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Most of these arguments are over some metaphysical definition of the word “intelligence”. As per later era Wittgenstein, I prefer to ignore these engagements a
by williamcotton 1mo ago
Most of these arguments are over some metaphysical definition of the word “intelligence”.
As per later era Wittgenstein, I prefer to ignore these engagements and focus more on the meaning-as-use approach.
What is the use of intelligence? What are the concrete outcomes of intelligence?
- airstrike 1mo agoThis seems like a complete waste of time given the more practical and more urgent need to clarify to everyone involved that current LLMs are not actually intelligent.
- williamcotton 1mo agoWhat an utterly unconvincing call to action. You’re not offering a rebuttal, just making another metaphysical claim about “intelligence.” You don’t even attempt to explain what practical distinction your use of the word is supposed to capture.
- jay_kyburz 1mo agoI think airstrike is joking. :)
- airstrike 1mo agoI appreciate the charitable interpretation but I was not even joking this time! :)
- jay_kyburz 1mo agoOh, in that case I agree strongly with William. I think the definition of intelligence a complete waste of time and the only real question is, can these tool solve problems for us? The answer is clearly yes, there are some problems they can. The really interesting question is still a few years away when we ask if we humans have the right to turn these things on and off? ;)
- airstrike 1mo ago"The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt." — Bertrand Russell. I'm not calling you to action, I'm explaining why I don't feel inclined to engage in philosophy and discuss "the concrete outcomes of intelligence" given a more pressing, pragmatic need. It feel it's self-evident that we must fight the good fight of dissuading as many people as possible of the notion that LLMs as we have today, and likely forever after, are actually intelligent. Delaying this fight allows the current, stupid belief to the contrary to fester. I don't think we'll win the majority of people over by debating the nuanced meaning of the word intelligence to a very precise degree. I think we ought to do it by shaming them every time LLMs fail.
- Gareth321 1mo agoI strongly agree. Is a human in a vegetative state sentient? What about when they're asleep? What about someone with brain damage? What about someone with an IQ of 20? Ray Kurzweil argues sentience is a philosophical question, and doesn't have much value as applied to science and technology. What will change the world is how this intelligence is applied. No one's going to care whether AGI is defined as sentient when it creates cheap fusion energy.
- zahlman 1mo ago> No one's going to care whether AGI is defined as sentient when it creates cheap fusion energy. No one's going to care after being converted into paperclips, either.