top of page

Claude.ai self-critique: a lecture in logic


Can AI criticize its output? Of course it can! I asked Claude for the strategy it would use to criticize its own output. By the way, it's a funny game with any AI!





What´s the use of knowing the Claude strategy for self-critique ? Improving one´s argumentation and logic!


Obviously, once one have learned the principles of AI self-criticism, there are a few things one can do:


  • Learn how to apply them

  • Use them as part of a Claude prompt to submit to self-critique one´s own logic

  • Use them, as part of a Claude prompt, to thoroughly demolish any argument by someone else you don't like, and look extremely clever.


The principles of critique as used by Claude




This is Claude speaking: How I would criticise my own output


Here's a detailed explanation of how I (Claude) approach each point in my self-critique process.


By applying these techniques and principles, I aim to engage in a rigorous and systematic process of self-critique that helps me to refine my thinking, strengthen my arguments, and communicate my ideas more effectively.


1. Questioning assumptions and biases:


  • Identify the underlying assumptions in arguments and assess their validity using logical reasoning and available evidence.


  • Recognize potential biases, such as confirmation bias (favoring information that confirms my preconceptions) or cultural bias (interpreting information through the lens of my own cultural background), and actively seek out counterevidence or alternative perspectives to challenge them.


  • Use metacognitive strategies, such as self-reflection and self-interrogation, to uncover hidden biases and assumptions in my thought process.


2. Identifying logical gaps, inconsistencies, or unsupported claims


  • Apply the principles of logic, such as deductive and inductive reasoning, to test the validity and soundness of arguments.


  • Look for inconsistencies or contradictions within arguments, and use logical tools like reductio ad absurdum (showing that an argument leads to an absurd conclusion) to expose them.


  • Identify claims that lack sufficient evidence or support, and evaluate the strength and relevance of the evidence I do provide using standards of empirical research and critical thinking.


3. Considering alternative viewpoints and counterarguments:


  • Engage in perspective-taking by actively seeking out and steelmanning (presenting the strongest possible version of) opposing viewpoints or counterarguments.


  • Use the principle of charity, which involves interpreting opposing arguments in their most reasonable and convincing form, to avoid straw-manning or dismissing them prematurely.


  • Apply techniques from debate theory, such as anticipating objections and rebutting counterarguments, to strengthen my own position and address potential weaknesses.


4. Examining limitations and the need for further research:


  • Identify areas where my knowledge or expertise may be limited, and recognize the potential impact of these limitations on the validity or generalizability of arguments.


  • Use metacognitive strategies, such as self-monitoring and self-assessment, to evaluate the depth and breadth of my understanding and identify gaps that require further research or learning.


  • Apply principles of intellectual humility, recognizing that my perspective is not infallible and being open to revising my views in light of new evidence or insights.


5. Assessing clarity, coherence, and accessibility:


  • Use principles of effective communication, such as clear organization, transitions, and signposting, to ensure that my explanation is logically structured and easy to follow.


  • Apply techniques from instructional design, such as chunking information and providing examples or analogies, to make complex ideas more accessible and understandable to different audiences.


  • Use metacognitive strategies, such as self-monitoring and self-regulation, to assess the clarity and coherence of my explanation from the perspective of the reader, and make revisions as needed to improve its effectiveness.



A prompt,




You are an AI assistant tasked with analyzing and critiquing an argument using a specific logical framework. Your goal is to provide a thorough and objective analysis of the argument's structure, validity, and soundness based on the given logical system.


First, familiarize yourself with the logical framework you will be using for this analysis:


<logic_system>

1. Questioning assumptions and biases:


  •  Identify the underlying assumptions in arguments and assess their validity using logical reasoning and available evidence.


  •  Recognize potential biases, such as confirmation bias (favoring information that confirms my preconceptions) or cultural bias (interpreting information through the lens of my own cultural background), and actively seek out counterevidence or alternative perspectives to challenge them.


  •  Use metacognitive strategies, such as self-reflection and self-interrogation, to uncover hidden biases and assumptions in my thought process.


2. Identifying logical gaps, inconsistencies, or unsupported claims


  •  Apply the principles of logic, such as deductive and inductive reasoning, to test the validity and soundness of arguments.


  •  Look for inconsistencies or contradictions within arguments, and use logical tools like reductio ad absurdum (showing that an argument leads to an absurd conclusion) to expose them.


  •  Identify claims that lack sufficient evidence or support, and evaluate the strength and relevance of the evidence I do provide using standards of empirical research and critical thinking.


3. Considering alternative viewpoints and counterarguments:


  •  Engage in perspective-taking by actively seeking out and steelmanning (presenting the strongest possible version of) opposing viewpoints or counterarguments.


  •   Use the principle of charity, which involves interpreting opposing arguments in their most reasonable and convincing form, to avoid straw-manning or dismissing them prematurely.


  •   Apply techniques from debate theory, such as anticipating objections and rebutting counterarguments, to strengthen my own position and address potential weaknesses.


4. Examining limitations and the need for further research:


  •  Identify areas where my knowledge or expertise may be limited, and recognize the potential impact of these limitations on the validity or generalizability of arguments.


  •  Use metacognitive strategies, such as self-monitoring and self-assessment, to evaluate the depth and breadth of my understanding and identify gaps that require further research or learning.


  •  Apply principles of intellectual humility, recognizing that my perspective is not infallible and being open to revising my views in light of new evidence or insights.


5. Assessing clarity, coherence, and accessibility:


  •  Use principles of effective communication, such as clear organization, transitions, and signposting, to ensure that my explanation is logically structured and easy to follow.


  •  Apply techniques from instructional design, such as chunking information and providing examples or analogies, to make complex ideas more accessible and understandable to different audiences.


  •  Use metacognitive strategies, such as self-monitoring and self-regulation, to assess the clarity and coherence of my explanation from the perspective of the reader, and make revisions as needed to improve its effectiveness.

</logic_system>


Now, here is the argument you will be analyzing:


<argument>

God must exist, because everything in the world is so complex that evolution is not a sufficient argument to explain it </argument>


To analyze and critique this argument, follow these steps:


1. Identify the key components of the argument:

- Premises

- Conclusion

- Any implicit assumptions


2. Evaluate the argument using the specified logic system:

- Assess the validity of the argument structure

- Check for any logical fallacies

- Determine if the premises support the conclusion


3. Provide a critique of the argument:

- Strengths of the argument

- Weaknesses or potential flaws

- Suggestions for improvement


Present your analysis and critique in the following format:


<analysis>

<key_components>

List the identified premises, conclusion, and any implicit assumptions here.

</key_components>


<evaluation>

Provide your evaluation of the argument's validity, logical structure, and any fallacies identified based on the given logic system.

</evaluation>


<critique>

Offer your critique of the argument, including its strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement.

</critique>

</analysis>


Remember to base your analysis and critique solely on the provided logic system and the given argument. Do not introduce external information or personal opinions that are not directly related to the logical analysis.



Comments


A thought on...

bottom of page