"Self-poisoned in this fashion, civilization looks as though it might easily decline into a kind of premature senility." This is the Cartesian distinction betw

"Self-poisoned in this fashion, civilization looks as though it might easily decline into a kind of premature senility." This is the Cartesian distinction between understanding and imagination. Imagination requires a peculiar effort of the soul, which AI is unable to exert. Understanding is knowing that a triangle's interior angles add up to 180 degrees. Imagination is understanding that and being able to represent the image in your mind.