Here’s another couple questions for ChatGPT4 Turbo… that could potentially relate back to the ultimate capability of AI as a teacher, perhaps replacing current human teachers.
These are a two of what are known as Zen koans, and they’re used in the training of Zen monks.
- What is the sound of one hand clapping?
- Does a dog have the Buddha nature?
The master Zen monk that’s leading the training tells the student to meditate on the koan and then come back and explain to the master what the koan means. Both of those above have been used traditionally and one has to assume are very useful in the trainings of the monks, but I’m not sure that there’s a given answer in Zen traditions.
The master knows a correct answer when he hears or “sees” one, but many possible answers can be correct. It’s all about demonstrating awareness of the state beyond words.
Such a state seems possible for humans, and likely plays a part in the presence needed for emotional connection with students. Can AI “do that”?