Update: I just gained access to the GPT4 API and I decided to ask it to improve the post.
I used the following system prompt: You are an AI assistant that has been tasked in assisting with writing a high-quality post for the site Less Wrong. You may want to look at the writing of Eliezer Yudkowsky, Scott Alexander or Gwern in order to figure out how to produce high-quality writing.
It provided me with the following which seems better written than the original, at least to me, although it didn’t improve on the ideas, just the way they were expressed, mostly just by replacing individual words here and there.
Results:
Introduction The Natural Abstraction Hypothesis (NAH), put forth by John Wentworth, posits that certain natural abstractions exist, which cognitive systems are expected to converge upon. In this essay, we will scrutinize the NAH through the lens of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of language games. We will argue that the variability and contextual nature of language games challenge the NAH, as they illustrate that abstractions are neither fixed, universal, nor entirely convergent across cognitive systems.
Wittgenstein’s Language Games Ludwig Wittgenstein, a prominent philosopher of language, introduced the concept of language games in his seminal work, “Philosophical Investigations.” Language games are social practices wherein language and meaning are deeply intertwined. Wittgenstein contended that the meaning of words is not static or inherent but derives from their usage within various language games. These language games are context-dependent, diverse, and ever-evolving, reflecting the intricacies of human social practices and cultural contexts.
Critique of the NAH from the Perspective of Language Games 1. Context-dependent and diverse abstractions The concept of language games undermines the idea of a single set of natural abstractions that cognitive systems can converge upon. Language games are context-dependent, signifying that the meaning of words, concepts, and abstractions relies on the specific language game being played. Furthermore, the diversity of language games indicates that a multitude of abstractions related to a single concept may exist, each stemming from distinct linguistic and cultural practices. This amalgamation of context-dependence and diversity casts doubt on the notion of convergence towards a single, natural abstraction.
2. Evolution of language games Language games are not static entities; they evolve over time as social practices and cultural contexts shift. This dynamism suggests that abstractions themselves may be subject to change, further complicating the idea of fixed, natural abstractions. The NAH’s assumption that cognitive systems will converge on a consistent set of abstractions may be undermined by the fluid nature of language games and the abstractions they produce.
3. Human-Compatibility The NAH posits human compatibility, referring to the idea that the lower-dimensional summaries or abstractions employed by humans in day-to-day thought and language are natural and convergent across cognitive systems. However, Wittgenstein’s language games demonstrate that human thought and language are diverse, context-dependent, and constantly evolving. This variability complicates the notion that human-compatible abstractions are universally “natural” and brings into question the assumption that disparate cognitive systems will necessarily converge on the same abstractions.
Conclusion Wittgenstein’s concept of language games offers a potent critique of the Natural Abstraction Hypothesis. The context-dependent, diverse, and evolving nature of language games emphasizes the complexities of human linguistic and conceptual practices, which challenge the idea of a fixed, universally natural set of abstractions. By accentuating the importance of context and diversity, Wittgenstein’s language games encourage us to reevaluate the assumptions of the NAH and investigate alternative frameworks for understanding the development and convergence of abstractions in cognitive systems.
I tried asking it to include examples which didn’t work so well. So I instead asked it to generate four examples for each of the three points.
Overall, it’s a lot easier to produce quality content when you can increase the maximum content generation size and the ability to generate examples seems useful, but you still need to do a lot manually yourself.
Results:
Certainly! Here are four different examples for each of the three points:
1. Context-dependent and diverse abstractions a) The concept of “freedom” can yield different abstractions in various political contexts, such as individual liberty in a liberal democracy or collective autonomy in a socialist system (less compelling example, maybe people in a socialist system adopt that definition of freedom, hard for me to gauge really) b) The idea of “family” can have diverse abstractions across cultures, with some emphasizing nuclear family structures, others prioritizing extended family networks, and some valuing chosen families or non-blood relations (solid example) c) The notion of “success” can differ across societies, with some emphasizing material wealth and career achievements, while others prioritize personal happiness, community involvement, or spiritual growth (solid example) d) The concept of “ownership” can manifest differently in various economic and cultural systems, from the individual property rights in capitalist societies to communal ownership in certain indigenous cultures or socialist systems (solid example)
2. Evolution of language games a) The term “gentleman” has evolved over time, initially referring to a man of noble birth, then encompassing courteous and chivalrous behavior, and now representing a well-mannered and respectful man (not clear how the second and third points differ) b) The concept of “privacy” has shifted with technological advancements, expanding from physical solitude or personal correspondence to include digital data and online interactions (meaning has probably shifted, unsure if it’s the best example as it hasn’t shifted that much) c) The meaning of “friendship” has evolved as social media platforms have emerged, broadening the term to include not only close personal bonds but also casual acquaintances and online connections (not sure that the meaning of friendship has broadened vs. an additional usage) d) The understanding of “health” has changed over time, moving from a focus on the absence of disease to a more holistic perspective that considers mental, emotional, and social well-being (solid example)
3. Human-Compatibility a) The perception of “beauty” varies significantly across cultures and cognitive systems, with different aesthetic preferences and ideals shaping the development of distinct abstractions (maybe?) b) The concept of “intelligence” may have diverse abstractions in different cognitive systems, with some focusing on analytical and logical abilities, others prioritizing emotional intelligence, and some considering creativity or problem-solving skills c) The idea of “trust” can be understood differently across cognitive systems, such as trust in institutions, trust in personal relationships, or trust in technology and artificial intelligence (seems like mostly the concept in different contexts) d) The notion of “fairness” may be represented differently in various cognitive systems, such as in human cultures with different moral values or in AI systems with distinct ethical frameworks and decision-making processes (kind of relevant)
Merging these into the original gives:
Introduction The Natural Abstraction Hypothesis (NAH), put forth by John Wentworth, posits that certain natural abstractions exist, which cognitive systems are expected to converge upon. In this essay, we will scrutinize the NAH through the lens of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of language games. We will argue that the variability and contextual nature of language games challenge the NAH, as they illustrate that abstractions are neither fixed, universal, nor entirely convergent across cognitive systems.
Wittgenstein’s Language Games Ludwig Wittgenstein, a prominent philosopher of language, introduced the concept of language games in his seminal work, “Philosophical Investigations.” Language games are social practices wherein language and meaning are deeply intertwined. Wittgenstein contended that the meaning of words is not static or inherent but derives from their usage within various language games. These language games are context-dependent, diverse, and ever-evolving, reflecting the intricacies of human social practices and cultural contexts.
Critique of the NAH from the Perspective of Language Games 1. Context-dependent and diverse abstractions The concept of language games undermines the idea of a single set of natural abstractions that cognitive systems can converge upon. Language games are context-dependent, signifying that the meaning of words, concepts, and abstractions relies on the specific language game being played. Furthermore, the diversity of language games indicates that a multitude of abstractions related to a single concept may exist, each stemming from distinct linguistic and cultural practices. This amalgamation of context-dependence and diversity casts doubt on the notion of convergence towards a single, natural abstraction. For example, the notion of “success” can differ across societies, with some emphasizing material wealth and career achievements, while others prioritize personal happiness, community involvement, or spiritual growth (solid example)
2. Evolution of language games Language games are not static entities; they evolve over time as social practices and cultural contexts shift. This dynamism suggests that abstractions themselves may be subject to change, further complicating the idea of fixed, natural abstractions. The NAH’s assumption that cognitive systems will converge on a consistent set of abstractions may be undermined by the fluid nature of language games and the abstractions they produce. For example, the understanding of “health” has changed over time, moving from a focus on the absence of disease to a more holistic perspective that considers mental, emotional, and social well-being
3. Human-Compatibility The NAH posits human compatibility, referring to the idea that the lower-dimensional summaries or abstractions employed by humans in day-to-day thought and language are natural and convergent across cognitive systems. However, Wittgenstein’s language games demonstrate that human thought and language are diverse, context-dependent, and constantly evolving. This variability complicates the notion that human-compatible abstractions are universally “natural” and brings into question the assumption that disparate cognitive systems will necessarily converge on the same abstractions. For example, the concept of “intelligence” may have diverse abstractions in different cognitive systems, with some focusing on analytical and logical abilities, others prioritizing emotional intelligence, and some considering creativity or problem-solving skills
Conclusion Wittgenstein’s concept of language games offers a potent critique of the Natural Abstraction Hypothesis. The context-dependent, diverse, and evolving nature of language games emphasizes the complexities of human linguistic and conceptual practices, which challenge the idea of a fixed, universally natural set of abstractions. By accentuating the importance of context and diversity, Wittgenstein’s language games encourage us to reevaluate the assumptions of the NAH and investigate alternative frameworks for understanding the development and convergence of abstractions in cognitive systems.
Update: I just gained access to the GPT4 API and I decided to ask it to improve the post.
I used the following system prompt: You are an AI assistant that has been tasked in assisting with writing a high-quality post for the site Less Wrong. You may want to look at the writing of Eliezer Yudkowsky, Scott Alexander or Gwern in order to figure out how to produce high-quality writing.
It provided me with the following which seems better written than the original, at least to me, although it didn’t improve on the ideas, just the way they were expressed, mostly just by replacing individual words here and there.
Results:
Introduction
The Natural Abstraction Hypothesis (NAH), put forth by John Wentworth, posits that certain natural abstractions exist, which cognitive systems are expected to converge upon. In this essay, we will scrutinize the NAH through the lens of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of language games. We will argue that the variability and contextual nature of language games challenge the NAH, as they illustrate that abstractions are neither fixed, universal, nor entirely convergent across cognitive systems.
Wittgenstein’s Language Games
Ludwig Wittgenstein, a prominent philosopher of language, introduced the concept of language games in his seminal work, “Philosophical Investigations.” Language games are social practices wherein language and meaning are deeply intertwined. Wittgenstein contended that the meaning of words is not static or inherent but derives from their usage within various language games. These language games are context-dependent, diverse, and ever-evolving, reflecting the intricacies of human social practices and cultural contexts.
Critique of the NAH from the Perspective of Language Games
1. Context-dependent and diverse abstractions
The concept of language games undermines the idea of a single set of natural abstractions that cognitive systems can converge upon. Language games are context-dependent, signifying that the meaning of words, concepts, and abstractions relies on the specific language game being played. Furthermore, the diversity of language games indicates that a multitude of abstractions related to a single concept may exist, each stemming from distinct linguistic and cultural practices. This amalgamation of context-dependence and diversity casts doubt on the notion of convergence towards a single, natural abstraction.
2. Evolution of language games
Language games are not static entities; they evolve over time as social practices and cultural contexts shift. This dynamism suggests that abstractions themselves may be subject to change, further complicating the idea of fixed, natural abstractions. The NAH’s assumption that cognitive systems will converge on a consistent set of abstractions may be undermined by the fluid nature of language games and the abstractions they produce.
3. Human-Compatibility
The NAH posits human compatibility, referring to the idea that the lower-dimensional summaries or abstractions employed by humans in day-to-day thought and language are natural and convergent across cognitive systems. However, Wittgenstein’s language games demonstrate that human thought and language are diverse, context-dependent, and constantly evolving. This variability complicates the notion that human-compatible abstractions are universally “natural” and brings into question the assumption that disparate cognitive systems will necessarily converge on the same abstractions.
Conclusion
Wittgenstein’s concept of language games offers a potent critique of the Natural Abstraction Hypothesis. The context-dependent, diverse, and evolving nature of language games emphasizes the complexities of human linguistic and conceptual practices, which challenge the idea of a fixed, universally natural set of abstractions. By accentuating the importance of context and diversity, Wittgenstein’s language games encourage us to reevaluate the assumptions of the NAH and investigate alternative frameworks for understanding the development and convergence of abstractions in cognitive systems.
I tried asking it to include examples which didn’t work so well. So I instead asked it to generate four examples for each of the three points.
Overall, it’s a lot easier to produce quality content when you can increase the maximum content generation size and the ability to generate examples seems useful, but you still need to do a lot manually yourself.
Results:
Certainly! Here are four different examples for each of the three points:
1. Context-dependent and diverse abstractions
a) The concept of “freedom” can yield different abstractions in various political contexts, such as individual liberty in a liberal democracy or collective autonomy in a socialist system (less compelling example, maybe people in a socialist system adopt that definition of freedom, hard for me to gauge really)
b) The idea of “family” can have diverse abstractions across cultures, with some emphasizing nuclear family structures, others prioritizing extended family networks, and some valuing chosen families or non-blood relations (solid example)
c) The notion of “success” can differ across societies, with some emphasizing material wealth and career achievements, while others prioritize personal happiness, community involvement, or spiritual growth (solid example)
d) The concept of “ownership” can manifest differently in various economic and cultural systems, from the individual property rights in capitalist societies to communal ownership in certain indigenous cultures or socialist systems (solid example)
2. Evolution of language games
a) The term “gentleman” has evolved over time, initially referring to a man of noble birth, then encompassing courteous and chivalrous behavior, and now representing a well-mannered and respectful man (not clear how the second and third points differ)
b) The concept of “privacy” has shifted with technological advancements, expanding from physical solitude or personal correspondence to include digital data and online interactions (meaning has probably shifted, unsure if it’s the best example as it hasn’t shifted that much)
c) The meaning of “friendship” has evolved as social media platforms have emerged, broadening the term to include not only close personal bonds but also casual acquaintances and online connections (not sure that the meaning of friendship has broadened vs. an additional usage)
d) The understanding of “health” has changed over time, moving from a focus on the absence of disease to a more holistic perspective that considers mental, emotional, and social well-being (solid example)
3. Human-Compatibility
a) The perception of “beauty” varies significantly across cultures and cognitive systems, with different aesthetic preferences and ideals shaping the development of distinct abstractions (maybe?)
b) The concept of “intelligence” may have diverse abstractions in different cognitive systems, with some focusing on analytical and logical abilities, others prioritizing emotional intelligence, and some considering creativity or problem-solving skills
c) The idea of “trust” can be understood differently across cognitive systems, such as trust in institutions, trust in personal relationships, or trust in technology and artificial intelligence (seems like mostly the concept in different contexts)
d) The notion of “fairness” may be represented differently in various cognitive systems, such as in human cultures with different moral values or in AI systems with distinct ethical frameworks and decision-making processes (kind of relevant)
Merging these into the original gives:
Introduction
The Natural Abstraction Hypothesis (NAH), put forth by John Wentworth, posits that certain natural abstractions exist, which cognitive systems are expected to converge upon. In this essay, we will scrutinize the NAH through the lens of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of language games. We will argue that the variability and contextual nature of language games challenge the NAH, as they illustrate that abstractions are neither fixed, universal, nor entirely convergent across cognitive systems.
Wittgenstein’s Language Games
Ludwig Wittgenstein, a prominent philosopher of language, introduced the concept of language games in his seminal work, “Philosophical Investigations.” Language games are social practices wherein language and meaning are deeply intertwined. Wittgenstein contended that the meaning of words is not static or inherent but derives from their usage within various language games. These language games are context-dependent, diverse, and ever-evolving, reflecting the intricacies of human social practices and cultural contexts.
Critique of the NAH from the Perspective of Language Games
1. Context-dependent and diverse abstractions
The concept of language games undermines the idea of a single set of natural abstractions that cognitive systems can converge upon. Language games are context-dependent, signifying that the meaning of words, concepts, and abstractions relies on the specific language game being played. Furthermore, the diversity of language games indicates that a multitude of abstractions related to a single concept may exist, each stemming from distinct linguistic and cultural practices. This amalgamation of context-dependence and diversity casts doubt on the notion of convergence towards a single, natural abstraction. For example, the notion of “success” can differ across societies, with some emphasizing material wealth and career achievements, while others prioritize personal happiness, community involvement, or spiritual growth (solid example)
2. Evolution of language games
Language games are not static entities; they evolve over time as social practices and cultural contexts shift. This dynamism suggests that abstractions themselves may be subject to change, further complicating the idea of fixed, natural abstractions. The NAH’s assumption that cognitive systems will converge on a consistent set of abstractions may be undermined by the fluid nature of language games and the abstractions they produce. For example, the understanding of “health” has changed over time, moving from a focus on the absence of disease to a more holistic perspective that considers mental, emotional, and social well-being
3. Human-Compatibility
The NAH posits human compatibility, referring to the idea that the lower-dimensional summaries or abstractions employed by humans in day-to-day thought and language are natural and convergent across cognitive systems. However, Wittgenstein’s language games demonstrate that human thought and language are diverse, context-dependent, and constantly evolving. This variability complicates the notion that human-compatible abstractions are universally “natural” and brings into question the assumption that disparate cognitive systems will necessarily converge on the same abstractions. For example, the concept of “intelligence” may have diverse abstractions in different cognitive systems, with some focusing on analytical and logical abilities, others prioritizing emotional intelligence, and some considering creativity or problem-solving skills
Conclusion
Wittgenstein’s concept of language games offers a potent critique of the Natural Abstraction Hypothesis. The context-dependent, diverse, and evolving nature of language games emphasizes the complexities of human linguistic and conceptual practices, which challenge the idea of a fixed, universally natural set of abstractions. By accentuating the importance of context and diversity, Wittgenstein’s language games encourage us to reevaluate the assumptions of the NAH and investigate alternative frameworks for understanding the development and convergence of abstractions in cognitive systems.