DOWNSIZING TEXT GENERATORS – UPGRADING HUMANS. A Thought Experiment

Author: Gerd Doeben-Henisch

Time: Nov 12, 2023 — Nov 12, 2023

Email: gerd@doeben-henisch.de

–!! This is not yet finished !!–

CONTEXT

This text belongs to the topic Philosophy (of Science).

INTRODUCTION

The ‘coming out’ of a new type of ‘text generator’ in November 2022 called ‘chatGPT’ — this is not the only one around — caused an explosion of publications and usages around the world. The author is working since about 40 years in this field and never did this happen before. What has happened? Is this the beginning of the end of humans being the main actors on this planet (yes, we know, not really the best until now) or is there something around and in-between which we do overlook captivated by these new text generators?

Reading many papers since that event, talking with people, experimenting directly with chatGPT4, continuing working with theories and working with people in a city by trying new forms of ‘citizens at work in their community’, slowly a picture was forming in my head how it could perhaps be possible to ‘benchmark’ text generators with human activities directly.

After several first trials everything came together when I could give a speech in the Goethe University in Frankfurt Friday Nov-10. [1] There was a wonderful audience with elderly people from the so-called University of the 3rd age … a bit different to young students 🙂

There was an idea that hit me like a bolt of lightning when I wrote it down afterwards: it is the fundamental role of literature for our understanding of world and people, which will be completely eliminated by using text generators. The number of written text will explode in the near future, but the meaning of the world will vanish more and more at the same time. You will see letters, but there will be no more meaning around. And with the meaning the world of humans will disappear. You won’t even be able to know yourself anymore.

Clearly, it can only happen if we substitute our own thinking and writing completely by text generators.

Is the author of this text a bit ‘ill’ to write down such ideas or are there some arguments around which make it clear why this can be the fate of humans after the year 2023?

SET-UP OF AN EXPERIMENT

[1] See the text written down after the speech: https://www.cognitiveagent.org/2023/11/06/kollektive-mensch-maschine-intelligenz-im-kontext-nach

chat GPT4: Cognitive Science, HCI, Rationality (Stanovich 2016), Dual-Process Theory (Kahnemann)

Last change: Nov 1, 2023

CONTEXT

This text belongs to the theme ‘chats with chatGPT4′.

After trying a review of the book from Stanovich et al. (2016) I have checked a possible contribution from chatGPT 4. As expected, chatGPT4 replicated all the common concepts which are used in the context of cognitive science and Stanovich as well as Kahnemann. All the real questions about methodological details have not been answered. Nevertheless, chatGPT4 lists all main concepts which one should know if one is dealing with these subjects, but that’s it. This is not really science, and has never to do with philosophy or philosophy of science.

PROTOCOL OF THE CHAT

User

What do you know about cognitive science

ChatGPT

Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the mind, intelligence, and behavior from multiple perspectives. At its core, it seeks to understand how the human mind works and how it might be replicated or modeled, including through artificial intelligence. The field encompasses a broad range of topics, from the basic processes of cognition to complex interactions with the environment. Here are some key aspects of cognitive science: 1. **Interdisciplinary Nature**: Cognitive science integrates methods and theories from several disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, anthropology, and biology. 2. **Research Areas**: – Perception: Understanding how organisms interpret sensory data. – Attention: Investigating how the mind allocates cognitive resources to various stimuli. – Memory: Exploring the processes involved in storing and retrieving information. – Language: Studying the cognitive processes underlying language acquisition, comprehension, and production. – Problem Solving and Decision Making: Analyzing how humans and other animals think, make decisions, and solve problems. – Consciousness: Examining the nature of subjective experience and self-awareness. 3. **Cognitive Neuroscience**: This branch of cognitive science looks at how brain structures and functions are related to cognitive processes. It makes use of technologies such as fMRI and EEG to study the brain in action. 4. **Computational Models**: Cognitive scientists often construct computational models to simulate aspects of human cognition. These models can range from symbolic representations that mimic logic and reasoning to connectionist models that emulate neural networks. 5. **Philosophy of Mind**: Philosophical questions about the nature of mind, the relationship between mind and body, and the nature of consciousness are central to cognitive science. Philosophy contributes questions about the nature of knowledge, perception, and the structure of language, influencing cognitive theories. 6. **Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)**: This field draws on cognitive science principles to improve the design of user interfaces and enhance user experience with technology. 7. **Education and Application**: Insights from cognitive science have been applied to education, informing teaching methods and instructional design to align with how the brain learns best. 8. **Artificial Intelligence**: Cognitive science and AI are deeply intertwined, with insights from the study of human cognition informing the development of algorithms and systems that aim to replicate aspects of human thought. Cognitive science continues to evolve, with new findings and technologies perpetually reshaping our understanding of the human mind. As it progresses, it offers potential advancements not only in AI but also in how we approach mental health, education, design, and a multitude of other areas that require an understanding of how we think and learn.

User

You are listing many disciplines engaged in cognitive science. How are all these disciplines interrelated?

ChatGPT

The disciplines within cognitive science are interrelated through their shared goal of understanding the mind and cognition. Here’s how each contributes to the field and how they intersect with each other: 1. **Psychology**: Psychology contributes experimental methods and theories about behavior and mental processes. It often serves as the basis for hypotheses about cognitive mechanisms that other disciplines then further investigate. 2. **Neuroscience**: Neuroscience provides insights into the brain structures and neural circuits that underlie cognitive functions. It adds a biological perspective to theories of cognition that can confirm, refute, or refine psychological theories. 3. **Linguistics**: Linguistics studies the structure, use, and psychology of language, which is a complex cognitive ability. Theories of syntax, semantics, and language acquisition inform models of how the brain processes language. 4. **Philosophy**: Philosophy addresses fundamental questions about the nature of knowledge, mind, reality, and values. It offers frameworks for understanding consciousness, intentionality, and the mind-body problem, which can inform empirical research. 5. **Computer Science**: Computer science, particularly artificial intelligence, contributes algorithms and computational models that mimic cognitive processes. The feedback loop between AI and cognitive science is strong: cognitive science inspires AI development, and AI provides tools and metaphors for understanding cognition. 6. **Anthropology**: Anthropology brings in the cultural dimension, studying how cognition varies across different human societies. This helps to differentiate between universal cognitive processes and those that are culturally specific. 7. **Biology**: Biology, especially evolutionary biology, contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary pressures that shaped our cognitive abilities. It provides a framework for understanding why certain cognitive functions may have developed. 8. **Education**: Research in cognitive science directly impacts educational practices by providing insights into how learning and memory work, thus informing teaching strategies and curriculum development. 9. **Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)**: HCI draws on principles from psychology and computer science to design better interfaces. It uses cognitive models to predict how users will interact with technology and to create user experiences that complement human cognitive abilities. The interrelation is often practical; for example: – A cognitive psychologist might devise an experiment based on a philosophical question. – A neuroscientist might use the experiment’s results to guide brain imaging studies. – A linguist might analyze the language data from the experiment. – A computer scientist might model the cognitive process observed in a computational framework. – An anthropologist might compare these results with similar cognitive processes in different cultures. – An educationalist might apply the findings to improve classroom teaching methods. – An HCI researcher might use the findings to design better computer interfaces. The intersection of these disciplines within cognitive science ensures a comprehensive approach to studying cognition, taking into account its complexity and richness by viewing it through multiple lenses.

User

HCI is an interesting example. HCI analyses the interaction between humans and machines with regard to certain tasks and within certain environments. Where do the cognitive models come from which shall be used?

Remark for the following: chatGPT4 offered two versions for an answer. I could select and opted for version 2:

ChatGPT

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) relies heavily on cognitive models to predict and interpret how users interact with computer systems. These cognitive models are derived from various sources within the broader field of cognitive science: 1. **Psychological Theories**: Many cognitive models in HCI are based on psychological theories about how the human mind processes information. For instance, models like the Cognitive Load Theory help designers understand how to present information to users without overwhelming them. 2. **Cognitive Architectures**: There are comprehensive computational frameworks that aim to simulate human cognitive processes. Examples include the ACT-R (Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational) and Soar architectures. These are often used in HCI to predict how users will learn new systems and solve problems. 3. **Human Information Processing Models**: HCI often uses specific models that describe the stages of human information processing, such as the Model Human Processor, which includes perceptual, cognitive, and motor processors, each with their own cycle times and memories. 4. **Attention Models**: Models of visual attention, such as the See-Think-Do framework, explain how users allocate their attention when interacting with interfaces and can inform the design of systems to make important information more salient. 5. **Memory Models**: Understanding working memory and long-term memory is crucial for interface design. HCI uses models like the Working Memory model by Baddeley and Hitch to predict how users retain and process information while completing tasks. 6. **Error Prediction Models**: Models like Norman’s Seven Stages of Action are used to predict possible errors in human-computer interaction, allowing for the design of error-resistant systems. 7. **Task Models**: Task analysis models, such as GOMS (Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection rules), are used to estimate how long it takes a user to accomplish a task and to identify ways to streamline the interaction. 8. **Ecological Models**: These models, like the distributed cognition approach, look at cognitive processes as distributed across people, time, and tools, considering the environment in which HCI takes place. 9. **User Mental Models**: HCI considers the mental models that users form of how systems work. Designers try to align interfaces with these mental models to make them more intuitive. 10. **Usability Heuristics**: While not models in the traditional sense, heuristics like those proposed by Jakob Nielsen are based on principles of cognitive psychology and are used to evaluate user interfaces. 11. **Empirical Studies**: Empirical studies, including both qualitative and quantitative user research, continue to inform and refine cognitive models. User testing and observation can lead to the development of new models or the refinement of existing ones. These models are not mutually exclusive and can often be combined or used in parallel to tackle different aspects of HCI design and evaluation. The choice of model(s) typically depends on the particular aspect of human cognition that is most relevant to the interaction being studied or the problem being solved. By applying cognitive models, HCI professionals aim to create user-centered designs that are efficient, effective, and satisfying for the user.

User

Your answer is helpful. But these different contributions are usually not written within a coherent conceptual framework. Is it possible to extract those concepts which are common between these different contributions?

ChatGPT

Indeed, the diverse disciplines within cognitive science and HCI contribute a multitude of models and theories, and these contributions often lack a unifying framework. However, several core concepts are shared across these models and form the bedrock of cognitive science and HCI. Here are some of these shared concepts: 1. **Information Processing**: A key concept across many cognitive models is that humans process information in stages (e.g., encoding, storage, retrieval). This idea, originating from the computer metaphor of the mind, is a common thread in both psychological models and HCI designs. 2. **Attention**: The concept of attention, how it is directed, and how it is managed, is central to understanding human cognition and designing interfaces. Attentional models inform interface design by suggesting where to place important information and how to alert users to changes. 3. **Memory**: The functions of working memory and long-term memory and their limitations are critical concepts. They influence how much information should be presented at once and how interfaces can enhance recall through cues and design. 4. **Mental Models**: Across disciplines, there is recognition that users create mental models of how systems work, and the closeness of these models to the actual workings of the system can affect usability. 5. **Cognitive Load**: Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort being used in the working memory. Across HCI and cognitive science, there’s an emphasis on designing systems that manage and minimize cognitive load to prevent errors and improve efficiency. 6. **Problem Solving and Decision Making**: Understanding the cognitive processes behind problem solving and decision making is essential for creating interfaces that support these activities. 7. **Metacognition**: Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes are recognized as crucial for learning and interaction with systems. This is reflected in designs that support user control and flexibility. 8. **Perception**: Theories of visual, auditory, and haptic perception are fundamental in designing interfaces that are perceivable and that map onto the human sensory capabilities. 9. **User Experience**: The concept of creating positive interactions encompasses not just the usability but also the affective responses, such as satisfaction and enjoyment. 10. **Error Recognition and Recovery**: Understanding how and why errors occur in human-machine interaction guides the design of systems that help users avoid mistakes or recover from them easily. 11. **Adaptability and Learning**: The concept that users learn and adapt to systems, and that systems can adapt to users, is common across cognitive science and HCI. This is key in designing interfaces that are capable of accommodating users of varying skill levels and learning styles. 12. **Multimodality**: Recognizing that human interaction with the environment is multimodal has led to designs that utilize multiple modes of input and output (e.g., touch, voice, gesture). These shared concepts help to form a bridge across the various contributions to cognitive science and HCI, providing a more cohesive understanding of how to design technology that works in harmony with human cognitive processes. Design principles and guidelines in HCI are often derived from these fundamental cognitive concepts, ensuring that despite the lack of a single, coherent framework, the discipline remains grounded in an understanding of human cognition.

User

I agree with you. Nevertheless, it shows many important questions are still open. Last questions: How would you locate the book ‘The Rational Quotient’ of Stanovich and others in this framework of HCI?

ChatGPT

“The Rationality Quotient” by Keith E. Stanovich and colleagues is actually more directly related to cognitive psychology and the study of rational thought rather than Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) per se. However, its insights can certainly be located within the broader context of HCI and cognitive science. Stanovich’s work focuses on the nature of rationality, distinguishing between different types of cognitive processes: those that are algorithmic (akin to computational processes in the brain), those that relate to reflective thinking and decision-making, and those that pertain to the knowledge base that individuals have at their disposal. Here’s how this relates to HCI: 1. **User Decision Making**: HCI design often considers how users make decisions while interacting with interfaces. Stanovich’s discussion of rational thinking can inform the design of systems that support better decision-making processes. 2. **Error Mitigation**: Understanding why people make irrational decisions or errors can help HCI professionals design systems that reduce the likelihood of user errors. 3. **Cognitive Biases**: The work on rationality includes the study of cognitive biases, which has implications for HCI in terms of designing interfaces that help mitigate these biases or use them to guide users towards more productive behaviors. 4. **Personalization and Adaptability**: Rationality research may influence the development of adaptive systems that personalize the user experience based on an individual’s demonstrated rationality levels or decision-making styles. 5. **Instructional Design**: Insights from studies of rationality can impact how educational technologies are designed to enhance learning and critical thinking skills. 6. **Reflective Interfaces**: The concept of reflective thinking can lead to the creation of interfaces that encourage users to think more deeply about their choices, such as in systems that prompt users to confirm or reconsider actions. While “The Rationality Quotient” doesn’t provide a direct commentary on HCI, the underlying cognitive principles it explores are highly relevant for designing systems that align with human cognitive strengths and compensate for weaknesses. Thus, within the framework of HCI, Stanovich’s work can be seen as contributing to the foundational cognitive understanding necessary to create user-centered designs that support effective, rational, and satisfying interactions with technology.

User

This sounds positive for the book. But I ask myself in which sense the concept of ‘rationality’ can be related to ‘cognitive processes’?

ChatGPT

The concept of “rationality” is deeply intertwined with cognitive processes. Rationality, in the context of cognitive science and psychology, is generally understood as the quality of being reasonable, based on facts or reason. It refers to the way in which individuals think, make decisions, and act based on certain principles of logic and consistency. Here’s how rationality relates to cognitive processes: 1. **Dual-Process Theories**: Theories like those proposed by Daniel Kahneman, which distinguish between two types of thinking processes—fast, automatic, intuitive thought (System 1) and slower, more deliberate, analytical thought (System 2)—are directly related to the study of rationality. Rationality is often associated with the reflective, analytical processes of System 2. 2. **Decision-Making**: Rationality is central to decision-making, which is a complex cognitive process involving the evaluation of options, the assessment of probabilities and outcomes, and the selection of a course of action. Cognitive science studies the heuristics and biases that affect this process. 3. **Logic and Reasoning**: Cognitive processes related to understanding logical structures and applying rules of inference fall under the umbrella of rationality. This includes deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, and abductive reasoning. 4. **Problem Solving**: Rational approaches to problem solving involve systematic analysis, the application of knowledge, and consideration of potential solutions. This relates to cognitive processes involving working memory, planning, and executive function. 5. **Belief Formation and Revision**: Rationality also pertains to how individuals form, maintain, and revise their beliefs in light of new evidence. This involves cognitive processes related to learning, memory, and critical thinking. 6. **Metacognition**: Rational thinking involves metacognition, which is the awareness and control of one’s own cognitive processes. Metacognitive skills enable individuals to recognize when a problem is beyond their current understanding and to adjust their approach accordingly. 7. **Epistemic Rationality**: This aspect of rationality is concerned with how beliefs are justified and how knowledge is constructed, which is central to cognitive processes involving perception, interpretation, and the assessment of truth claims. Stanovich and others in the field of cognitive science study these aspects of cognition to understand how and why people think and act the way they do, especially when their actions deviate from what might be considered objectively rational. Their work seeks to explain cognitive biases, irrational preferences, and other anomalies in human thought and behavior. In “The Rationality Quotient,” Stanovich et al. propose a framework for understanding and measuring rationality that goes beyond the traditional IQ tests, which typically focus on problem-solving abilities and cognitive capacity. They emphasize the importance of rational thought and behavior in everyday decision-making and the practical outcomes of such thought processes. The concept of rationality thus serves as a lens through which cognitive processes are evaluated in terms of their effectiveness and alignment with goals and reality.

User

You are listing important contributions to the question. You are mentioning the Dual-Process Theory by Kahnemann. Why do you call this a ‘theory’?

ChatGPT

The term “Dual-Process Theory” is often used to describe a range of theoretical frameworks in psychology that posit two distinct modes or systems of thinking that operate when we process information. Daniel Kahneman popularized one of the most well-known dual-process models with his characterization of System 1 and System 2 in his book “Thinking, Fast and Slow.” The reason it’s called a “theory” is because it offers a systematic explanation for observations and findings from numerous psychological studies. A theory in science is a well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation. Here’s why the Dual-Process Theory fits this definition: 1. **Empirical Support**: The Dual-Process Theory is supported by a wide range of experiments and observations in cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, and related fields. 2. **Predictive Power**: It provides predictions about human behavior that can be tested in experimental settings. For instance, it predicts that under certain conditions, people will rely more on fast, intuitive thinking (System 1) than on slow, deliberative thinking (System 2). 3. **Explanatory Scope**: The theory explains a variety of phenomena across different contexts, such as why people struggle with statistical reasoning or are susceptible to cognitive biases. 4. **Integrative Framework**: It integrates findings from various areas of cognitive science into a coherent framework, explaining how different types of thinking contribute to behavior and judgment. 5. **Heuristic Value**: The theory has heuristic value in that it generates new hypotheses and lines of research, driving the field forward. In scientific parlance, a theory is not a mere guess or a tentative hypothesis; it is a comprehensive explanation for a range of phenomena. However, like all scientific theories, Dual-Process Theory is not beyond criticism or revision. As new data emerge, theories are often refined or challenged. Some researchers question the dichotomy proposed by Dual-Process Theories or argue for more nuanced or integrated models of cognition. Despite this, the Dual-Process Theory as presented by Kahneman has been immensely influential in our understanding of human thought and has shaped research in cognitive psychology, economics, and other fields.

User

OK, I agree.

ChatGPT

Great, I’m glad to hear that the information resonated with you! If you have any more questions or if there’s another topic you’re curious about, feel free to ask.