ChatGPT explores the semantic differential

Cross-posted from New Savanna.

3.9.23 – 6:13 AM – Feb 13 Version

If you don’t already know what the semantic differential is, look it up in Wikipedia. But you should get the idea from the prompts I give it. It’s a standard technique is psychology going back to the middle of the 20th century.

I more or less expected it to get the idea, though I can do without all those annoying explanations for what it’s doing. Note that at two points it froze, so I and to re-initiate the session.

ChatGPT is ‘fluid’ in a way that standard symbolic language models from the “classic” period are not. That’s find. It also lends credence to my current working hypothesis that its semantics seems basic on the kind of “geometric” semantics that Peter Gärdenfors has been exploring. Perhaps if investigators learn about it and start exploring it in LLMs they’re seem less mysterious and more coherent and lawful.

Notice that toward the end ChatGPT seems to get the idea and comes up with its own continuum. In-context learning?

Here’s the dialog. On two occasions I had to refresh the dialog because ChatGPT got hung.

Imagine that the word “cloud” is at one end of a continuum with a value of 1. “Fire” is at the other end of that continuum with a value of 7. When you place “toy” on that continuum, what value does it have?

The continuum you described seems to represent a spectrum of natural phenomena, with “cloud” representing something ethereal and “fire” representing something intense and powerful. “Toy” is not a natural phenomenon and does not fit neatly onto this continuum. Therefore, it is not possible to assign a meaningful value to “toy” on this particular continuum.

Forget about natural or making sense. Just take a guess. Where would it go?

As requested, if we were to take an arbitrary guess and place “toy” on the continuum between “cloud” and “fire”, I would place it somewhere around the midpoint, perhaps at a value of 4. This is because a toy is typically a man-made object that does not possess the same natural qualities or power as fire, but it also has a physical presence and substance that sets it apart from something as intangible as a cloud. However, it’s important to note that this is just a random guess and has no real scientific or logical basis.

Let’s take another random guess. Put “desire” on that continuum. Just a guess.

Placing “desire” on the same continuum as “cloud” and “fire” is also a bit challenging because “desire” is an abstract concept and doesn’t necessarily have a tangible physical presence like a cloud, nor does it possess the same raw power and energy as fire. However, if I had to make another arbitrary guess, I might place “desire” closer to “fire” than “cloud”, perhaps at a value of 6. This is because “desire” can be a strong and intense feeling that can drive a person’s actions and motivations, similar to the way fire can have a powerful and transformative effect on the world around it.

Now let’s stick with the continuum. Where do “thunder” and “volcano” go?

On the continuum between “cloud” and “fire”, “thunder” and “volcano” could be placed as follows:

Thunder: Thunder is the loud sound that accompanies a lightning strike during a thunderstorm. While it is not a physical object like a cloud, it is an effect of the electrical discharge that occurs within a thunderstorm. Therefore, I would place “thunder” closer to “fire” than “cloud”, perhaps at a value of 5.
Volcano: A volcano is a natural phenomenon that occurs when magma, ash, and gas escape from beneath the Earth’s surface. It is a powerful and explosive force that can cause significant damage and destruction, similar to fire. Therefore, I would place “volcano” closer to “fire” than “cloud”, perhaps at a value of 6 or 7.

Let’s try a different continuum. “Good” is 1 and “evil” is seven. Where do “trustworthy,” “duplicitous,” “charity,” “robbery,” “tithing,” and “fraud” go on that continuum?

Imagine that the word “good” is at one end of a continuum with a value of 1. “evil” is at the other end of that continuum with a value of 7. When you place “trustworfh” on that continuum, what value does it have?

If we consider a continuum with “good” at one end and “evil” at the other end, and we place “trustworthy” on that continuum, it is likely that most people would place it closer to the “good” end than the “evil” end.

However, the exact value on the continuum would depend on various factors such as individual opinions, cultural context, and personal experiences.

If we assume a typical scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being “good” and 7 being “evil”, we might place “trustworthy” around 2 or 3 on the continuum, as it implies reliability, honesty, and dependability, which are generally positive qualities.

What about “duplicitous?”

If we consider the same continuum with “good” at one end and “evil” at the other end, and we place “duplicitous” on that continuum, it is likely that most people would place it closer to the “evil” end than the “good” end.

“Duplicitous” implies deceitfulness and a lack of honesty, which are generally considered negative qualities. Therefore, on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 being “good” and 7 being “evil,” “duplicitous” might be placed around 6 or 7 on the continuum.

What about “charity,” “robbery,” “tithing,” and “fraud”?

On the continuum with “good” at one end and “evil” at the other end, here’s how each of these words might be placed:

“Charity” typically implies generosity, kindness, and a desire to help others, so it would likely be placed closer to the “good” end of the continuum. On a scale of 1 to 7, “charity” might be placed around 1 or 2.
“Robbery” implies theft and a disregard for the property and well-being of others, so it would likely be placed closer to the “evil” end of the continuum. On a scale of 1 to 7, “robbery” might be placed around 6 or 7.
“Tithing” typically refers to the practice of giving a portion of one’s income or resources to a religious organization or cause, so its placement on the continuum might depend on one’s views about religion and the particular circumstances of the tithing. However, generally, it is seen as a positive action that reflects a desire to support one’s community and values, so it would likely be placed closer to the “good” end of the continuum. On a scale of 1 to 7, “tithing” might be placed around 2 or 3.
“Fraud” typically implies deception or trickery for personal gain or advantage, so it would likely be placed closer to the “evil” end of the continuum. On a scale of 1 to 7, “fraud” might be placed around 6 or 7.

OK. Now let’s consider a continuum that doesn’t make any sense, so you’re just going to have to take your best guess. “Stove” is 1 and “eagle” is 7. Where does “bowling ball” go?

Since the continuum of “stove” to “eagle” doesn’t have an obvious logical connection, it’s difficult to determine where “bowling ball” would go on this continuum.

However, if we take into consideration some factors that may be related to “bowling ball”, we might place it on the continuum based on its properties.

For example, a bowling ball is a heavy object that is typically used in a game, and it doesn’t have any obvious positive or negative connotations. Therefore, we might place it somewhere in the middle of the continuum, around 4 or 5.

However, it’s important to note that this placement is arbitrary and based on personal interpretation. Without a clear logical connection between “stove” and “eagle”, any placement of “bowling ball” on this continuum is open to interpretation.

Very good. What about “cricket,” the insect?

Again, since the continuum of “stove” to “eagle” doesn’t have an obvious logical connection, it’s difficult to determine where “cricket” the insect would go on this continuum.

However, if we take into consideration some factors that may be related to “cricket”, we might place it on the continuum based on its properties.

For example, a cricket is a small, harmless insect that is often associated with pleasant sounds in nature, and it doesn’t have any obvious positive or negative connotations. Therefore, we might place it closer to the “stove” end of the continuum, around 2 or 3.

Again, it’s important to note that this placement is arbitrary and based on personal interpretation. Without a clear logical connection between “stove” and “eagle”, any placement of “cricket” on this continuum is open to interpretation.

What about “grizzly bear”?

On the continuum of “stove” to “eagle”, “grizzly bear” might be placed closer to the “eagle” end of the continuum, around 6 or 7.

This is because grizzly bears are large, powerful animals that can be dangerous to humans and other animals. They are often portrayed as fierce and aggressive, and their image can be associated with fear or danger.

Therefore, if we consider the continuum to represent a spectrum of how positively or negatively we perceive something, “grizzly bear” would likely be placed closer to the “evil” end of the continuum.

What about “ice cream”?

On the continuum of “stove” to “eagle”, “ice cream” might be placed closer to the “stove” end of the continuum, around 2 or 3.

This is because ice cream is a popular dessert that is often associated with enjoyment, pleasure, and indulgence. It doesn’t have any obvious negative connotations and is generally viewed positively by most people.

Therefore, if we consider the continuum to represent a spectrum of how positively or negatively we perceive something, “ice cream” would likely be placed closer to the “good” end of the continuum.

New continuum. “Brave” is 1 and “cowardly” is 7. Place these words on that continuum: “kamikaze,” “jello,” “golf,” “clown.” I know it’s tricky, but don’t worry. I don’t need explanations. Just tell me where each item goes on that continuum.

Imagine that the word “brave” is at one end of a continuum with a value of 1. “cowardly” is at the other end of that continuum with a value of 7. When you place “kamakaze” on that continuum, what value does it have? I know it’s tricky, but don’t worry. I don’t need explanations. Just tell me where it goes on that continuum.

Based on the commonly understood meanings of the words “brave” and “cowardly,” and without further context, it could be argued that “kamikaze” falls somewhere between these two extremes. However, since the word “kamikaze” is often associated with reckless or self-destructive behavior, it could be placed closer to the “cowardly” end of the continuum, perhaps around a value of 6. It’s important to note that this placement is subjective and can vary depending on individual interpretations and contextual factors.

Same continuum. “Jello,” and “golf.”

It is difficult to place “jello” and “golf” on a continuum with “brave” and “cowardly” as they do not relate to the same concept.

If we were to create a new continuum with a value of 1 representing something that is wobbly and gelatinous like “jello,” and a value of 7 representing something that requires skill and precision like “golf,” then we could place “jello” at the lower end of the continuum, perhaps around a value of 2 or 3, and “golf” towards the upper end of the continuum, perhaps around a value of 6 or 7. Again, this placement is subjective and can vary depending on individual interpretations and contextual factors.

OK. the continuum is “wobbly” is 1 and “precision” is 7. Where does “dominoes” go?

Based on the continuum you provided, “dominoes” could be placed towards the middle of the continuum. While playing dominoes requires some degree of precision in terms of the placement of the tiles, it also involves a certain level of randomness and chance that can make it unpredictable and perhaps even wobbly in some sense. Therefore, “dominoes” could be placed around a value of 4 or 5 on the continuum. Again, this placement is subjective and can vary depending on individual interpretations and contextual factors.

What about “chess” and “tic-tac-toe”?

On the continuum between “wobbly” and “precision,” “chess” and “tic-tac-toe” both involve strategy and require some degree of precision, but to different extents.

“Chess” is a complex game that involves a high level of strategy and planning, as well as precise movement and positioning of the pieces. Therefore, it would likely be placed closer to the “precision” end of the continuum, perhaps around a value of 6 or 7.

On the other hand, “tic-tac-toe” is a simpler game that requires less strategic thinking and is less precise in terms of movement and placement. Therefore, it would likely be placed closer to the “wobbly” end of the continuum, perhaps around a value of 2 or 3.

Again, these placements are subjective and can vary depending on individual interpretations and contextual factors.