7 Questions Socrates Asked a Silicon Valley Startup
Find out how Socrates turned the tables around during his interview
Socrates interviews for a vacancy in Silicon Valley. Check out whether or not he was hired.
There is little known about the Greek philosopher Socrates, who is considered to be one of the most important figures in Western philosophy. He was the son of a stonemason and a midwife. Even though some accounts say he apprenticed to his father’s craft, he opted for a life of intellectual activity (whatever that means) and introspection, pursuing philosophy.
The term philosophy means love of wisdom, which etymologically derives from the combination of the words philos (loving) and sofos (wisdom). In ancient Greece, exercising philosophy was conceived of as a way of life. In other words, a philosopher was someone interested in discovering and gaining knowledge of truth in order to live wisely. The ultimate goal of living wisely was to prepare one for death.
Socrates is considered to be an enigmatic figure, because a major part of what we know about him comes to us primarily through the dialogues of his disciple Plato, among others.
You see, Socrates was the antithesis of modern-day academic philosophy. He frequented the agora (marketplace) and struck-up conversations with anyone who came across him, be it a stranger, a friend, young, or old.
His trademark was asking questions, about virtually any subject one could think of. Some of these questions were: what is justice? What is virtue? What is love? Etc.
Such general questions about the definition of very abstract concepts were intended to challenge his interlocutors, who usually claimed to know more than they actually did about the topic at hand.
As a result, the dynamic that governed the Socratic dialogue included attempted responses to the initial inquiry that were followed up by more challenging questions (more often than not characterized with a sarcastic undertone) without necessarily reaching a definitive answer, if at all.
This came to be known as the Socratic dialectic. Ultimately, the goal of such an exercise was not so much to find a clear definition of the concept in question but to establish a rapport that helped the interlocutors and the listener crowd develop a mechanism that helped them achieve a deeper understanding of the array of ethical, social, and metaphysical subjects humans usually grapple with. Accordingly, Socrates used to merely scratch the surface in order to challenge common views and dogmas by asking relevant questions.
Due to his controversial stances, which were accompanied by a discernible sarcastic grin, he was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and was subsequently sentenced to death by the Athenian government in a public trial.
The above introduction was intended as a segue to the below:
Socrates sits for an interview with a Silicon Valley startup. Instead of answering the company’s typical questions, he opted to shift roles, to concord with his principles. Apparently, things did not go as intended. Here’s what happened at the interview.
Soc: What is the point of AI?
To help businesses gain a competitive edge.
Soc: What is the main driving motive behind this AI hype?
Everybody seems to be doing it.
Soc: Is AI ever going to achieve a state of self-consciousness?
Who cares, insofar as it is working perfectly fine!
Soc: How would you ensure virtuous AI systems?
Is that even a thing? Uber’s accident was merely a glitch in the system, AI systems would know better, and they’re going to be omniscient.
Soc: How do you know what constitutes virtuous behavior?
Again with the useless ethics questions!
Soc: Do you care about any other thing than mainly increasing your profits?
…
Soc: Are you aware that by not accounting for the risk of unlikely events you might end up subjecting your business to a debacle that you could easily avoid otherwise?
What, you think we are Facebook? Of course, this is not going to happen to us.
Astonished, having had a Socratic overdose, the head of the committee showed Socrates the way out and suggested that he never contacted them ever again.
You can find me on Twitter @decafquest.