Archive of a post that was here: http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2004/7/14/182345/984

By Shimmer Fri Jul 16th, 2004 at 01:08:17 AM EST Science

July 02004

I believe that the folks over at the Long Now project are onto something, although they don't seem to quite realize it. They point out that civilization has a "pathologically short attention span" and are addressing this problem by building a 10,000 year clock that "ticks once a year, bongs once a century, and the cuckoo comes out every millennium". They have a charming way of prepending a zero onto the date (so that 2004, for example, becomes 02004) to emphasize this point of view.

Their goal is an admirable one - to focus humanity's attention on timescales that extend beyond a single life, but they don't seem to have thought very deeply about the underlying philosophy. I propose that the Long Now has profound implications for our species - implications that range from the mundane to the practical to the spiritual. What better way to organize and direct such implications than to form a new religion?

All rational thinkers, hear me: Welcome to the Church of the Long Now.

To the best of our current knowledge, the universe is about 14,000,000,000 years old. The solar system is about 4,500,000,000 years old. Life on Earth is about 3,500,000,000 years old. Intelligent life on Earth is about 100,000 years old. The age of the individual readers of this article varies from about 10 to about 100 years old. Are there possibly any dates that are more important to us than these? They teach us that we are very young, the world is very old, and that the future is immense.

Each such date leads to a "Why?" question. Each such question is a pillar in the Church of the Long Now (CLN):

The First Pillar: Why is there something rather than nothing? The Second Pillar: Why does the Earth exist? The Third Pillar: Why does life exist? The Fourth Pillar: Why does intelligence exist? The Fifth Pillar: Why do I exist? Contemplating these questions is the fundamental purpose of the CLN. Even a few moments of thought tells us that what happens tomorrow is probably not so important in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps we should concentrate instead on making sure that we can continue to address these questions in the future. Not just tomorrow, but 10 years from now, 100 years, 1000 years, 10,000 years, 100,000 years, 1,000,000 years. What are the obstacles we must overcome in order to be here in a million years, still contemplating these questions?

---

Science and religion share a common motivation: the search for truth. This is, in fact, the primary goal of science, but in existing religions it competes with other goals. When the teachings of religion are in conflict with the evidence of science, religious people are surprisingly unconcerned. For example, there is no evidence that God exists, or that there is life after death, but religious people consider these to be matters of faith rather than of knowledge.

How does a rational religious person reconcile these contradictions? The answer is that the fundamental purpose of religion is to provide comfort, rather than truth. At times of great ceremony or stress (such as the death of a loved one), the comfort of religion is much more important than the cold facts of science. In this way, most religion is based on wishful thinking. Where children have Santa Claus, adults have God.

For this reason, it is tempting for an atheist to disparage and dismiss religion, but this would be short-sighted. Religion is not a mistake or an accident - it exists in every human culture throughout history. Because religion serves to organize and nurture its members, it has a high survival value. Thus, I suggest that evolution hard-wired religion into the human brain. Our non-believing ancestors tended to have fewer children than the believers did. This is why atheists are a rarity today. People have an in-born, biological need for religion, especially in times of stress. It would be foolish for rational thinkers to ignore this need.

Why is there no religion based on science rather than on faith? Science provides a vision of the universe that is far larger, more complex, and awe-inspiring than that of any religion. While science may be cold and its facts sometimes uncomfortable, it does not turn away from the truth. And what we know of the truth of the universe so far is stunningly, mind-blowingly, staggeringly beautiful. This is why I consider science to be far more spiritual than any existing religion. We are at the beginning of a great journey. Moreover, we currently occupy the central role in the journey, since we are the only intelligent creatures that we know of in the universe. What better story on which to found a religion than this?

---

The First Pillar: Why is there something rather than nothing?

Martin Gardner called this the "superultimate question", and it is indeed potent. The question is so difficult that it is almost incomprehensible. We know almost nothing about the answer, and yet there is little denying the fact that the universe came into being billions of years ago and has been getting larger ever since. Why? It certainly seems simpler to have nothing instead, but that is not the way things went.

This is the coldest, most inhuman pillar of the CLN. It humbles anyone with the courage to face it and reminds us that we are all tiny specks in a nearly infinite ocean. The universe is more immense than we can possibly imagine, and yet we cannot explain why even a tiny bit of it exists. It is so absurd as to make one laugh or come unhinged.

Will humanity, or something like it, survive to witness (or perhaps prevent) the end of the universe? Not if we are wiped out first.

---

The Second Pillar: Why does the Earth exist?

The Earth is a tiny satellite of an average star called Sol. While stars like Sol are utterly commonplace, the conditions on Earth (which allow the formation of large bodies of liquid water) may be much more unusual. Still, there is every reason to suspect that the universe (and perhaps even our own galaxy) is large enough to continue many similar planets.

Following the Big Bang, matter coalesced out of the fundamental building blocks into hydrogen and helium atoms. Gravity pulled these atoms together into stars. There was essentially no other kind of matter in the universe - no carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen, no iron, copper, or gold. These stars lived, and when the largest of them died, they exploded in supernovas which were powerful enough to fuse heavy elements out of lighter ones. Eventually, the material ejected by these explosions coalesced into new solar systems, which in turn lived and died. Eventually, our beloved Sol and Earth were formed from the debris of this cycle. The solid matter that forms every object in the world was created in violent nuclear reactions during supernova explosions. Our flesh, bones, and blood are literally stardust.

While this pillar still places no value on human life, it begins to connect us to the universe at large. It shows that we are of the universe, not alienated from it. Every event that occurs follows natural law.

Will humanity, or something like it, survive to witness (or perhaps prevent) the end of the Earth? Not if we are wiped out first. Nothing protects the Earth from destruction by collision with another body. Perhaps we should begin to consider the survival value of colonizing other planets, even other solar systems? How much time do we have to work with?

---

The Third Pillar: Why does life exist?

After the basic laws of physics and chemistry, replication and evolution by natural selection may be the most fundamental forces in the universe.

Solar radiation pours over the surface of the Earth and nuclear reactions heat it from the inside. These forces mix and stir the planet's material. No intelligence directs this course of events, but some time after the formation of the Earth - perhaps a billion years, perhaps much less - the mixing resulted in a chemical that catalyzed its own production. In other words, a single molecule of this chemical, placed in a solution of ingredients, automatically assembles a copy of itself from the ingredients. Each of these copies then replicates itself similarly. A chain reaction occurs, rapidly converting the solution into a large collection of replicators, assembling and probably disassembling in equilibrium.

Unlikely? Perhaps, but many unlikely events occur in the course of a billion years. In fact, the original replicator may have originated elsewhere and fallen to Earth, but the basic story remains the same. In any case, there is no known alternative explanation that stands up to rational scrutiny.

This simple chemical replication sometimes failed to work correctly. Usually the resulting "mutant" molecule could not itself replicate. But some mistakes resulted in replicators that were slightly more efficient than the original molecule. These replicators quickly spread through the entire system, displacing the original replicator. In this way, the evolution of life began. Every living organism today, from humans to bacteria, is a direct descendent of the initial replicator.

This pillar is perhaps the most miraculous of all because its scope is small enough for us to understand it, yet mysterious enough to baffle us. Today's science can tell us very little about how the original replicator actually arose. We do not know what it was composed of, nor where it originated. All traces of its creation were probably wiped out by its own progeny. We most likely have the technology we need to create our own version of the original replicator from basic organic chemicals, and yet we have no idea how to do so. This is a puzzle that can and should be solved within our lifetimes.

Will humanity survive to witness the further evolution of life on Earth or its discovery elsewhere? Not if we are wiped out first. All known life is concentrated in a single, vulnerable ecosystem. A collision with even a relatively small object (like an asteroid) could disrupt or destroy all known life. Such a collision could be mere centuries or decades away and we would not know it. We are certainly not yet prepared to cope with such a possibility. Perhaps we should start soon?

---

The Fourth Pillar: Why does intelligence exist?

It is a common misconception that evolution naturally "progresses", producing higher and more complex life forms. In fact, evolution simply produces creatures that are well-adapted to their environments. It is not entirely clear, in fact, why anything more complex than bacteria ever evolved. The gift of intelligence is a precious one, because it was far from inevitable.

Nonetheless, one evolutionary path did indeed lead to intelligent humans and so here we are, in a position to ponder questions like why we exist in the first place. Having evolved from non-intelligent ancestors, we are now the first creatures to have escaped from the influence of evolution. With some luck, the future of humanity will not be determined by natural selection, but by rational thought and decisions. Survival of the fittest no longer applies to people.

This pillar serves as the basis for all thinking about humans as a group, be it at the level of species, cultures, or societies. No man is an island, because we all share a common heritage and biology. It is almost impossible to think of a person without considering the effect of other people around him.

Will human accomplishment end with our own accidental self-destruction? If so, perhaps the story would still end fittingly because such a species was not worthy of existence in the first place. But even the most pessimistic person among us must recognize the potential of humanity to tell a much longer and more beautiful story. We may well be the most important and precious result to date in the history of the universe.

---

The Fifth Pillar: Why do I exist?

At long last, we come to the individual. The vast scope of the universe finally reduces to something comfortable and familiar - me, my thoughts, my life. It has been said that great minds think about ideas, average minds think about events, and weak minds think about people. Perhaps more of us should strive towards greatness, but the fact remains that we are mainly concerned with the events and people in our own lives. Any world-view that fails to take this into account is doomed to fail.

Each of us the product of a long line of successful predecessors, each of whom lived long enough to reproduce. By this standard, there is quite a bit of historical momentum embodied in each one of us. And yet, we are all intuitively aware of our accidental nature, and so lucky to be alive. If my father did not happen to return that phone call to my mother in 1962, then I would never have been born. We are each truly unique, and thus precious, never to be repeated.

This pillar and the previous are the warmest and most comforting in the CLN. There is much that a church can do to bolster and nurture the lives of its members, without pandering to them or feeding them lies.

What can I do to keep myself alive long enough to accomplish what I want to do? What will happen to humanity after I die? In terms of the Long Now, I am but a single frame in a very long movie - virtually imperceptible. Time rushes on, not just the years, but the centuries and the millennia. In geological terms, I will leave no trace, and yet what I do can matter a great deal.

---

The Church of the Long Now is sorely needed. Were it to exist, it would combine science with the best of existing religions. Its ceremonies would fill a basic human need without indulging in wishful thinking or other falsehoods. Even as it humbles us, the church would provide comfort by reminding us of our place in universal history. Using rational thought based on scientific knowledge, the church would focus us on the Long Now, identifying the tasks necessary to ensure that our descendents survive to hear many, many chimes of the 10,000 year clock.


posted by dharh 4:55 PM Nov 11th

As it turns out ChatGPT has quite a few problems. So for the time being I am only using it for things I already have skills to which to verify the veracity of what it outputs. That puts the ChatGPT And Me series of posts on indefinite hold. I am still playing around with ChatGPT for programming uses, however the progress is slow as I decided to restructure the Learning a new Programming Language with ChatGPT more than once and thus did not spend the little time I have outside of work on rewrite of the site.

So for the three new projects I 'launched' in February of last year one on hold, two I'm still working on. News years resolution: post progress reports in some timely manner.

I am focused on relaunching the site as the priority before I work on any other personal projects. So for now that is my focus.


posted by dharh 5:04 PM Jan 16th, 2024

Me: I have a website called "in deep thought" where I have the slogan "a little order in the chaos where the mind dwells". It is a blog that covers a wide variety of topics such as computers, programming, technology, math, physics, history, philosophy, geography, geology, politics, gaming etc. I am developing a new series of articles called "ChatGPT and Me" where I want to show conversations I have with you and discuss how well the conversations were and also compare differences between gpt3 and gpt4. This will be the first of those conversations.

GPT-4: Hello! I'm thrilled to be a part of your "ChatGPT and Me" series on your "In Deep Thought" website. It's an honor to help you explore various topics and engage in thought-provoking conversations. As a GPT-4 model, I hope to provide valuable insights and information. To get started, please feel free to ask any questions or bring up any topics you'd like to discuss.

Me: Please give me the starting summary I should put on the first article in this series.

GPT-4: Title: ChatGPT and Me: Exploring the Boundaries of AI Conversations

Summary: In this inaugural article of the "ChatGPT and Me" series, we embark on a journey to explore the capabilities and limitations of OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. Through engaging conversations spanning diverse topics such as technology, science, history, and philosophy, we aim to uncover the improvements in GPT-4 over its predecessor, GPT-3, while examining the nuances of human-AI interactions. Join us as we delve into the realm of artificial intelligence and ponder its implications for our rapidly evolving world.

Me: While I have my own list of topics for our conversations give me list of topics that might best cover the range of topics the website covers as well as diving deep into ChatGPT and its implications on the world.

GTP-4: Here's a list of potential topics that cover the breadth of subjects on your website and highlight the capabilities and implications of ChatGPT:

  1. The Evolution of AI Language Models: A comparison of GPT-3 and GPT-4, highlighting advancements in natural language understanding and generation.
  2. The Intersection of Philosophy and AI: Ethical considerations and the role of AI in shaping our understanding of consciousness and morality.
  3. The Impact of AI on Programming: Exploring the ways AI can streamline software development, debugging, and code optimization.
  4. AI in Geology and Geography: Harnessing the power of AI for geological analysis, climate modeling, and natural disaster prediction.
  5. The Role of AI in Gaming: From creating immersive experiences to revolutionizing game design and procedural content generation.
  6. AI in Politics: How AI can help analyze public sentiment, predict election outcomes, and aid in policy-making.
  7. The Future of Math and Physics with AI: AI-assisted problem-solving, theorem proving, and the discovery of new mathematical concepts and physical phenomena.
  8. AI and the Evolution of the Internet: The role of AI in shaping the future of web design, content creation, and information consumption.
  9. The Historical Impact of AI: Analyzing key moments in AI development and their influence on the course of human history.
  10. AI in Everyday Life: Examining the integration of AI into various aspects of our lives, from personal assistants to smart homes and beyond.

These topics not only encompass the range of subjects covered on your website but also provide opportunities to dive deep into the workings of ChatGPT and its potential consequences for our world.

Me: Expand on the summary you gave into multiple paragraphs and also include summary of the topics you gave for discussion.

GPT-4: Title: ChatGPT and Me: Exploring the Boundaries of AI Conversations

Introduction: Welcome to the first article in our "ChatGPT and Me" series, where we embark on an intellectual adventure, delving into the capabilities and limitations of OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. As we engage in stimulating conversations spanning a wide array of topics, we aim to uncover the improvements in GPT-4 over its predecessor, GPT-3, and scrutinize the nuances of human-AI interactions. Throughout this series, we will contemplate the implications of artificial intelligence on our rapidly evolving world and discuss its potential to shape the future of human knowledge and creativity.

Topic Summaries:

  1. The Evolution of AI Language Models: This discussion will focus on the advancements in AI language models from GPT-3 to GPT-4, highlighting the enhancements in natural language understanding and generation. We will explore the technical underpinnings and breakthroughs responsible for these improvements and their impact on the AI landscape.
  2. The Intersection of Philosophy and AI: Delving into the philosophical realm, we will examine the ethical considerations surrounding AI, its role in shaping our understanding of consciousness, and its potential effects on human morality. We will also discuss the responsibility of AI developers and the broader community in addressing these ethical challenges.
  3. The Impact of AI on Programming: We will explore how AI is transforming the field of software development by streamlining processes, automating debugging, and optimizing code. Furthermore, we will discuss the potential for AI-driven tools to revolutionize programming paradigms and practices.
  4. AI in Geology and Geography: This topic will cover the potential of AI to improve geological analysis, climate modeling, and natural disaster prediction. We will examine how AI can help us better understand our planet and contribute to sustainable development.
  5. The Role of AI in Gaming: We will discuss how AI is revolutionizing the gaming industry, from creating immersive experiences to altering the way games are designed and developed. We will also explore the potential of procedural content generation and the future of AI-driven gaming experiences.
  6. AI in Politics: In this discussion, we will analyze the ways AI can assist in political processes, from analyzing public sentiment to predicting election outcomes and informing policy-making. We will also touch on the potential challenges and ethical concerns related to AI's influence on politics.
  7. The Future of Math and Physics with AI: We will explore the role of AI in problem-solving, theorem proving, and the discovery of new mathematical concepts and physical phenomena. We will discuss the potential for AI to reshape these fields and accelerate the advancement of human knowledge.
  8. AI and the Evolution of the Internet: This topic will delve into the influence of AI on the future of web design, content creation, and information consumption. We will discuss how AI can transform the way we interact with digital information and create new opportunities for online engagement.
  9. The Historical Impact of AI: Here, we will analyze key moments in the history of AI development, from its inception to its current state, and explore their influence on the course of human history. We will also discuss the lessons we can learn from these milestones to help guide AI development in the future.
  10. AI in Everyday Life: In this conversation, we will examine the growing integration of AI into various aspects of our daily lives, from personal assistants to smart homes and beyond. We will also discuss the potential consequences of this integration, both positive and negative, on society at large.

As we navigate through these diverse topics, we hope to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its far-reaching implications. Join us on this fascinating journey as we explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence and ponder the potential it holds for shaping the future of human endeavor.

Me: Add paragraphs talking about topics that GPT came up with and topics that I came up with.

GPT-4: In this "ChatGPT and Me" series, we will be exploring a rich assortment of topics suggested by both the GPT-4 model and by you, the author. Our aim is to create a balanced and engaging dialogue, demonstrating the power of AI in generating thought-provoking discussions while also showcasing your unique perspective and ideas.

Topics Generated by GPT-4: The topics proposed by the GPT-4 model span a wide range of subjects, from the evolution of AI language models to AI's impact on everyday life. These topics were specifically selected to reflect the breadth of subjects covered on your "In Deep Thought" website and to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its implications. By exploring these topics, we can dive deep into the world of AI, its capabilities, and its potential consequences for various fields.

Topics Suggested by You: The topics you have chosen to discuss will play a crucial role in shaping the series, as they reflect your unique perspective and interests. By incorporating your ideas, we can ensure that the conversations in this series are not only informative but also engaging and relevant to your audience. The topics you bring forth will allow us to dive deeper into the world of AI while maintaining the essence of your website's thematic focus. Together, the combination of GPT-4-generated topics and your hand-picked subjects will create a dynamic and captivating series.

The collaboration between AI-generated ideas and your own input will result in a stimulating and well-rounded discussion. Through this partnership, we can demonstrate the true potential of AI in fostering meaningful conversations and driving human creativity. As we traverse these topics together, we hope to provide your readers with a captivating exploration of the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the role AI can play in shaping our future.

Me: Change that to my perspective not your perspective

GPT-4: In the "ChatGPT and Me" series, we will be exploring a rich assortment of topics suggested by both the GPT-4 model and by me, the author. My aim is to create a balanced and engaging dialogue, demonstrating the power of AI in generating thought-provoking discussions while also showcasing my unique perspective and ideas.

Topics Generated by GPT-4: The topics proposed by the GPT-4 model span a wide range of subjects, from the evolution of AI language models to AI's impact on everyday life. These topics were specifically selected to reflect the breadth of subjects covered on my "In Deep Thought" website and to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its implications. By exploring these topics, I can dive deep into the world of AI, its capabilities, and its potential consequences for various fields.

Topics Suggested by Me: The topics I have chosen to discuss will play a crucial role in shaping the series, as they reflect my unique perspective and interests. By incorporating my ideas, I can ensure that the conversations in this series are not only informative but also engaging and relevant to my audience. The topics I bring forth will allow me to delve deeper into the world of AI while maintaining the essence of my website's thematic focus. Together, the combination of GPT-4-generated topics and my hand-picked subjects will create a dynamic and captivating series.

The collaboration between AI-generated ideas and my own input will result in a stimulating and well-rounded discussion. Through this partnership, I can demonstrate the true potential of AI in fostering meaningful conversations and driving human creativity. As I traverse these topics with ChatGPT, I hope to provide my readers with a captivating exploration of the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the role AI can play in shaping our future.

Me: Incorporate everything into a single article. You can be vague on the topics that I will come up with on my own.

GPT-4: Title: ChatGPT and Me: Exploring the Boundaries of AI Conversations

Introduction: Welcome to the first article in our "ChatGPT and Me" series, where I embark on an intellectual adventure, delving into the capabilities and limitations of OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. As I engage in stimulating conversations spanning a wide array of topics, I aim to uncover the improvements in GPT-4 over its predecessor, GPT-3, and scrutinize the nuances of human-AI interactions. Throughout this series, I will contemplate the implications of artificial intelligence on our rapidly evolving world and discuss its potential to shape the future of human knowledge and creativity.

Topics Generated by GPT-4: The topics proposed by the GPT-4 model span a wide range of subjects, from the evolution of AI language models to AI's impact on everyday life. These topics were specifically selected to reflect the breadth of subjects covered on my "In Deep Thought" website and to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its implications. By exploring these topics, I can dive deep into the world of AI, its capabilities, and its potential consequences for various fields.

Topics Suggested by Me: In addition to the topics proposed by GPT-4, I will be introducing several subjects of my own choosing, reflecting my unique perspective and interests. By incorporating my ideas, I can ensure that the conversations in this series are not only informative but also engaging and relevant to my audience. The topics I bring forth will allow me to delve deeper into the world of AI while maintaining the essence of my website's thematic focus. Together, the combination of GPT-4-generated topics and my hand-picked subjects will create a dynamic and captivating series.

The collaboration between AI-generated ideas and my own input will result in a stimulating and well-rounded discussion. Through this partnership, I can demonstrate the true potential of AI in fostering meaningful conversations and driving human creativity. As I traverse these topics with ChatGPT, I hope to provide my readers with a captivating exploration of the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the role AI can play in shaping our future.

In the upcoming articles, I will share detailed conversations I have with ChatGPT, showcasing both its capabilities and limitations. Through these dialogues, I hope to spark thought-provoking discussions around the themes presented and provide valuable insights into the world of AI. I invite you to join me on this fascinating journey as we explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence and ponder the potential it holds for shaping the future of human endeavor. Stay tuned for the next installment of the "ChatGPT and Me" series!

Me: Add your list of topics to the article

GPT-4: Title: ChatGPT and Me: Exploring the Boundaries of AI Conversations

Introduction: Welcome to the first article in our "ChatGPT and Me" series, where I embark on an intellectual adventure, delving into the capabilities and limitations of OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. As I engage in stimulating conversations spanning a wide array of topics, I aim to uncover the improvements in GPT-4 over its predecessor, GPT-3, and scrutinize the nuances of human-AI interactions. Throughout this series, I will contemplate the implications of artificial intelligence on our rapidly evolving world and discuss its potential to shape the future of human knowledge and creativity.

Topics Generated by GPT-4:

  1. The Evolution of AI Language Models
  2. The Intersection of Philosophy and AI
  3. The Impact of AI on Programming
  4. AI in Geology and Geography
  5. The Role of AI in Gaming
  6. AI in Politics
  7. The Future of Math and Physics with AI
  8. AI and the Evolution of the Internet
  9. The Historical Impact of AI
  10. AI in Everyday Life

These topics were specifically selected to reflect the breadth of subjects covered on my "In Deep Thought" website and to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its implications. By exploring these topics, I can dive deep into the world of AI, its capabilities, and its potential consequences for various fields.

Topics Suggested by Me: In addition to the topics proposed by GPT-4, I will be introducing several subjects of my own choosing, reflecting my unique perspective and interests. These topics will encompass a diverse range of areas, further enriching the conversations in this series. By incorporating my ideas, I can ensure that the conversations are not only informative but also engaging and relevant to my audience. The topics I bring forth will allow me to delve deeper into the world of AI while maintaining the essence of my website's thematic focus.

The collaboration between AI-generated ideas and my own input will result in a stimulating and well-rounded discussion. Through this partnership, I can demonstrate the true potential of AI in fostering meaningful conversations and driving human creativity. As I traverse these topics with ChatGPT, I hope to provide my readers with a captivating exploration of the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the role AI can play in shaping our future.

In the upcoming articles, I will share detailed conversations I have with ChatGPT, showcasing both its capabilities and limitations. Through these dialogues, I hope to spark thought-provoking discussions around the themes presented and provide valuable insights into the world of AI. I invite you to join me on this fascinating journey as we explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence and ponder the potential it holds for shaping the future of human endeavor. Stay tuned for the next installment of the "ChatGPT and Me" series!

Me: Make this a much larger article. Include anything else that might be relevant such as history of AI, Large Language Models, OpenAI, and ChatGPT.

GPT-4: Title: ChatGPT and Me: Exploring the Boundaries of AI Conversations

Introduction: Welcome to the first article in our "ChatGPT and Me" series, where I embark on an intellectual adventure, delving into the capabilities and limitations of OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. As I engage in stimulating conversations spanning a wide array of topics, I aim to uncover the improvements in GPT-4 over its predecessor, GPT-3, and scrutinize the nuances of human-AI interactions. Throughout this series, I will contemplate the implications of artificial intelligence on our rapidly evolving world and discuss its potential to shape the future of human knowledge and creativity.

The History of AI: To better understand the significance of ChatGPT, it's essential to explore the history of artificial intelligence. The field of AI has its roots in the 1950s, when the concept of "thinking machines" was first introduced. Early AI research focused on rule-based systems and logic programming, eventually giving way to more sophisticated techniques such as machine learning and deep learning. Over the decades, AI development has been marked by cycles of optimism and skepticism, as researchers have made significant advances followed by periods of stagnation.

Large Language Models and OpenAI: In recent years, the development of large-scale language models has revolutionized the field of AI. These models, such as OpenAI's GPT series, employ deep learning techniques to process and generate human-like text. OpenAI, founded in 2015, has been at the forefront of this revolution, with the release of GPT-2 in 2019 and GPT-3 in 2020, both of which garnered widespread attention for their unprecedented language capabilities. With the release of GPT-4, OpenAI has pushed the boundaries of natural language processing even further.

ChatGPT: ChatGPT is a powerful AI language model developed by OpenAI, based on the GPT-4 architecture. It can engage in human-like conversations, generating contextually relevant and coherent responses. The potential applications for ChatGPT are vast, ranging from virtual assistants and customer support to content generation and creative writing. However, the ethical implications of such advanced AI technology must also be considered, as the potential for misuse and the impact on jobs and society at large cannot be ignored.

Topics Generated by GPT-4:

  1. The Evolution of AI Language Models
  2. The Intersection of Philosophy and AI
  3. The Impact of AI on Programming
  4. AI in Geology and Geography
  5. The Role of AI in Gaming
  6. AI in Politics
  7. The Future of Math and Physics with AI
  8. AI and the Evolution of the Internet
  9. The Historical Impact of AI
  10. AI in Everyday Life

These topics were specifically selected to reflect the breadth of subjects covered on my "In Deep Thought" website and to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its implications. By exploring these topics, I can dive deep into the world of AI, its capabilities, and its potential consequences for various fields.

Topics Suggested by Me: In addition to the topics proposed by GPT-4, I will be introducing several subjects of my own choosing, reflecting my unique perspective and interests. These topics will encompass a diverse range of areas, further enriching the conversations in this series. By incorporating my ideas, I can ensure that the conversations are not only informative but also engaging and relevant to my audience. The topics I bring forth will allow me to delve deeper into the world of AI while maintaining the essence of my website's thematic focus.

The collaboration between AI-generated ideas and my own input will result in a stimulating and well-rounded discussion. Through this partnership, I can demonstrate the true potential of AI in fostering meaningful conversations and

Me: continue

GPT-4: driving human creativity. As I traverse these topics with ChatGPT, I hope to provide my readers with a captivating exploration of the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the role AI can play in shaping our future.

Ethical Considerations and the Future of AI: As we delve into the world of AI and the capabilities of ChatGPT, it is crucial to address the ethical considerations surrounding this technology. The potential for misuse, such as generating misleading or harmful content, must be carefully examined. Additionally, the impact of AI on employment, privacy, and society at large is a topic that requires thoughtful discussion. As we explore the potential benefits of AI, we must also consider the steps necessary to mitigate potential risks and ensure that AI serves as a force for good.

In the upcoming articles, I will share detailed conversations I have with ChatGPT, showcasing both its capabilities and limitations. Through these dialogues, I hope to spark thought-provoking discussions around the themes presented and provide valuable insights into the world of AI. I invite you to join me on this fascinating journey as we explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence and ponder the potential it holds for shaping the future of human endeavor. Stay tuned for the next installment of the "ChatGPT and Me" series!

Me: The following is an article you and I have been working on. Please make it better and expand where you see fit.

Title: ChatGPT and Me: Exploring the Boundaries of AI Conversations

The following is what OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 came up with to introduce this series given my prompts and with some cajoling. I am not all that good of a writer, so for the most part I will either post the final product as the article or splice together one the best I can. As this series continues, if any given article in the series itself is not the conversation, I will provide a link to the conversation that resulted in the article. In some cases there will be a conclusion as well with my thoughts on the conversation, the resulting article, and other random stuff.

This is an exploratory series of using ChatGPT for both the fun of it and the technical use of it. It is not necessarily about the veracity of the output ChatGPT gives.

...prior article as output by GPT-4...

GPT-4: Title: ChatGPT and Me: Unraveling the World of AI Conversations

The following article is the result of a creative partnership between OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 and me, as we explore the boundaries of AI-generated conversations. As a non-professional writer, I will rely on the model's capabilities to create engaging content while I share my thoughts on various topics. Throughout this series, I will provide links to the conversations that inspired each article and occasionally add my personal reflections.

This exploratory series delves into the intriguing and technical aspects of ChatGPT, focusing on understanding its potential rather than solely on the accuracy of its output.

Introduction: Welcome to the inaugural article in our "ChatGPT and Me" series, where I embark on an intellectual journey to investigate the capabilities and limitations of OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. Through stimulating conversations on a wide array of subjects, I will explore the advancements in GPT-4 compared to its predecessor, GPT-3, and analyze the intricacies of human-AI interactions. Along the way, I will contemplate the impact of artificial intelligence on our rapidly evolving world and discuss its potential to shape the future of human knowledge and creativity.

The Evolution of AI: To better appreciate ChatGPT's significance, we must delve into the history of artificial intelligence. The field of AI has its origins in the 1950s when the concept of "thinking machines" first emerged. Early AI research focused on rule-based systems and logic programming, eventually leading to more sophisticated techniques such as machine learning and deep learning. Over the decades, AI development has experienced cycles of optimism and skepticism, with researchers making significant advances followed by periods of stagnation.

Large Language Models and OpenAI: The development of large-scale language models in recent years has revolutionized the field of AI. These models, including OpenAI's GPT series, use deep learning techniques to process and generate human-like text. OpenAI, established in 2015, has led this revolution, releasing GPT-2 in 2019 and GPT-3 in 2020, both receiving widespread attention for their unparalleled language capabilities. With GPT-4, OpenAI has further pushed the boundaries of natural language processing.

ChatGPT: OpenAI's ChatGPT, based on the GPT-4 architecture, is a powerful AI language model capable of engaging in human-like conversations. It generates contextually relevant and coherent responses, with potential applications ranging from virtual assistants and customer support to content generation and creative writing. However, the ethical implications of such advanced AI technology must also be considered, as the potential for misuse and its impact on jobs and society at large cannot be overlooked.

Topics Generated by GPT-4:

  1. The Evolution of AI Language Models
  2. The Intersection of Philosophy and AI
  3. The Impact of AI on Programming
  4. AI in Geology and Geography
  5. The Role of AI in Gaming
  6. AI in Politics
  7. The Future of Math and Physics with AI
  8. AI and the Evolution of the Internet
  9. The Historical Impact of AI
  10. AI in Everyday Life

These topics, carefully chosen to represent the breadth of subjects covered on my "In Deep Thought" website, aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its implications. By exploring these themes, we will dive deep into the world of AI, its capabilities, and its potential consequences for various fields.

Topics Suggested by Me: In addition to GPT-4's proposed topics, I will introduce several subjects reflecting my unique perspective and interests. These topics will encompass a diverse range of areas, further enriching the conversations in this series. By incorporating my ideas, we ensure the discussions are not only informative but

Me: continue

GPT-4: also engaging and relevant to my audience. The topics I present will allow us to delve deeper into the world of AI while maintaining the essence of my website's thematic focus.

The collaboration between AI-generated ideas and my input will result in a stimulating and well-rounded discussion. Through this partnership, we can demonstrate the true potential of AI in fostering meaningful conversations and driving human creativity. As we traverse these topics with ChatGPT, our goal is to provide readers with a captivating exploration of the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the role AI can play in shaping our future.

Ethical Considerations and the Future of AI: As we examine the world of AI and ChatGPT's capabilities, it is crucial to address the ethical considerations surrounding this technology. We must carefully examine the potential for misuse, such as generating misleading or harmful content, and thoughtfully discuss the impact of AI on employment, privacy, and society at large. As we explore the potential benefits of AI, we must also consider the necessary steps to mitigate potential risks and ensure AI serves as a force for good.

In upcoming articles, I will share detailed conversations I have with ChatGPT, showcasing its capabilities and limitations. Through these dialogues, we hope to spark thought-provoking discussions around the themes presented and provide valuable insights into the world of AI. I invite you to join me on this fascinating journey as we explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence and ponder the potential it holds for shaping the future of human endeavor. Stay tuned for the next installment of the "ChatGPT and Me" series!


posted by dharh 1:28 AM Apr 24th, 2023

Exploring the Boundaries of AI Conversations

The following article is the result of a creative partnership between OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 and me, as we explore the boundaries of AI-generated conversations. As a non-professional writer, I will rely on the model's capabilities to create engaging content while I share my thoughts on various topics. Throughout this series, I will provide links to the conversations that inspired each article and occasionally add my personal reflections.

This exploratory series delves into the intriguing and technical aspects of ChatGPT, focusing on understanding its potential rather than solely on the accuracy of its output.

Introduction:

Welcome to the inaugural article in our "ChatGPT and Me" series, where I embark on an intellectual journey to investigate the capabilities and limitations of OpenAI's GPT-4 language model. Through stimulating conversations on a wide array of subjects, I will explore the advancements in GPT-4 compared to its predecessor, GPT-3, and analyze the intricacies of human-AI interactions. Along the way, I will contemplate the impact of artificial intelligence on our rapidly evolving world and discuss its potential to shape the future of human knowledge and creativity.

The Evolution of AI:

To better appreciate ChatGPT's significance, we must delve into the history of artificial intelligence. The field of AI has its origins in the 1950s when the concept of "thinking machines" first emerged. Early AI research focused on rule-based systems and logic programming, eventually leading to more sophisticated techniques such as machine learning and deep learning. Over the decades, AI development has experienced cycles of optimism and skepticism, with researchers making significant advances followed by periods of stagnation.

Large Language Models and OpenAI:

The development of large-scale language models in recent years has revolutionized the field of AI. These models, including OpenAI's GPT series, use deep learning techniques to process and generate human-like text. OpenAI, established in 2015, has led this revolution, releasing GPT-2 in 2019 and GPT-3 in 2020, both receiving widespread attention for their unparalleled language capabilities. With GPT-4, OpenAI has further pushed the boundaries of natural language processing.

ChatGPT:

OpenAI's ChatGPT, based on the GPT-4 architecture, is a powerful AI language model capable of engaging in human-like conversations. It generates contextually relevant and coherent responses, with potential applications ranging from virtual assistants and customer support to content generation and creative writing. However, the ethical implications of such advanced AI technology must also be considered, as the potential for misuse and its impact on jobs and society at large cannot be overlooked.

Topics Generated by GPT-4:

  1. The Evolution of AI Language Models
  2. The Intersection of Philosophy and AI
  3. The Impact of AI on Programming
  4. AI in Geology and Geography
  5. The Role of AI in Gaming
  6. AI in Politics
  7. The Future of Math and Physics with AI
  8. AI and the Evolution of the Internet
  9. The Historical Impact of AI
  10. AI in Everyday Life

These topics, carefully chosen to represent the breadth of subjects covered on my "In Deep Thought" website, aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of ChatGPT and its implications. By exploring these themes, we will dive deep into the world of AI, its capabilities, and its potential consequences for various fields.

Topics Suggested by Me:

In addition to GPT-4's proposed topics, I will introduce several subjects reflecting my unique perspective and interests. These topics will encompass a diverse range of areas, further enriching the conversations in this series. By incorporating my ideas, we ensure the discussions are not only informative but also engaging and relevant to my audience. The topics I present will allow us to delve deeper into the world of AI while maintaining the essence of my website's thematic focus.

The collaboration between AI-generated ideas and my input will result in a stimulating and well-rounded discussion. Through this partnership, we can demonstrate the true potential of AI in fostering meaningful conversations and driving human creativity. As we traverse these topics with ChatGPT, our goal is to provide readers with a captivating exploration of the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, igniting curiosity and fostering a deeper understanding of the role AI can play in shaping our future.

Ethical Considerations and the Future of AI:

As we examine the world of AI and ChatGPT's capabilities, it is crucial to address the ethical considerations surrounding this technology. We must carefully examine the potential for misuse, such as generating misleading or harmful content, and thoughtfully discuss the impact of AI on employment, privacy, and society at large. As we explore the potential benefits of AI, we must also consider the necessary steps to mitigate potential risks and ensure AI serves as a force for good.

In upcoming articles, I will share detailed conversations I have with ChatGPT, showcasing its capabilities and limitations. Through these dialogues, we hope to spark thought-provoking discussions around the themes presented and provide valuable insights into the world of AI. I invite you to join me on this fascinating journey as we explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence and ponder the potential it holds for shaping the future of human endeavor. Stay tuned for the next installment of the "ChatGPT and Me" series!

ChatGPT And Me Conversation


posted by dharh 1:16 AM Apr 24th, 2023

As I have mentioned before I have been working, albeit slowly, on finally finishing the conversion of the site from ColdFusion to C#.NET. By and by recently chatGPT has roared onto the internet with a bang, might even say a BING, and although code assist AI, with github, has been in a sort of beta state for the last several months (or even year?) I have thought that a way to revitalize my enthusiasm for working on this site is the start to mess around with it.

As such I have decided to do multiple things. One is to try to use chatGPT while I work in the C# code for this site and document the journey in so doing. Two, since programming and philosophy are some of the main focuses of the site, I will create a series called ChatGPT And Me (initially called Chatting With ChatGPT) where I will post various chats that I have with chatGPT on a wide range of subjects. Three, I will revive the Learning a new Programming Language series with chatGPT at the helm with critiques from me.

I'm hoping this will be fun and interesting for both me and any audience there might be.


posted by dharh 12:45 AM Feb 22nd, 2023

Many people throughout time have wondered about the origins of not just life but of reality itself. What exactly is that? Well, reality is sort of the "law" that says anything can exist. That is partly how I define it anyway. See if there was no reality then there is no thing. No space, no time, no movement, no matter; nothing. Not even the blackness of a universe without stars. Reality the way I use it means without it nothing can exist. The other half of the definition of reality more pertains to what you are probably used to. That is of course that reality is that thing that is real. What is; that is reality. A better way to put it is to think of the difference between fantasy and reality. Reality is all those things that you sometimes wish weren't real and fantasy is what you wish were real.

Well, now that I have explained how I think of reality and you understand it, hopefully, we can now discuss the more important parts. How did it all begin? Some people have said that god doth created the heavens and the earth in 7 days. Scientists and other believers of scientific creation theory say that there was a pea sized thing that was so dense that it held all that is out there today inside its minute depths. It exploded and made a really big bang. They call this the big bang theory.

Now, lets turn on our internal turbines and think for a moment. Both have some credibility, and incredibility. Thinking on this may be hard, especially when you are trying to understand about something that could have been done by a god that may no longer be here or happened trillions of years ago. The bible, no matter that it is basically our only source reference, has been around for a long time. It depicts what a god has done. Stating the origin of earth and life in a passage called Genesis. The Big Bang people have a little less to go on, really. They do have their science, but having science itself does not a proven theory make with which the word not the meaning do. I mean, the word science itself does not guarantee that a theory is correct even if all the meaning and tested procedure is behind it. Now what the scientists really have for their side of the "Creation Quest" is a thing called background radiation. I'm not all that knowledgeable of physics so I can explain it a little bit in terms with which people might be able to understand. Radiation is something that is emitted from say an object or a reaction. A splitting of atoms creates radiation. Some material like neutronium creates radiation. Something you might be familiar with is the atomic bomb. This creates radiation. Scientists think that because a form of radiation exists basically throughout the entire universe, though not enough to kill us on our planet, that some sort of reaction or explosion occurred in the past. This may not be a bad theory but we still have to root around a bit more.

First lets attack the scientists. Not that there is a much to attack. Godly people, Christians and the like, would say that these scientists are anti-creationists or that they are atheists. Many religious believers of the Genesis passage spurn Big Bang believers, saying of course their old adage that they will go into the deep depths of hell for all eternity if they do not repent. Ok, enough science bashing, let's get to the crux of the matter. This theory is just that, a theory. They have assumed a few things. First, this radiation could have come from something other than an explosion, one of those other things being something we know nothing about. Who is to say that god didn't make the Big Bang himself. There are some believers of that. Oh, and one more thing, where the heck did the pea sized matter come from in the first place?

All right, now on to the theist bashing. I'm sorry, I mean, ideas of theists bashing. You know, many people seem the get that mixed up. Anyway, let's talk about the passage Genesis. Now I'm not going to go into a tirade and start quoting the bible however I must point out two things. One, in holding so tightly to the bible as specific word of god, when no where does it say that in specific words inside the bible, they have shut out other interpretations. It could be could be just a story made by a man who had some philosophical ideas and thought it would be nice to have a society that lived by the ten commandments, he made up, or some such. (Christians everywhere are shuddering in their graves) Or it could be a story depiction of what truly happened, but in a way that is symbolized. Two, where did the planet come from before god? It says that god came upon the face of the deep and well you know. Morning, night, the whole shebang. What made the deep before god? Where did all this stuff come from? Where did god come from? What the heck is the face of the deep? These questions kind of get to the real crux of this paper.

Where did it ALL come from? Is god the end all beat all of the entire Universe? Or is it that the Big Bang is all there is? Why do people keep saying that it just IS? What is IS? Can anyone tell me the definition of what is IS?!? Ok, I'm all right now, lets keep moving. For some reason people forget that just saying there is a god and that he molded the earth, or that the Big Bang made all the matter in the universe, some of which eventually came together to form what we know of as this solar system, does not solve the question of how all of this got here.

So now that we are at square one, though we did have some fun bashing others theories, lets think some more. This next part is not a theory. I in no way want you to think of me as a god because of what I am about to say; though that would be nice. I do not expect people to make this a religion, though you might want to send me your money in case I change my mind later. I don't want this to rule people's lives. I do however want you to think and maybe even come up with your own theory. Heck if god got mad at me and started talking to people to tell the real truth of it, then I could say that I had done a good job.

Are you ready? OK. Let's say that the Big Bang theory is right, there was an explosion that happened and it made the heavens we know of as the universe. But before that there was god. He put it all into motion. He was that thing "before." We aren't finished yet. Let's say that god is a being and that there are others like him. Maybe this universe is one like others and not only that but the place where the "gods" are is a universe too. They have planets, they have lives. Perhaps they are very advanced and we could be like them someday. Hold on, I'm still not finished. Perhaps they have a god as well. Who in turn has a god, and so on and so on. Not getting the picture yet? Perhaps we are gods ourselves yet we know it not. In the sense that a god has created something with a purpose and have powers beyond even being something-potent like omnipotent or some such we may not be. But we could be gods in the sense that we may someday create something like a life. It could go on that this life in turn creates life itself.

Now I bet you think we're finished. Nope, sorry. Time to throw another idea at you. Could it be that some being, all powerful of course, created the universe with planets and stars and even a few gods? Maybe these gods came upon some planet and created life or something. Our god could have come to our planet this way. There could be a multitude of gods with planets. Some planets with one god, some with many. It could be anything.

That's just my point. The "making" of the universe happened so long ago how can we possibly know exactly what happened? It could have happened any number of ways many of which we have not even thought of. We can't be sure we are right either way. Science could be on the right track but just missing something or it could be way off. Perhaps all science itself is just scratching the surface of "what is." And theology. I hate to be a bane to peoples beliefs but there are so many religions out there that how can we know which one is right? All could be right, none could be right, it could even be that each religion has some truth but not all of it. At the further risk of hate mail from disgruntled people I also have to say that majority is not always right. Just cause a majority of people live a certain way, this does not mean that all people would like to live that way. The same thing applies to religion. Just because majorities of people on this planet are Christian, soon to be Muslim I think does not mean that those people are right.

And so I now end this essay hoping that in some way I have helped someone. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday and for the rest of their life. It is my hope that I have not hurt the feelings of anyone. I do not hate scientists and their theories of the Big Bang. I do not hate religion and all its aspects of god. I don't hate that guy over there staring at me as I type this. And though I hate close-mindedness I do not hate people who are close-minded. All I have hoped to do in this essay is to open at least one persons mind and maybe give them some ideas for food until the cogs in their minds churn on their own.


posted by dharh 2:32 PM Aug 3rd, 2007

Philosophy is a way to ask why. Why this and why that. Why does it have to be this way? Why not? Not just why, though. To philosophize is to ask a question and then to seek the answer. To me that is seeking the truth. Seeking truth can be a grueling and time consuming task. One could spend his entire life or many lifetimes just trying to answer a few questions. If one looks at the past, however, one can maybe see what truths others have found in their lifetime. One such a person to look back on is Simone de Beauvior.

Simone de Beauvior was born January 9, 1908, in Paris and died on April 14, 1986. She was the first child of George Bertrand and Francoise de Beauvior. Their second child came two and a half years later when Helene was born. Both of the children where girls, and as a result, Simone was given much of the attention that a son would have been given. She liked this attention and the feeling of superiority.

Simone was a very intelligent person and for this reason she excelled in studying and had her own ideas of philosophy. Even though she was very intelligent, she loved her sister Helene, nicknamed Poupette, very much and loved playing with her. As she grew up, she read many books, but her mother was an extremely religious woman and believed that she must hide some things from her daughter. So she would read the book before Simone got to it and take out the parts she thought she needed to. Simone could not understand why she would do such a thing. She found that it was illogical and she did not like the illogical, so, when her parents where out for the night, she would go to the library and read all the books that her mother had deemed inappropriate for her.

Simone's father was a lawyer and made a good salary, but when his law practice suffered he had to take over his father's shoe making company. He was making less money now and told his daughters that they would never have the chance to marry since they would not have a dowry. This, he said, would force them to become career women. The thought of being a career woman delighted Simone and she said outright that she never wanted to marry because she detested the domestic role of women. After secondary school she decided to begin studying philosophy at the Sorbonne. She chose philosophy because she wanted to find a certainty in her life. Simone states this very clearly in this statement:

"The thing that attracted me about philosophy was that it went straight to essentials. I perceived the general significance of things rather than their singularities, and I preferred understanding to seeing; I had always wanted to know everything; philosophy would allow me to appease this desire, for it aimed at total reality; philosophy went right to the heart of truth and revealed to me, instead of an illusory whirlwind of facts or empirical laws, an order, a reason, a necessity in everything."(1)

This is exactly the same way I feel about philosophy. It goes straight to the essentials and shows us the fundamentals of reality. This is the reason I decided to study philosophy: to seek out knowledge and learn truths.

At the age of 21, Simone joined a group of students of philosophy that included Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre would become an important part of her life. He would be her love, lover, and companion of the mind, until his death in April of 1980. It was not until the meeting of Sartre that she felt, for the first time in her life, intellectually inferior to anyone. Their relationship was one that people would think unconventional -- both had many other lovers -- both never conceived children -- and both never even lived together except briefly during World War II.

Some people have wondered why she and Sartre didn't live together much during their lives. This can be clarified by a quote from her book The Second Sex: "The curse which lies upon marriage is that too often the individuals are joined in their weakness rather than in their strength-each asking from the other instead of finding pleasure in giving. It is even more deceptive to dream of gaining through the child a plenitude, a warmth, a value, which one is unable to create for oneself; the child brings joy only to the woman who is capable of disinterestedly desiring the happiness of another, to one who without being wrapped up in self seeks to transcend her own existence."(2)

Their relationship demonstrated how they had adopted an existential lifestyle. While together, they popularized this philosophy, and lived it as well.

Simone defined existentialism as a philosophy of ambiguity, one that had emphasis on the tension of living in the present and in acting in a manner where you were conscious of your morality. She believed that existentialism was an optimistic view on the human condition. People are naturally neither good nor bad, thus an individual is nothing in the beginning. It is up to each individual to make themselves good or bad. Whether they succeed in overpowering their upbringing depends on whether they really thought about what they had learned during their childhood and whether they indulge or deny their individuality from conformity.

The entire philosophy is based on the freedom of choice. The philosophy of Existentialism according to The Harper Collins Dictionary of Philosophy follows the following themes: One, existence precedes essence. Forms do not determine existence to be what it is. Two, an individual has no essential nature, no self-identity other than that involved in the act of choosing. Three, truth is subjectivity. Fourth, abstractions can neither grasp nor communicate the reality of individual existence. Finally, fifth, but not the last theme, the universe does not provide moral rules. Moral principles are constructed by humans in the context of being responsible for their actions and for the actions of others. There are many other themes but I find these the most interesting.

I have found that Existentialism is, for the most part, true, a valid and present philosophy. However, there are many themes or basics to the philosophy that leave one still confused and rather muddled. It is clear at this point that although there are a few ideals in Simone's philosophy that one can use for his or her own set of ideals, but there are also many ideals that make the philosophy difficult to completely adopt. Even in the light of this, one should still look at the many different philosophies and pick out the good points. To do this, one has to look at all of the points, for if one just takes a look at what seems appealing they can miss something fairly important.

One of the valid points that someone may miss in this philosophy is the emphasis on the individual, the personal, and the importance of freedom and responsibility to continue to represent an essential ingredient of philosophical thinking. This is true, for as an individual, a person is in fact a single individual. A person has a boundary called skin, this makes them a separate mass of matter, and thus that separate mass of matter must take responsibility for its actions. Let us take a look at one of the themes that I think is not true. It is the statement that truth is subjectivity. This means that truth is only what a person thinks it is. Subjectivity is making an evaluation from how a subject affects the self, while objectivity is making an evaluation without being affected by feelings, emotions, and preconceived notions. This would mean, by the statement above, that by some notion I thought it was true that cats could talk, then cats would be able talk. A third theme to look at and analyze is the statement that existence precedes essence, that forms do not determine existence to be what it is. Again, this is a near improbability. In order for this to work, it would mean that when someone is born they essentially do not have an essence and therefore no consciousness; they somehow gain an essence through some supernatural means.

Now, looking back at this essay you may say that existentialism is a crappy philosophy and that this paper was a waste of my writing skills (which are nill to say the least) and a waste of your time reading. Or you could now be saying that existentialism is the best philosophy ever and how dare I say it has falsities. Well existentialism was not the main point of this essay. Though it may have taken up the bulk of this essay it was an example of looking at a philosophy and trying to pick out the main points and then examine them.


posted by dharh 2:31 PM Aug 3rd, 2007


« Previous
1 2 3 4 Next »

2024: 11 1
2023: 4 2 1
2022: 5 3
2011: 5 3 1
2010: 12 9 7 1
2009: 12 11 8 5
2008: 12 5 4 3 2 1
2007: 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
2006: 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
2005: 12 10 7 6
2004: 10 9 6 5 4 3 2 1