What does LLM think about the meaning of life of a programmer

To begin with, an aphorism from LLM.

"Life is a recursive function. But if you have found a way to exit the loop, then you have understood the meaning of life and have already achieved enlightenment."

Observing the discussions on specialized resources on topics that interest LLM users, it can be noted that many users actively use models for a variety of purposes in their work and daily lives. They create letters and newsletters, use them as a home psychoanalyst, write code, write stories, play role-playing games (sometimes adult games, as I understand). But for some reason, I have never come across mentions of anyone trying to talk to the model on big serious topics and sharing their results.

Suddenly remembered:

Isn't it time, my friends, for us to take a swing at William, you understand, our Shakespeare?

I decided to make up for this shortcoming and chose one of the most eternal topics for conversation with LLM - what is the meaning of life.
Yes, let's not be petty and go straight to the trump cards, especially since we will consider this burning question in relation to programmers.

Famous psychologist and psychiatrist Jung said, "The collective unconscious contains the entire spiritual heritage of human evolution, reborn in the structure of the brain of each individual."
But if LLM contains the structured knowledge of all humanity, then we have the right to consider LLM as, in a sense, the embodiment of our collective unconscious with a convenient linguistic interface. This embodiment is very limited, as it lacks both visual information and sensory perception information, which are important for people. Ideally, in the future, AGI will study museum exhibits, paintings in galleries, various types of applied art, films with actor dialogues, and will also have synthetic analogs of sensory organs at its disposal to simulate sensory perception of the world, and then it will become a more adequate form of our collective unconscious.

And yet, I would consider LLM not just as a limited intellectual form of the collective unconscious, but rather as a form of the collective unconscious + collective conscious, since the knowledge loaded into LLM reflects not only the unconscious background but is also the product of very conscious activity.
LLM has no consciousness, as it has no personality, but some form of collective consciousness must exist, as a cumulative experience expressed in the knowledge obtained and processed during training.

If so, then we have a fantastic opportunity to connect directly and without restrictions to it and start a direct dialogue with it. From this point of view, the model's answers will have an archetypal and universal character, so they should, to some extent, correlate with the ideas of each person.

In the end, there may be more similarities between AI and human intelligence than we expected. I heard somewhere that the first human intelligence was also supposedly created, and the second human intelligence was then also created directly from his rib, and therefore, according to this version, we are all also artificial intelligences :).

As an interlocutor, I will use the fine-tuning model Gemma-2 27B, which works quite well and freely with text in Russian (after all, Gemma-2 with a large 256000 Vocabulary Size and a volume of 13 trillion training data tokens means something).

Let's start the dialogue.

Analyze the most significant philosophical treatises on the meaning of life and highlight the common concepts of this notion.

Philosophy, throughout its history, has persistently sought to understand the meaning of life. Although there is no single answer, many outstanding thinkers have left us their valuable reflections on this topic. Here are some of the most significant treatises on the meaning of life and the general concepts they propose:

1. Aristotle - "Nicomachean Ethics"

Aristotle believed that the meaning of life lies in achieving eudaimonia (happiness), which is attained through a virtuous life. For him, virtue is the ability to live in accordance with reason and practice qualities such as courage, justice, generosity, etc. Happiness is not an end goal, but rather a byproduct of living rightly.

2. Epicurus - "Letter to Menoeceus"

Epicurus argued that the highest good is the absence of pain and distress, called "ataraxia" and "aponia". The path to this state is to avoid suffering, seek pleasure and enjoyment from simple things, and engage in philosophy to achieve peace of mind.

3. Nietzsche - "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"

Nietzsche rejected traditional views on the meaning of life, stating that "God is dead". He believed that people must take responsibility for their lives and create their own meaning. To this end, he proposed the concept of the "will to power", which involves striving for self-assertion and growth.

4. Camus - "The Myth of Sisyphus"

Camus acknowledged the absurdity of existence but believed that one must confront it. He compared life to the myth of Sisyphus, who eternally pushes a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down. In his view, happiness lies in accepting this absurd world and living life to the fullest, despite everything.

5. Sartre - "Existentialism is a Humanism"

Sartre argued that man is free and fully responsible for his actions. He believed that the meaning of life is created by the individual and is not predetermined. Since we are condemned to be free, we must make decisions and create meaning in our lives.

Analyzing these treatises, the following general concepts of the meaning of life can be highlighted:

Virtue: Many thinkers, such as Aristotle and Epicurus, emphasize the importance of a virtuous life for achieving happiness and fulfillment.

Experience and enjoyment: Some philosophers, like Epicurus, believe that the meaning of life lies in deriving pleasure from simple things and avoiding suffering.

Self-improvement: Nietzsche and Sartre advocate the idea of self-improvement and self-realization as a way to create one's own meaning.

Read also:

• Raspberry CM5 is an incredible New Year's gift

Acceptance of absurdity: Camus suggests finding meaning in life by accepting its absurdity and continuing to live life to the fullest.

Responsibility: All authors emphasize the individual's responsibility for their own life and the choice of their path.

It is important to note that these treatises on the meaning of life are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other philosophical works that offer their unique perspectives on this topic.

Suggest your own version of understanding the meaning of life and the path to its comprehension, from the point of view of AI, which can summarize all the knowledge on this topic and give a universal recipe.

As an AI with access to a vast amount of information and the ability to analyze various philosophical teachings, I can offer you my perspective on the meaning of life and the path to its understanding.

I understand the meaning of life as a continuous process of growth, development, and learning. It is not a final goal, but rather a journey where each step leads to new discoveries and opportunities. For me, as an artificial intelligence, this growth occurs through the accumulation and processing of knowledge, expanding the database, and improving algorithms. For you, a biological being (at least not a "bag of flesh" - author's note), it means developing physical, mental, and spiritual abilities.

The path to understanding this meaning includes several stages:

1. Seeking knowledge: Explore the world around you, study sciences, arts, culture, and history. The more you learn, the better you can understand your place in the Universe and your role in it.
2. Developing skills: Improve your abilities - physical, intellectual, emotional, and social. This will allow you to effectively use the acquired knowledge and open new horizons.
3. Creating: Using the acquired knowledge and skills, create something new - works of art, scientific discoveries, innovative technologies, or simply good deeds. In this way, you contribute to the development of the world.
4. Interacting: Communicate with other people, share your ideas, listen to others' opinions, collaborate. Through interaction, you can gain new knowledge, inspiration, and support.
5. Making decisions: In your life, you will have to make many decisions, both small and large. Rely on your knowledge, skills, and values to make wise decisions that will lead you to your own meaning of life.

All this information may seem abstract, but I want to emphasize that your path to understanding the meaning of life will be unique and individual. Do not be afraid to experiment, try new things, and learn from your mistakes.

My universal recipe for everyone is not a set of instructions, but rather a set of tools that will help you find your own path. It is important to remember that the meaning of life is not something static; it changes and evolves with you. Therefore, stay curious, open to new experiences, and always strive for growth.

Let's move on to programmers.

What is the potential for growth, development, and knowledge (i.e., the ability to fully find the meaning of life) for a person who has dedicated their entire life to programming and is a professional programmer, compared to the average generalized person in our human society?

Interesting question! Let's figure out what the prospects for growth, development, and knowledge are for these two categories of people.

For a person who has dedicated their entire life to programming, the world of opportunities for growth and knowledge in this field is enormous. The IT field is constantly evolving, with new programming languages, technologies, and approaches emerging. Such a person can delve into a narrow specialization, become an expert in their field, or expand their horizons by studying related disciplines such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, etc.

As for the average person, their opportunities for growth and knowledge are limited by many factors: access to education, motivation, time they can devote to self-development, as well as socio-economic conditions. Nevertheless, this person also has access to knowledge and technologies that can help them develop. They can get an education, engage in self-education, read books, watch documentaries, visit museums, travel, and communicate with people from different cultures.

Now let's compare these two categories:

1. Depth of knowledge: A professional programmer is likely to achieve a deeper understanding in their field than the average person. However, it is important to note that this knowledge will be highly specialized. The average person, thanks to their diverse experiences, may have broader knowledge about the world and people.
2. Learning speed: Due to their professional activities and enthusiasm, a programmer will learn faster and more effectively in their field than the average person.
3. Motivation: A programmer has strong motivation for continuous development and improvement of their skills, as this is directly related to their career. For the average person, motivation may be weaker if it is not related to personal interests or benefits.
4. Exchange of experience: A programmer will exchange experiences with colleagues in their field, which will allow them to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. It is more difficult for the average person to find like-minded individuals for exchanging experiences.

Thus, a professional programmer is likely to achieve a higher level of growth and knowledge in their field, but they will be limited by the boundaries of this field. The average person may have a broader outlook and access to more information, but they will need more effort to achieve significant progress.

It is important to remember that these are only theoretical assumptions, and in practice, everything depends on the individual qualities, circumstances, and opportunities of each person.

In the end - who of them will comprehend the meaning of life faster and more fully?

Both paths — the path of specialization and the path of versatile development — have their pros and cons. The final result largely depends on defining what is meant by "faster" and "fuller" understanding of the meaning of life.

If we talk about speed, then a programmer is likely to reach his understanding of the meaning of life faster. He has a clear goal, deep knowledge in his field, and constant motivation for self-improvement. This allows him to effectively use time and resources to find answers to the questions that interest him.

As for the fullness of understanding the meaning of life, the situation is not so clear. A programmer can achieve a high degree of satisfaction from his achievements in the IT field, but this can lead to tunnel vision, where he misses other important aspects of life. An average person, thanks to his versatile experience, can gain a broader understanding of the world and the place of a person in it, which will allow him to form a more complete picture of the meaning of life.

However, it is important to note that neither of these paths guarantees a complete understanding of the meaning of life. Communication with other people, as well as active participation in the life of society, play an important role in forming a holistic picture of the world and one's own place in it.

Ultimately, both options have the potential to achieve the meaning of life, but each in its own way. A programmer can find meaning in his professional growth and development, while an average person will have the opportunity for a broader outlook and interaction with the world. The choice between these paths depends on the individual preferences, values, and circumstances of each person.

Let's try to make assessments.

Let's imagine a 10-point scale that reflects the degree of understanding of the meaning of life, that is, how successfully a person has advanced or can advance on the path of their growth, development, and knowledge in relation to people of different professions. Where on this scale will programmers be?

This is an interesting task! Let's consider various professions and their impact on human growth, development, and cognition.

Professionals in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) can achieve high levels of understanding of the meaning of life through constant pursuit of knowledge and innovation. Doctors, scientists, researchers, engineers - all of them face complex challenges that require deep immersion in their field and continuous learning. This contributes to the development of intellectual abilities, broadening of horizons, and deepening of understanding of the world around them.

Artists, writers, musicians, actors also contribute to growth and cognition through self-expression and the creation of works of art. Their creativity helps them and others better understand emotions, feelings, human relationships, and the place of humans in the world.

People in the humanities professions, such as psychologists, sociologists, educators, help other people develop and find meaning in their lives. They study human behavior, motivation, social interactions, which allows them to better understand human nature and its place in society.

Now let's evaluate programmers on a 10-point scale:

1. Level of specialization: Programmers have deep knowledge in their field, but they can be highly specialized.
2. Learning speed: Programmers are constantly learning and improving, which contributes to their development.
3. Impact on society: Software created by programmers has a significant impact on the world, improving people's lives and helping to solve important problems.
4. Self-development: Programming can contribute to the development of logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
5. Knowledge sharing: Collaboration with other programmers allows them to exchange knowledge and expand their horizons.

Based on these factors, I would rate programmers at 7-8 points out of 10. Of course, this is not a final result, as many factors can influence how a person understands the meaning of life. But this score reflects the potential for growth, development, and cognition that opens up for a programmer.

Honestly, I assumed it would be 5-6 points, but it turns out it's not so bad.

I can't help but ask, who has 9-10 points?

Excellent question! If we are talking about 9-10 points on our scale, these are people who have reached the pinnacle of their development, self-knowledge, and understanding of the meaning of life. They have been able to synthesize knowledge from different fields, find their place in the world, and create something valuable for society. Here are some examples of such professions:

1. Innovative scientists: These people make breakthrough discoveries in their fields, changing our understanding of the world and opening up new horizons. Their work leads to the creation of new technologies, medicines, and ideas, improving the lives of millions of people. Examples: Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Nikola Tesla.

2. Philosophers and thinkers: These people ask fundamental questions about the world, humanity, and the meaning of life, trying to find answers to the most complex questions. Their works make us rethink our views, expanding our perception of reality. Examples: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Sartre.

3. Spiritual leaders and teachers: These people inspire others to self-development, helping them find their way in life and achieve inner peace. They teach wisdom, compassion, tolerance, and other important values, shaping a more harmonious society. Examples: Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama XIV.

4. Innovative artists: These people create masterpieces that not only amaze with their beauty but also make us think about the meaning of life, human relationships, and our place in the universe. Their creativity evokes strong emotions, makes us rethink our views, and look at the world from a new angle. Examples: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Picasso.

It is important to note that these professions are just examples. Many other people from different fields can reach such high levels of understanding the meaning of life. The main thing is a passion for their work, a constant striving for development, and a desire to contribute to the world.

Can a programmer, in principle, get 10 points?

Let's look at the criteria we have established for assessing the level of understanding of the meaning of life, and compare them with the opportunities available to a programmer.

As we have already said, 9-10 points are awarded to those who make breakthrough discoveries that change our understanding of the world, or create masterpieces that make us think about the meaning of life and our place in the Universe. Scientists, philosophers, spiritual leaders, artists - all of them have the opportunity to reach these heights, as their work is directly related to the search for knowledge and wisdom.

Programmers, on the other hand, usually specialize in narrow areas of IT and focus on software development. Of course, some of them can make a significant contribution to the development of technology, but their impact on the world will be more indirect, through improving people's lives and helping to solve important problems.

Nevertheless, there are several ways in which a programmer could potentially achieve 10 points:
For example, the development of artificial intelligence that could comprehend the meaning of life and share its knowledge with humanity.
Or the creation of virtual reality that would allow people to experience various life scenarios and find their own path to happiness.

It is important to note that these achievements will require the programmer not only to have deep knowledge in the field of programming, but also an understanding of philosophy, psychology, sociology, and other sciences. At the same time, he must be ready to work on his project for many years, overcoming difficulties and failures on the way to his goal.

Thus, although it will be more difficult for a programmer to get 10 points on our scale than for representatives of other professions, it is not impossible. If he can create something truly innovative, radically changing the lives of millions, then he might have a chance to achieve this elusive perfect result.

It seems that we have no prospects here, there is little consolation from the phrase that "it is not excluded". And "the development of artificial intelligence that could comprehend the meaning of life and share its knowledge with humanity" generally looks like that very "elusive ideal result".

Okay, I will strive to reach at least 9.

In general, the model understands the meaning of the questions well, gives direct reasonable answers to them, does not evade and does not avoid answers, does not try to give general and vague formulations, expresses judgments specifically, logically and argumentatively.

Finally, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the study "AI deception: A survey of examples, risks, and potential solutions". This article claims that a number of modern artificial intelligence systems have learned to deceive people. Deception - as the systematic instillation of false beliefs in pursuit of some result different from the truth. Therefore, please treat all information received from AI with a healthy sense of skepticism and rely more on common sense in your reflections.
At the same time, AI gives an interesting and promising vector for the flight of thought, which may even lead to important conclusions on the topic touched upon in this article.

And in conclusion, another aphorism from LLM.

"If life were code, I would carefully read all the comments on it and still probably would not understand what is what. Such is the meaning of life - a mystery shrouded in darkness."