From: Ben Goertzel (ben@goertzel.org)
Date: Fri Jun 21 2002 - 11:37:57 MDT
Michael Roy Ames wrote:
> I agree with Samantha on this point: Super Intelligence does not
> equate to,
> or converge to Wisdom. Intelligence can be used to build/obtain
> wisdom, but
> that doesn't just *happen* by default... at least I have never
> encountered a
> convincing argument that it does. There is zero evidence from the our
> single data point (humanity) that intelligence automatically converges on
> wisdom, or altruism, or selfishness for that matter. I would profoundly
> *hope* that it does by default, but hoping isn't good enough when we are
> dealing with existential risks. Anyone who cares about their own future
> (and that of everyone else too) should do everything they can to face the
> problem squarely, and try to solve it.
Of course, this is correct.
Among humans, intelligence and wisdom are poorly correlated.
Among AI's, things will be a little different, but there's no reason to
believe intelligence and "wisdom" will be perfectly correlated either.
"Wisdom", however, is a complex concept. From dictionary .com we find for
instance the following:
***
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and
insight [syn: wiseness] [ant: folly]
ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense
and insight [syn: sapience]
the quality of being prudent and sensible [syn: wiseness, soundness]
The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
Common sense; good judgment
A wise outlook, plan, or course of action.
***
There is a mixture here of meaning-threads about
a) knowing a lot
b) being able to apply one's knowledge and intelligence in pragmatically
useful ways
c) conservatism rather than propensity for risk-taking
d) keen moral judgment
Is the concept of "wisdom" -- clearly a jumble of various loosely related
subconcepts -- really a highly natural concept, with which to be analyzing
future AI's or future enhanced humans? I'm not so sure. It's just a
word...
-- Ben G
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