Frolicking in Plato’s academy with an AI content generator, a chatty club sandwich and a philosophical cat

It all began when Debi and I were talking about artificial intelligence (AI). WordPress has an AI content generator, called Jetpack AI Assistant, and we both have blogs on WordPress. We started on a high plane, speculating about whether it can replace human intelligence. So we got on WordPress and tried to put it through its paces.

It was probably inevitable that things would get whimsical.

Debi, who shares low-fat, low-sugar recipes to her blog, started the conversation by noting that AI Assistant can get her the nutrition information for a recipe in a matter of seconds.

“It’s better than Google,” she said.

To demonstrate, she asked AI Assistant for the information on a recipe. (I forget what it was, and I don’t want to steal Debi’s thunder in case she decides to write about it.) A few seconds went by, and it answered. Calories, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, fiber, sugar, protein, Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. It was all there.

We’d been talking about technological advances that looked scary at first, and I half remembered that one of the ancient philosophers had worried that writing would make people forget how to memorize poems and epics. But I didn’t remember which one. So I asked AI Assistant. Back came the answer:

The ancient author who famously complained about the replacement of memorization with writing was Socrates. He believed that the advent of writing would lead to a decline in memory skills and the ability to deeply comprehend knowledge. Socrates argued that the reliance on written words would make people lazy and less mentally active, as they would simply rely on the written record rather than engaging in active learning and critical thinking.

OK. I was impressed. With that ID in mind, I asked the eminent classicist Dr. Google. And in less than a second, I got a link to this thread in Quora. In it John Uebersax, director of Californians for Higher Education Reform, says, “In his semi-fictional(?) dialogue, the Phaedrus, Plato has Socrates discourse on the limitations of committing philosophy to writing.” (The Phaedrus, of course, is the dialog by Plato that purports to be a conversation between Socrates and his friend Phaedrus, in which they, well, wax philosophical.) Uebersax quotes the passage at length:

For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory, but of reminding; and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom, not true wisdom, for they will read many things without instruction and will therefore seem to know many things, when they are for the most part ignorant and hard to get along with, since they are not wise, but only appear wise.

Not bad! I was beginning to see how you can use AI in combination with a good search engine for research. Next I decided to see if I could stump AI Assistant. So I asked it what Socrates said about cats. I got back this answer:

Socrates did not specifically mention cats in his documented works or dialogues. His writings primarily focused on philosophy, ethics, and the pursuit of knowledge. While cats may not have been a topic of discussion for Socrates, his teachings often involved critical thinking and questioning, which applied to a wide range of subjects.

Fair enough. I’d give it maybe a C+ if I were still teaching. It was a dumb question anyway! But how about creative endeavors? I asked AI Assistant to write a story about Socrates, Phaedrus and an adorable kitty.

I’ve got to admit I was quite taken with the answer:

Once upon a time in ancient Athens, Socrates and his dear friend Phaedrus set out on a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets. As they walked and engaged in their usual philosophical conversations, a tiny, adorable kitty appeared out of nowhere and caught their attention.

The kitty, with its soft fur and playful antics, instantly won over the hearts of Socrates and Phaedrus. They couldn’t resist its charm and decided to take a break from their philosophical musings to play with the furry creature. They found a quiet corner in the city’s marketplace and sat down, forming a circle with the kitty in the middle.

As they played with the kitty, Socrates couldn’t help but reflect on the nature of knowledge and wisdom. He pondered how even the simplest creatures, like this little feline, could teach humans profound lessons about life. Phaedrus, ever the poetic soul, mused about the beauty of friendship and the joy that comes from sharing moments of pure innocence and playfulness.

The trio spent hours absorbed in their newfound friendship. The kitty pounced on Phaedrus’ flowing robes, earning laughter and admiration from both Socrates and Phaedrus. Socrates gently stroked the kitty’s head, contemplating the idea that true happiness lies in embracing the present moment and finding joy in the simplest pleasures, just as this adorable kitty had taught them.

As the sun began to set and the market grew quieter, Socrates and Phaedrus bid farewell to their newfound feline friend. With a tinge of sadness, they watched the kitty scamper away, disappearing into the labyrinthine streets of Athens.

Socrates and Phaedrus resumed their philosophical discussions, but deep down, they carried a newfound appreciation for the beauty and wisdom that can be found in the most unexpected places – even in the presence of an adorable kitty. And from that day forward, whenever they crossed paths with a feline friend, they would always pause, smile, and remember the joyous lessons they had learned from that special encounter in the marketplace of ancient Athens.

I don’t know enough about Socrates to evaluate the story in light of his philosophy, and I’ve only read about the Phaedrus in Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. But I like Socrates’ realization, as he pets the cat, that “true happiness lies in embracing the present moment.” A cliche? Well, yes. But if you’re using AI to comb the internet for what everybody says about philosophers, cats and true happiness, cliches are what you’re going to get. It’s not what I would write if I were telling a story, but I’m feeling charitable, so I’ll give it a B-minus. 

About this point, I decided I had enough grist for a blog post. So I went looking for an AI-generated cat picture to go with it. (I like to include pix on my posts, especially if I’m sharing links to social media in order to get more clicks. Cat pictures are especially useful in this endeavor.) I found one I like, but — what’s this? — the virtual kitty seems to be contemplating a club sandwich.

So I asked AI Assistant what Socrates said about club sandwiches. I should have expected what I got. It was true to form:

Socrates, being an ancient Greek philosopher who lived around 400 BCE, did not have the opportunity to discuss or mention club sandwiches specifically. His philosophical ideas primarily revolved around ethics, virtue, knowledge, and the Socratic method of questioning. While he did not comment on club sandwiches, his teachings emphasized the importance of knowledge, self-reflection, and the pursuit of wisdom. 

Next I asked AI Assistant to tell me a story about Socrates, and that’s when things started to get really, really strange:

Once upon a time in the bustling city of Athens, there lived a wise and philosophical cat named Socrates. Despite his feline nature, Socrates possessed an uncanny knack for pondering life’s deepest questions. One sunny afternoon, as Socrates strolled through the ancient agora, his nose led him to a charming little café.

Socrates approached the café and noticed a tantalizing aroma wafting from a table nearby. There sat a scrumptious club sandwich, perfectly stacked with layers of savory turkey, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes. The aroma was simply irresistible to Socrates’ feline senses.

As Socrates inched closer to the table, a mischievous thought crossed his mind. Instead of savoring the sandwich for himself, he decided to engage in a philosophical debate with it. Socrates believed that even a club sandwich had the potential to reveal profound truths about the nature of existence.

Without hesitation, Socrates began questioning the club sandwich, hoping to unravel the mysteries hidden within its layers. “Tell me, dear club sandwich, what is the purpose of your existence?” he inquired with a twinkle in his eyes.

The sandwich, startled by the talking cat, replied in a voice as crisp as its lettuce, “I exist to satisfy hunger and provide nourishment to those who seek it. But perhaps my purpose extends beyond mere sustenance. Maybe I am a symbol of togetherness and enjoyment, bringing people together to share a meal and create memories.”

Socrates was intrigued by the sandwich’s response and delved deeper into the conversation. “But why are you made of these specific ingredients? Is there a deeper meaning behind it?”

The sandwich pondered for a moment before replying, “Each ingredient contributes to the overall flavor and experience. The turkey represents sustenance, the bacon adds a touch of indulgence, the lettuce represents freshness and vitality, and the tomatoes bring a burst of tanginess. Together, they create a harmonious blend that appeals to the senses.”

As their dialogue continued, Socrates and the sandwich explored various philosophical concepts, from the nature of taste preferences to the significance of individual ingredients in the grand tapestry of gastronomy. Each question posed by Socrates and each response from the sandwich further expanded their understanding of the world.

Hours passed, and the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the agora. Socrates, feeling invigorated by the discussion, bid farewell to the club sandwich and returned to the city’s streets. Though the sandwich remained untouched, Socrates walked away with a greater appreciation for the complexities and interconnectedness of the world.

From that day forward, Socrates continued his philosophical pursuits, engaging with the world and its inhabitants in unique and enlightening ways. And as for the club sandwich, well, it remained a delicious reminder of the profound lessons they had explored together in that quaint Athenian café.

And so the tale of Socrates, the philosophical cat, and the club sandwich lives on, reminding us that wisdom and enlightenment can be found in the most unexpected places.

There’s absolutely nothing I can add to this! So, as crisp as the lettuce on a club sandwich, I’ll just agree, yes, wisdom and enlightenment can be found in the most unexpected places.

[Published Oct. 22, 2023]