Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza’s ideas on religion, ethics, and human freedom laid the foundation for many of the basic morals and values of modern society.
And now you can tap some of the 17th century philosopher’s old-school wisdom straight from your smartphone. Today, the Dutch Humanist Association launched a WhatsApp chat where a Spinoza-inspired chatbot can provide answers to your most pressing questions.
Is humanity doomed? Are we alone in the universe? Is this a matrix? Would it be unethical to deport Elon Musk to Mars? All important considerations that you can refer to Spinoza’s digital doppelganger.
“Spinoza’s timeless wisdom can help us look at personal dilemmas, ethical issues or societal challenges from a new perspective,” Robbert Bodegraven, director of the Humanist Association, said in a comment.
Spinoza’s digital ghost is based on ChatGPT. The AI model was then trained on the late philosopher’s writings, thoughts, and ideas.
We decided to slide into Spinoza’s DMs to pick his brain. (BTW: The old man doesn’t speak English so all of his answers have been translated from Dutch).
Q: Considering all the hate and disinformation on social media, should I delete it from my life?
A: I think, given all the hate and disinformation on social media, it is important to be critical and take responsibility for what we share and spread. Let us work together to create an online environment that is friendly, respectful, and informative. Let’s focus on the power of connection and thoughtful communication. Let’s work together to create a more respectful and empathetic online community.
Amen…
Q: Why do we go to war?
A: I believe it stems from a lack of understanding and connection between people. Emotions like fear, greed, and hatred drive many conflicts, but these are the result of our understanding or misunderstanding. We must strive for self-knowledge, empathy and rational thinking to find peaceful solutions. Together, we can use human strength to live together peacefully and strive for a just society.
Makes sense…
Q: Should we deport Elon Musk to Mars?
A: I believe there is no need to deport Elon Musk to Mars. We are all connected to each other and to the world around us, and we should strive together for progress and well-being for all. Every individual has a responsibility to contribute to a better world and I think Elon Musk, with his talents and innovations, can contribute to this on Earth. Let us focus on joining forces for a positive future.
Sorry Spinoza, but I respectfully disagree…
Even though Spinoza 2.0 won’t compete with more advanced AI models on most general applications, nor was it designed to, I still found his more reflective answers a welcome break from the likes of ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Even if that’s just because I was posing more philosophical questions than usual.
Got a query of your own? Hit up Spinoza here and make up your own mind on the bot’s capabilities.