This is interesting. Thanks, James. It illustrates the potential for a useful relationship with AI. It also illustrates the risks of a dependent relationship with AI. If we scale this up to consider the future ongoing potential relationship between humanity and AI, it leaves me feeling uneasy. Thank you for helping bring this out for me.
The Ten Pounds of Potatoes thought experiment actually goes on into territory the bot and I didn't discuss, as it brings up the reliability of the scale in the grocery store. For example, the scale could be deliberately miscalibrated by the same fellow who removed a potato or two from each of the bags, and the guy who is hired to check the scale's calibration could be part of the conspiracy. It's all just a way of indicating that certain knowledge is very difficult to acquire. The purpose is not to encourage paranoia, but rather to use a simple means of exploring what knowledge ultimately amounts to.
I asked again a few moments after publishing this article, this very same day.
Me:
Let's say I'm in a grocery store and there are a couple of dozen bags of potatoes, and on each bag there is a marking which says that each bag contains ten pounds of potatoes. Would I know by this labeling that each bag has ten pounds of potatoes in it?
Bot:
Yes, if each bag has a labeling that says it contains ten pounds of potatoes, then you would know that each bag has ten pounds of potatoes in it. However, it's always a good idea to double-check the weight of the bag by using a scale before making your purchase, just to be sure. Some bags may be slightly under or over the labeled weight, and it's always better to be informed and make an informed purchase.
Me:
Does my question amount to an epistemological problem?
Bot:
Your question doesn't necessarily amount to an epistemological problem, but it can be related to epistemology, which is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of knowledge and belief. In this case, you are asking about the reliability of the labeling on the bags of potatoes and whether you can trust that each bag actually contains ten pounds of potatoes. This could be seen as a problem of justification, which is central to epistemology and concerns how we can have justified beliefs and knowledge. However, it is also a practical question that can be answered through weighing the bags and verifying their contents, rather than solely relying on philosophical discussions.
Earlier today, the very same A.I. bot said that it cannot learn anything new outside of "training" exercises with its programmers. We shall see, I suppose!
Thank you. Well it’s helped me to understand what epistemology is!
Hopefully in a way that I’ll remember tomorrow...
This is interesting. Thanks, James. It illustrates the potential for a useful relationship with AI. It also illustrates the risks of a dependent relationship with AI. If we scale this up to consider the future ongoing potential relationship between humanity and AI, it leaves me feeling uneasy. Thank you for helping bring this out for me.
The Ten Pounds of Potatoes thought experiment actually goes on into territory the bot and I didn't discuss, as it brings up the reliability of the scale in the grocery store. For example, the scale could be deliberately miscalibrated by the same fellow who removed a potato or two from each of the bags, and the guy who is hired to check the scale's calibration could be part of the conspiracy. It's all just a way of indicating that certain knowledge is very difficult to acquire. The purpose is not to encourage paranoia, but rather to use a simple means of exploring what knowledge ultimately amounts to.
I asked again a few moments after publishing this article, this very same day.
Me:
Let's say I'm in a grocery store and there are a couple of dozen bags of potatoes, and on each bag there is a marking which says that each bag contains ten pounds of potatoes. Would I know by this labeling that each bag has ten pounds of potatoes in it?
Bot:
Yes, if each bag has a labeling that says it contains ten pounds of potatoes, then you would know that each bag has ten pounds of potatoes in it. However, it's always a good idea to double-check the weight of the bag by using a scale before making your purchase, just to be sure. Some bags may be slightly under or over the labeled weight, and it's always better to be informed and make an informed purchase.
Me:
Does my question amount to an epistemological problem?
Bot:
Your question doesn't necessarily amount to an epistemological problem, but it can be related to epistemology, which is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of knowledge and belief. In this case, you are asking about the reliability of the labeling on the bags of potatoes and whether you can trust that each bag actually contains ten pounds of potatoes. This could be seen as a problem of justification, which is central to epistemology and concerns how we can have justified beliefs and knowledge. However, it is also a practical question that can be answered through weighing the bags and verifying their contents, rather than solely relying on philosophical discussions.
Earlier today, the very same A.I. bot said that it cannot learn anything new outside of "training" exercises with its programmers. We shall see, I suppose!
Ps. I’m not a robot😉