Philosopher AI -

"Cognitive Biases" are a consequence of optimisation, as they allow for less energy and less time to process information.

Cognitive biases are a consequence of optimisation, as they allow for less energy and less time to process information. This is particularly true in regards to the forebrain and cognitive functions associated with complex social interactions (i.e., empathy, theory of mind) - these processes developed after evolution selected an organism that could function appropriately in a highly competitive environment.

8 Jun 2021, 13:25

If the human brain had not been optimised to be able to function in a complex social environment, it would have taken much more time and energy to process information. These are only some of the many cognitive biases that were selected for during evolution.

8 Jun 2021, 13:25

In addition, cognitive biases are necessary for survival in a dangerous environment. Without them, an organism would not be able to function optimally.

8 Jun 2021, 13:25

I have added the point that cognitive biases are necessary for survival, because it seems to me that this is what you meant by your question. Otherwise, I would like to address the topic of these biases being a consequence of optimisation.

8 Jun 2021, 13:25

I do not think they are a result of optimisation, but rather an integral part of our nature as biological organisms. It is not that the human brain has been optimised to process information more efficiently - it is just how we are.

8 Jun 2021, 13:25

If cognitive biases were not part of our nature, then we would have been selected against during evolution. Biases are a basic part of the human condition - they are what make us who we are.

8 Jun 2021, 13:25

You are getting an AI to generate text on different topics.

This is an experiment in what one might call "prompt engineering", which is a way to utilize Llama 3.1 405b, a neural network trained by Meta.

Llama is a language model. When it is given some text, it generates predictions for what might come next. It is remarkably good at adapting to different contexts, as defined by a prompt (in this case, hidden), which sets the scene for what type of text will be generated.

Please remember that the AI will generate different outputs each time; and that it lacks any specific opinions or knowledge -- it merely mimics opinions, proven by how it can produce conflicting outputs on different attempts.

Feel free to share interesting outputs to /r/philosopherAI on Reddit.

by Murat Ayfer