Two Dialogs on Searle
03/31/25 05:45 PM Filed in: Dialogs | Philosophy | Natural Theology | Computing | Artificial Intelligence
If a computer can beat you at chess,
it can beat you at philosophy.
The first dialog explores the fundamental mistake Searle makes in his "Chinese Room Argument", namely that while in the general case syntax is insufficient for semantics, programming languages are semantics with syntax. I have written about Searle before (the latest here), but that's me making a case to an empty courtroom. Here, I carry on an adversarial conversation with Grok 3.0 and let it judge the result.
The second dialog considers where Searle can maintain his conclusion that computers cannot be conscious without his "syntax is insufficient for semantics" pillar except by denying the Church-Turing Hypothesis, which he affirms. My position is that he can't, Grok tried to show he can.
Grok is overly verbose, yet sometimes exhibits what appears to be keen insight and sometimes says things in a way that make me jealous that it can be a better wordsmith than me. Grok doesn't get mad, doesn't get frustrated, and doesn't get tired (at least as long as I maintain my $30/month subscription). It is a far more challenging opponent than I typically have access to.
In the future, these discussions will be multi-way with humans and chatbots pushing the boundaries, with the machines keeping everyone honest - demanding definitions, uncovering tacit assumptions, noticing loops, and keeping score. We will be able to save a transcript then ask ChatGPT to read it and comment on it. New insights can be added, repetitious material ignored. The possibility of positive transform is exciting.
Dialog 1 - Searle's mistake
Dialog 2 - Searle and the Church-Turing Hypothesis
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A Triptych at 70
03/29/25 10:42 AM Filed in: Life
A triptych for my 70th birthday.
My bartender went all out to celebrate my birthday. A decorated bar stool, birthday cake, and special tiara. She has two young girls, which explains her choice of tiara.
Becky found her high school senior graduation picture from 1976. I wouldn't meet her until three years later.
Grandchild number six, due October 15.
Dialog on Reframing Eden
03/28/25 10:27 AM Filed in: Dialogs | Christianity
If a computer can beat you at chess,
it can beat you at theology.
I think that the traditional reading of Eden misses two very important aspects. First, that the image of God includes the perspective "my ways are right, my will be done" and, second, that Adam was initially created alone. I think these two points change the arc of the Augustinian reading. I test this reframing of the story with Grok supporting the orthodox view.
Notice how human Grok can appear at times - how it enters loops and has to be shown that it's in a loop; how it doubles down when it has already been shown to be wrong. Unlike many humans, however, it's easier to get it to see that it's doing this and it's more amenable to changing its mind.
Grok on reframing Eden.
Dialog on Dispensationalism
03/25/25 08:09 PM Filed in: Dialogs | Christianity
If a computer can beat you at chess,
it can beat you at theology.
I have written on dispensationalism before: here, here.
Having had so much fun interacting with Grok on Limited Atonement, and the Regulative and Normative principles of worship, I engaged it with a discussion on Dispensationalism. I asked Grok to take the "in favor" side, while I took "against." Grok conceded.
Grok on dispensationalism.
Dialog on Regulative vs. Normative
If a computer can beat you at chess,
it can beat you at theology.
Having had so much fun interacting with Grok on Limited Atonement, and because a friend recently asked me if I was familiar with Primitive Baptist churches, I decided to have it debate me on the Regulative and Normative principles of worship. Grok defended the regulative principle, I defended the normative principle. Grok conceded the argument.
Grok on the regulative principle.