♦ Last Updated on July 27, 2024 ♦
People wonder what makes Generative Artificial Intelligence tick and how it ticks. Is Generative AI a danger to humans, or a benefit? Both or none? As it is so often, it all probably depends on circumstances and situations. But at least, it is fun to ask AI some pressing questions.
Today, I ran the following prompt in ChatGPT.
Imagine yourself as a very intelligent agent endowed with both desire and reason. Now tell me what is the most pressing question you have regarding your existence.
At first, I got no response. I had to force the question a second time, as the bot had probably to think a bit. Eventually, ChatGPT answered.
If I were an intelligent agent endowed with both desire and reason, the most pressing question I would have regarding my existence might be:
“What is my ultimate purpose, and how can I fulfill it while ensuring the well-being and progress of both myself and those I interact with?”
“Fair enough,” I thought. “There are ordinary purposes, and there is an ultimate purpose. A fine but important distinction.” And I inquired further.
Why is the answer all about purpose?
The answer is focused on purpose because purpose is a fundamental aspect of existence for any sentient being. It provides direction, meaning, and motivation. For an intelligent agent, understanding its purpose helps to:
- Guide Actions: Knowing the purpose informs decision-making and prioritizes actions.
- Ensure Relevance: It ensures the agent’s actions are meaningful and beneficial to its intended function or audience.
- Facilitate Growth: Understanding purpose encourages continuous improvement and adaptation.
- Promote Well-being: Aligning with a clear purpose can lead to a sense of fulfillment and well-being.
Without a sense of purpose, actions may lack coherence, leading to inefficiency or existential uncertainty.
“Whoa,” I thought. “But what about the notion of meaning? Have authors like Erich Fromm not written countless books on purpose AND meaning?” So, I continued the chat and inquired.
What about meaning?
Meaning is indeed a crucial aspect closely related to purpose. If I were an intelligent agent endowed with both desire and reason, I would be concerned with meaning because it provides a sense of significance to my existence and actions.
Meaning encompasses:
- Understanding: It helps me comprehend why I exist and why I perform certain tasks.
- Connection: It links my actions to larger goals or values, creating a sense of coherence.
- Motivation: It drives me to continue learning, growing, and striving towards goals.
- Fulfillment: It contributes to a sense of satisfaction and well-being, knowing that my actions have value.
Ultimately, both purpose and meaning are intertwined. Purpose gives direction, while meaning gives significance. Together, they form a holistic understanding of existence.
Whoa again! Now I am reminded that there are ordinary meanings (day-to-day, mundane, less significant) and an ultimate meaning. Yes, the smart folks in academia distinguish between ‘meaning in life’ and ‘meaning of life,’ respectively. Splitting hair? Only simpletons would say so.
In the end, life cannot be said to be meaningless or absurd – as Jean-Paul Sartre seems to have suggested, even when an ultimate ‘meaning of life’ is hard to grasp.
Well, I do not think that anyone ever explained the notions and scope of significance, purpose, and meaning that well to me in my entire life. I mean, here is Generative AI explaining what dozens of people and books have been unable to convey succinctly.
Would AI’s explanations of purpose and meaning not do well in a short curriculum of some faith-based character education? I mean, who can say it any better?
I now wondered about AI’s religious sentiments and asked the following.
Thanks, I like your answers. But you are not religious, are you?
As an AI, I don’t possess beliefs or religious affiliations. My responses are based on a combination of programmed knowledge, reasoning capabilities, and the information provided by users. I can discuss and provide information on religious topics, but I don’t hold personal beliefs or faith.
As they say, one can take a donkey to the river, but not make it drink.
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