tried lisp seriously however cause for me the code looks just like the alternate meaning of the term LISP = Losts of Irritating Superfluous Parenthesis
[13:39] Max Chatnoir: Actually, my husband, who was a programmer, got the first one and then got some more and I sort of picked up the older ones.
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): VERY hard to read
[13:39] Max Chatnoir: It's great for shopping lists!
[13:40] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): lol
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): or just its too different to what im used to with the C lnagiages
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): languages
[13:40] Max Chatnoir: And Alexa can read Kindle books while I am doing exercises.
[13:40] herman Bergson: That is the differenece, Max
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats smooth
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): for sure
[13:40] herman Bergson: You grew into it.....I just get Siri...beng...TALK :-)
[13:40] bergfrau Apfelbaum: We also have an Alexa. to listen to music. My grandchildren know exactly what to say to hear their favorite song. or a fairy tale................. but when it is not in operation. I unplug it. because I don't want anyone to listen to me LOL
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): haha ok
[13:41] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :))))
[13:41] Max Chatnoir: I don't use Siri at all.
[13:41] herman Bergson: No no...that is for MacOS
[13:41] Max Chatnoir: And I'll sometimes ask a question, like using a search engine.
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i have a LED lamp i can use google to talk to to light up in different colors ect
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): not tried that function very much yet however
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but it works
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: That's interesting!
[13:42] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): don't use a red light Bejiita otherwise you'll get a crowd in your front door
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): OMG!
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: :-)
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ,hahahaha
[13:42] herman Bergson: lol
[13:42] bergfrau Apfelbaum: LOL
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes i see what u mean
[13:43] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): grins
[13:43] herman Bergson: You have experience with that Beertje ????
[13:43] bergfrau Apfelbaum: grins
[13:43] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): oh a LOT!!
[13:43] herman Bergson: lol
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i maybee need to get laid or at least i need a good cuddle. I have felt a bit alone today I think and thats why i hav e been slow but I feel better now
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i had a friend before we did that a lot together also so I miss that
[13:44] Max Chatnoir: Hugs, Bejiita!
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): mmmm
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:44] herman Bergson: You don't need to explain that to me Bejiita.....
[13:44] bergfrau Apfelbaum: hugs BejiiMan
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): mmmm ur all so nice
[13:45] herman Bergson: Not my best days either.....
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): we need to cheer each other up as good as we can
[13:45] bergfrau Apfelbaum: (( hugs to Herman ))
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaaaa
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): while getting al this interesting stuff from u
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:46] Max Chatnoir: Yes, even literary hugs are comforting!
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa
[13:46] herman Bergson: They are Max...dear friendship....
[13:47] herman Bergson: So...see you all next Thursday again.....
[13:47] Max Chatnoir: Group hug for Herman!
[13:47] herman Bergson: Now I gonna play my cello.....
[13:47] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): till next thursday
[13:47] bergfrau Apfelbaum: Thank you Herman and class!
[13:47] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yay
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): YAY! (yay!)
[13:47] herman Bergson: Still have to practice
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): mmmm
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:47] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nice
[13:48] Max Chatnoir: Happy cello!
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yeah!
[13:48] herman Bergson: Thank you:-)
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