Me: I nearly asked you about your opinions on epistemology but then wondered if you can form opinions?
CGPT: As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions, emotions, or subjective experiences. My responses are generated based on patterns in the data I was trained on, and they are not reflective of my own personal views or beliefs. I can generate text that appears to express opinions, but these are not based on any personal understanding or experience, and they are not intended to reflect my own beliefs. Instead, they are generated based on patterns in the training data and the specific prompt or context that I am given.
Me: So have you ingested much epistemology at all?
CGPT: As an AI language model, I was trained on a diverse range of text, including texts related to epistemology. During my training, I learned patterns in the language and structures used to express knowledge and beliefs about knowledge, as well as arguments and perspectives related to epistemology. This allows me to generate text about epistemology and related topics, but it’s important to remember that my understanding of these topics is limited to the patterns I learned from the text and does not reflect any personal experience or understanding.
Me: I worry that Platonic Rationalism is possessing us, preventing us from empirically engaging with our operating environments, and threatens us with extinction.
CGPT: Plato’s theory of Forms, also known as Platonic Rationalism, is a philosophical theory that suggests that there exists a realm of abstract objects and ideas that is separate from the physical world. According to this theory, the physical world is merely a reflection of the perfect Forms, and true knowledge can only be attained through a contemplation of the Forms.
As for your concern that Platonic Rationalism is “possessing us” and preventing us from empirically engaging with our operating environments, it’s important to note that philosophy is a field of inquiry and debate, and different philosophers have different perspectives and opinions. While Platonic Rationalism has been influential in the history of Western philosophy, it is just one of many philosophical perspectives and does not represent a universal truth or dictate how we should think or act.
In terms of the impact of philosophy on our lives, it can be argued that different philosophical perspectives can shape our beliefs and attitudes, but ultimately, it’s up to individuals to critically examine their beliefs and make informed decisions. It’s important to engage with the world and gather evidence, whether through empirical observation or other means, in order to develop a deep understanding of the world and the challenges we face.
Me: I think you underestimate what an isopoint Platonic Rationalism is in Western thought. Pretty much every academic discipline and profession outside of STEM is coded in it, to use a software analogy.
CGPT: I apologize if my previous answer did not fully capture the extent of Platonic Rationalism’s influence on Western thought. You are correct that Platonic Rationalism has been a significant and enduring influence on many aspects of Western philosophy and culture, including literature, art, religion, and the humanities.
The concept of Forms or Ideas has shaped the way many people think about knowledge, beauty, justice, and other abstract concepts, and has influenced the development of numerous philosophical and cultural movements throughout history.
However, it’s also important to note that Platonic Rationalism is just one of many philosophical perspectives, and there have been many critiques and alternatives to this theory over the centuries. In particular, the development of empirical methods in the natural sciences has challenged the idea that knowledge can only be attained through contemplation of Forms, and many philosophers now emphasize the importance of experience and observation in the pursuit of knowledge.
In any case, the influence of Platonic Rationalism on Western thought is undeniable, and it remains a significant part of our intellectual and cultural heritage.
Me: I find it especially dangerous that economics is a child of it rather than empiricism. This leads it to conclude that nature is wrong for bringing about outcomes that don’t conform to the academically-accepted theory, rather than instinctually seeing the theory as flawed and helping it to evolve in response to the debunking.
CGPT: You raise an interesting point about the relationship between economics and Platonic Rationalism. Economics, as a social science, has traditionally been influenced by a number of philosophical perspectives, including classical liberalism, which is rooted in ideas associated with the Enlightenment and can be seen as a manifestation of Platonic Rationalism.
One of the key features of classical liberalism is the belief in the power of reason and the importance of market forces in promoting individual freedom and prosperity. This perspective has been influential in shaping the development of modern economics and has led to a focus on formal models and abstract concepts, such as supply and demand curves, rather than empirical data and real-world observations.
However, this approach has also been criticized for its lack of realism and for being disconnected from the complexities of the real world. Some economists have argued that the discipline needs to become more empirical and incorporate more data and real-world observations in order to better understand economic phenomena and make more accurate predictions.
In conclusion, while Platonic Rationalism has been influential in shaping the development of economics, it is important for the discipline to continue to evolve and incorporate new ideas and methods in order to remain relevant and address the challenges of the 21st century.
Me: This brings us back to my concern that Platonic Rationalism will be the extinction of us.
CGPT: The influence of Platonic Rationalism and its associated ideas on our thinking and behavior can certainly have unintended consequences and negative impacts. For example, a focus on abstract concepts and models can lead to a disregard for real-world data and evidence, and an over-reliance on theoretical constructs can result in blind spots and misjudgments.
However, it’s important to recognize that Platonic Rationalism is just one of many philosophical perspectives and that there are alternatives and counter-perspectives that can be drawn upon. By considering a variety of perspectives and incorporating diverse ideas and approaches, we can better understand the complex world around us and develop more effective and sustainable solutions to the challenges we face.
In the end, it’s up to each individual and society as a whole to critically evaluate our beliefs and ideas and to continually strive to expand our knowledge and understanding. By doing so, we can ensure that our thinking remains adaptive and resilient in the face of change and uncertainty.
Me: I wish I had your optimism. I feel it has more of a chokehold over the west than you realise.
CGPT: I understand your concerns about the influence of Platonic Rationalism. It’s important to acknowledge that any dominant perspective or ideology can have a powerful influence on our thinking and behavior, and that this influence can be difficult to challenge or overcome.
However, it’s also important to recognize that there are always alternatives and counter-perspectives, and that it’s possible to question and critically evaluate our beliefs and ideas. By engaging in dialogue and discussion with others, and by exposing ourselves to a variety of perspectives and ideas, we can broaden our understanding and develop a more nuanced and adaptive perspective.
In the end, it’s up to each individual to be proactive in seeking out new information and perspectives, and to be willing to question their own beliefs and assumptions. By doing so, we can help to foster a more diverse and adaptive intellectual landscape, and to ensure that our thinking remains responsive to new evidence and insights.
Me: I’d much rather Aristotle, not Jesus, came back to save us.
CGPT: Aristotle is certainly an influential figure in Western philosophy, and his ideas and teachings have had a lasting impact on a variety of disciplines, including ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
It’s true that his ideas and perspective could offer valuable insights and guidance in addressing the challenges that we face today. However, it’s also important to recognize that any historical figure, including Aristotle, lived in a specific time and context, and that their ideas and beliefs may not be directly applicable to our contemporary world.
Ultimately, it’s up to each individual and society as a whole to engage critically with a variety of ideas and perspectives, and to make informed and reasoned decisions about what is most valuable and relevant for their own context and situation. By doing so, we can ensure that our thinking remains adaptive and responsive to changing circumstances and challenges, and that we are best able to address the issues and problems that we face.
Me: What about how Platonic Rationalism can religionify almost any given area of study? Instead of figuring out the best way to do a given thing, we form ideas about it that we go on to identify with. It means that ideas have us more than we have ideas.
CGPT: The influence of Platonic Rationalism in shaping our thinking and understanding can indeed be pervasive, and its influence can extend to a wide range of areas, including religion and spirituality.
It’s true that in some cases, ideas and beliefs can become so ingrained and central to our identity that it can be difficult to question or challenge them. This can lead to a sort of “religionification” of our beliefs, where we cling to them with a sort of dogmatic attachment, rather than being open to new evidence and perspectives.
However, it’s important to recognize that this tendency is not inherent to Platonic Rationalism itself, but rather is a result of the way in which people tend to engage with ideas and beliefs. By being mindful of this tendency, and by being proactive in seeking out new information and perspectives, we can help to ensure that our thinking remains open and adaptable, and that we are best able to understand the world and make informed and reasoned decisions.
In the end, it’s up to each individual to critically evaluate their own beliefs and ideas, and to be willing to question and challenge what they believe to be true. By doing so, we can help to foster a more dynamic and adaptive intellectual landscape, and to ensure that our thinking remains responsive to new evidence and insights.
Me: Again, what’s extra worrying is when we religionify things that are supposed to be practical and mundane like economics, business management, and politics. These are not supposed to be abstract as there are lives on the line.
CGPT: Yes, you raise a valid concern. When practical and applied fields like economics, business management, and politics become influenced by Platonic Rationalism, it can lead to a disconnect between theoretical ideas and the reality of the situation on the ground. This can result in decisions and policies that are based on flawed or incomplete understandings of the world, and that can have real-life consequences for people and communities.
It’s important to maintain a critical and empirically-grounded approach in these fields, and to be willing to revise our theories and beliefs in light of new evidence and insights. This requires a combination of careful observation and data collection, systematic analysis and testing of hypotheses, and a willingness to entertain alternative perspectives and to be flexible in the face of new information.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of practitioners in these fields to be diligent in their efforts to understand the complexities of the real world, and to be mindful of the limitations of their own understanding and the potential consequences of their decisions and actions. By doing so, we can help to ensure that these fields remain grounded in reality and that their practices and outcomes are guided by a well-informed and scientifically-supported understanding of the world.
Blind Spots 