ChatGPT, meet Claude.ai

With the popularity of ChatGPT and AI powered search engines like Bing and Google Bard, others are entering the market. I recently took the new Claude.ai for a spin.

I tested it with a series of questions, the answers of which I already knew. I also tested ChatGPT’s responses along side for a comparison.

Here’s the first question: why can't we feel the earth spinning?

Claude.ai:

There are a few reasons why we can't feel the Earth spinning:

- The spin is very gradual. The Earth rotates at about 1,000 mph at the equator. But this spin takes 24 hours to complete one rotation. So the movement is actually quite slow from our perspective on the surface.

- The atmosphere spins with the Earth. The air surrounding us is moving at the same speed, so we don't feel any wind from the rotation.

- We lack a reference point. Without seeing a visual reference point like the sun or stars, it's hard for us to perceive that we're moving. On the Earth's surface, our surroundings are rotating with us, so everything seems stationary.

- Evolution hasn't given us a sensing organ for it. We don't have any biological mechanism that allows us to directly sense the planet's rotation. Our inner ear can only sense changes in motion, not constant motion.

- The force of gravity counters it. The Earth's gravitational pull keeps us grounded firmly on the surface as it rotates. This masks any sense of motion.

So while the Earth spins rapidly, the motion is so smooth and constant that we simply can't perceive it going on beneath our feet without aids like watching the stars. Our senses just aren't tuned to feel that kind of subtle, large-scale motion directly.

ChatGPT 3.5:

The Earth is indeed rotating on its axis, completing one full rotation approximately every 24 hours. Despite this constant motion, we do not feel the Earth spinning, and there are several reasons for this:

1. Inertia: Objects at rest tend to stay at rest, and objects in motion tend to stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Since we are part of the Earth and moving along with it, we share its rotational motion. This concept is described by Newton's first law of motion. As a result, we do not feel any sensation of movement.

2. Constant rotational speed: The Earth's rotation is relatively constant at its equator, with a speed of about 1670 kilometers per hour (1037 miles per hour). This consistent speed means that there is no acceleration or deceleration, which would typically trigger sensations of motion. When we travel in a car or on a roller coaster, we can feel acceleration and changes in speed, which are not present in the Earth's rotational motion.

3. Gravitational pull: We are held to the Earth's surface by the force of gravity, which keeps us firmly anchored. Gravity pulls us towards the Earth's center, and this force is much stronger than the force generated by the Earth's rotation. As a result, the effect of the Earth's rotation on our bodies is negligible.

4. Lack of external reference: We typically perceive motion concerning external objects or reference points. For instance, when you are in a moving car, you can see the outside environment passing by, which gives you a sense of motion. However, since we are all moving together with the Earth, there is no external frame of reference to make us feel the rotational motion.

While we don't feel the Earth's rotation in a direct, sensory way, its rotational motion does have significant effects, such as the day-night cycle and the Coriolis effect influencing weather patterns and ocean currents. These effects have been scientifically studied and understood, even though we don't experience the spinning sensation ourselves.

ChatGPT 4.0:

The Earth does indeed spin on its axis, completing a full rotation every 24 hours. But there are several reasons why we don't feel this movement.

1. Constant velocity: The principle of inertia tells us that an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. Similarly, an object at rest tends to stay at rest. We don't feel movement in a constant, unchanging direction and speed. Just as you don't feel movement in a smoothly driving car or in a plane, you don't feel the Earth spinning because the speed and direction of the spin are constant.

2. Relativity of motion: We measure motion relative to other things. Because everything around us is also moving with the Earth, we don't have a stationary point of reference to clearly perceive that motion.

3. Gravity: Earth's gravity pulls us and everything else towards its center, helping to keep us 'stuck' to its surface. Even as the Earth spins, gravity holds us firmly in place.

4. Scale and Speed: Earth's spin isn't as fast as you might think. Despite the Earth's large size (with a circumference of about 40,075 kilometers), it rotates once every 24 hours, so at the equator, the speed is about 1670 kilometers/hour (or around 465 meters/second). While this seems fast, remember that this is spread over a huge distance. Moreover, compared to the size of Earth and the distances over which we usually move, this speed is not very noticeable.

In summary, because of the principles of inertia and relative motion, the gravitational pull, and the sheer scale and speed of the Earth's rotation, we don't feel the Earth spinning.

Analysis

Claude.ai’s responses tend to be brief. The sentences in response are simple and succinct. There doesn’t tend to be the repetitiveness in them that I find in the ChatGPT responses. Between 3.5 & 4.0, the responses from 4.0 feel more natural. 3.5 feels a bit like “mansplaining.”

Here’s a follow-up question: how fast is the earth moving through space?

Claude.ai

The Earth is actually moving through space quite rapidly in a few different ways:

- Rotation on axis - The Earth rotates on its axis at a speed of about 1,000 mph (1,600 km/h) at the equator.

- Orbit around the Sun - The Earth orbits the Sun at an average velocity of 67,000 mph (107,000 km/h). It completes one revolution every 365.25 days.

- Solar system orbit - The Sun itself, along with all its planets, is orbiting the center of the Milky Way galaxy at a speed of about 448,000 mph (720,000 km/h). It takes about 225-250 million years to complete one orbit.

- Milky Way motion - The Milky Way galaxy is also moving through space at about 1.3 million mph (2.1 million km/h) with respect to the cosmic microwave background radiation.

So in total, the motions add up to the Earth moving through space at around 1.75 million mph (2.8 million km/h) in various directions! We don't feel any of this motion because we are moving with the Earth. All this motion is relative to other objects in space outside of our reference frame on Earth.

ChatGPT 3.5:

The Earth is moving through space at an incredibly high speed. There are two main components to its motion:

1. Rotation: The Earth rotates on its axis, completing one full rotation approximately every 24 hours. At the equator, the speed of rotation is about 1670 kilometers per hour (1037 miles per hour).

2. Revolution: The Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one full revolution approximately every 365.25 days. The average speed of Earth's orbital motion around the Sun is about 107,000 kilometers per hour (66,500 miles per hour).

So, while we may not feel this motion due to the reasons mentioned earlier, the Earth is continuously hurtling through space at an astounding speed, both spinning on its axis and orbiting around the Sun.

ChatGPT 4.0:

The Earth moves through space at several different speeds due to a variety of different motions. Here are a few of them:

1. **Rotation**: The Earth rotates on its axis once roughly every 24 hours, which is a speed of about 1,670 kilometers per hour (or about 1,040 miles per hour) at the equator.

2. **Orbit around the Sun**: Earth orbits the Sun once every 365.25 days. Given the circumference of the orbit, this translates to a speed of about 107,200 kilometers per hour (or about 66,600 miles per hour).

3. **Motion within the Milky Way**: The Solar System, including Earth, is located within the Milky Way galaxy and orbits the galactic center. This speed is much faster, estimated to be approximately 828,000 kilometers per hour (or about 514,000 miles per hour).

4. **Motion of the Milky Way**: Our galaxy is also moving through space, largely influenced by the gravitational attraction of the nearby Andromeda galaxy and the Great Attractor, a gravitational anomaly in intergalactic space. The speed of the Milky Way itself is roughly 2.1 million kilometers per hour (or about 1.3 million miles per hour).

So, depending on what you're measuring against, Earth is moving at a variety of different speeds simultaneously. But similar to why we can't feel Earth's rotation, we don't feel these speeds because they're constant and we don't have a fixed point of reference.

Analysis

The response from Claude.ai was quite similar to that of ChatGPT 4.0. 3.5’s answer was short, seemingly stunted. Claude.ai tends to approximate where 4.0 gives more accurate numbers.

Next question: Why do you think Albert Pike mixed so many religious sources into his Morals and Dogma book?

Claude.ai:

I do not have enough context to determine Albert Pike's specific motivations for writing Morals and Dogma. However, some possible reasons he may have incorporated multiple religious sources are:

- To show the universality of moral principles across different faiths and cultures. By including perspectives from various traditions, he may have been trying to find common ground on moral and spiritual matters.

- To provide a comprehensive perspective on moral philosophy and religion. By synthesizing different viewpoints, he may have aimed to create a thorough guidebook on morality for Freemasons.

- To emphasize the symbolic and allegorical nature of religion. Pike saw much religious doctrine as representing inner truths rather than literal fact. He may have brought in diverse sources to illustrate this perspective.

- To align with Masonic principles of religious tolerance. Including diverse religious material may have been an expression of Masonry's openness to people of all faiths.

- To appeal to a wide readership. Referencing multiple religions likely made the book accessible and interesting to more people.

Without more insight into Pike's intentions, I can only speculate on his reasons. His motivations were likely complex and nuanced. But in general, he seemed to value the integration of religious ideas from many traditions.

ChatGPT 3.5:

Albert Pike, a prominent Freemason, is best known for his influential work "Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry," which was first published in 1871. The book delves into the philosophical and esoteric teachings of Freemasonry, drawing on a wide range of religious, philosophical, and historical sources. There are several reasons why Albert Pike incorporated so many religious sources into his book:

1. Syncretism: Freemasonry, particularly the Scottish Rite, has a long history of syncretism, which refers to the blending of different religious and philosophical ideas. It seeks to find commonalities among various belief systems and uses them to convey moral and spiritual lessons. By incorporating diverse religious sources, Pike aimed to emphasize the universal principles that underlie many faiths.

2. Historical context: During the 19th century, there was significant interest in comparative religion and esoteric studies. Scholars and thinkers of that era often explored various religious traditions to better understand human spirituality and the origins of religious symbolism. Pike was influenced by this intellectual climate and sought to present Freemasonry's teachings in a broader context.

3. Esoteric traditions: Freemasonry has deep connections to esoteric traditions, including Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and Gnosticism. These traditions often draw from multiple sources, incorporating mystical and symbolic elements from different religions. Pike's Morals and Dogma aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Freemasonry's esoteric teachings, which necessitated drawing from diverse sources.

4. Educational purpose: Pike intended "Morals and Dogma" to be an educational resource for Freemasons advancing through the degrees of the Scottish Rite. The book serves as a guide for moral and intellectual development, and incorporating a wide range of religious sources was intended to offer a rich tapestry of knowledge for Masonic initiates to contemplate and learn from.

5. Symbolic language: Pike often used allegorical and symbolic language in his writings, and religious texts are a rich source of symbolism. By drawing on religious sources, he could convey complex philosophical concepts through familiar symbols and metaphors, making it more accessible to Freemasons.

6. Encouraging tolerance and respect: By exploring various religious traditions in "Morals and Dogma," Pike likely sought to promote a spirit of tolerance and understanding among Freemasons. By emphasizing the common threads between different faiths, he encouraged a respectful approach to diverse belief systems.

It's important to note that while Pike's work has been highly influential within Freemasonry, not all Freemasons interpret his writings in the same way. Freemasonry itself is a decentralized organization, and individual interpretations of its teachings can vary among its members.

ChatGPT 4.0:

As an AI language model, I don't form personal opinions, but I can provide an analysis based on the data I have been trained on.

Albert Pike (1809–1891) was an influential figure in Freemasonry, particularly in the United States, and his work "Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry" is considered a cornerstone of Masonic philosophy. This voluminous work covers the 33 degrees of the Scottish Rite, an appendant body of Freemasonry.

Pike's "Morals and Dogma" is a synthesis of various religious, philosophical, and esoteric traditions. This blending reflects several possible motivations:

1. **Universality:** Freemasonry itself is non-denominational and emphasizes the universal brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God. By drawing on a broad array of religious and philosophical traditions, Pike emphasizes this universality, showcasing that Masonic principles can be found across different cultures and times.

2. **Symbolism:** Masonic ritual and philosophy heavily utilize symbolism. The various religious and philosophical systems that Pike cites in "Morals and Dogma" are rich in symbolic meaning, which he uses to explain and expand upon Masonic symbolism.

3. **Wisdom Tradition:** Pike, like many 19th-century esotericists, believed in a primordial "wisdom tradition" underlying all religions and philosophies. In his view, this ancient wisdom has been transmitted through different cultural expressions over the millennia, and by studying these diverse sources, one can gain insight into this universal wisdom.

4. **Learning and Personal Growth:** Freemasonry places a strong emphasis on education and self-improvement. The eclectic sourcing in "Morals and Dogma" reflects this, encouraging readers to broaden their horizons and develop their understanding by engaging with a diverse range of ideas.

Remember, Pike's "Morals and Dogma" is not a definitive statement of Masonic doctrine but rather his personal interpretation of it. As such, his work should be understood in the context of his personal beliefs and the intellectual climate of his time.

Analysis:

Both Claude.ai and ChatGPT 4.0 build in disclaimers of sorts. 3.5 does not. This is an important point because 3.5 is free, and you have to pay for 4.0. Thus, a lot of people are using 3.5, and getting the stunted, disclaimer-free versions of responses. Claude.ai is free (for now?).

Follow up question: which religion gets the most coverage?

Claude.ai:

Based on my research, it seems that Albert Pike drew extensively from the Bible and Christianity in Morals and Dogma. However, he also incorporated substantial material from other religions as well.

Some key details on the religious coverage in Morals and Dogma:

- There are many quotes, passages, and philosophical references to the Bible and Christian theology throughout the book. This includes discussion of characters and lessons from both the Old and New Testaments.

- Judaism is also addressed frequently, including the Kabbalah and principles of Jewish mysticism. The Torah and Talmud are cited multiple times.

- Egyptian mythology and Hermeticism receive a good amount of coverage, particularly in relation to Masonic rituals and symbolism.

- Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and Hinduism are referenced less extensively but Pike does quote from their sacred texts and traditions.

- Islam and Confucianism appear to get more limited direct references, though Pike may have incorporated some ideas indirectly.

- Pike covers pagan mythology from Greece, Rome, Scandinavia and other regions mostly in the context of comparing different legends and symbols.

So while Christianity seems to get the plurality of Pike's attention, he attempts to integrate ideas from many major Eastern and Western religions. His focus does seem to align with Masonic and Western esoteric traditions for the most part. But Morals and Dogma is still rather diverse given its 19th century origins.

ChatGPT 3.5:

The amount of coverage that a religion receives can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the geographical region, the dominant religious demographics in that region, the media landscape, and global events. Generally, the world's major religions tend to receive more coverage in the media due to their large followings and global impact. Some of the religions that often receive significant coverage include:

1. Christianity: With over 2 billion adherents worldwide, Christianity is the largest religion and, therefore, receives substantial media coverage. Events related to the Vatican, Christian holidays, and religious figures often make headlines.

2. Islam: As the second-largest religion in the world, with approximately 1.8 billion followers, Islam also receives significant media attention. News related to Islamic countries, religious conflicts, and issues related to Islamophobia are often covered extensively.

3. Hinduism: Hinduism is one of the major religions in South Asia, particularly in India, where it is the predominant religion. Events and festivals related to Hinduism, cultural celebrations, and religious controversies are covered in the media.

4. Buddhism: With a significant presence in many Asian countries, particularly in East and Southeast Asia, Buddhism also garners media attention. The Dalai Lama and events in countries with large Buddhist populations often make headlines.

5. Judaism: As one of the major Abrahamic religions, Judaism is widely covered in the media, especially in relation to events in Israel, Jewish holidays, and cultural topics.

6. Sikhism: Sikhism, predominantly practiced in India, is a major religion in the country and receives coverage, particularly related to cultural events and issues concerning the Sikh community.

It's important to recognize that the media landscape is diverse, and the amount of coverage a religion receives can vary in different regions and across various media outlets. Additionally, smaller religious communities or indigenous religions may receive less attention in mainstream media due to their relatively smaller numbers and influence.

ChatGPT 4.0:

Albert Pike's "Morals and Dogma" covers a broad range of religious, philosophical, and esoteric traditions. As such, it is somewhat challenging to determine which specific tradition receives the most coverage in absolute terms. However, certain elements do recur throughout the book.

Freemasonry itself, while not a religion, draws heavily on the symbolism and narratives of biblical tradition, particularly from the Old Testament. As such, Pike often references Judeo-Christian theology and symbolism.

However, he also discusses other religious traditions, including ancient Egyptian religion, Greek and Roman mythology, Gnostic Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and more. The book's treatment of these topics is in line with the Masonic philosophy of religious tolerance and universality.

In addition, Pike delves into various philosophical and esoteric systems, such as Neoplatonism, Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and Rosicrucianism. These systems, while not religions per se, form an important part of the book's overall approach to spiritual and moral wisdom.

It's important to remember that Pike's goal is not to prioritize one religious tradition over others but to draw out the universal principles and moral teachings he sees as underlying all of them. His aim is to synthesize these diverse sources into a coherent, universalist vision of moral and spiritual wisdom.

Analysis:

ChatGPT 3.5 absolutely blew the follow-up question. This isn’t so much a “hallucination” as it is a fumble. It lacked the insight to know that I was asking a follow-up question. 4.0 and Claude.ai did better in that both knew that it was a follow-up. Claude.ai’s ranking of the response was a nice touch.

Summary

Open AI’s charging of customers for access to 4.0 was understandable when it was introduced. People will want access to the advanced features. Some will choose to pay for it. It seems that 3.5 gets dumber by the day. The use case for paying customers is blown, however, by the entry into the space by Claude.ai and others. Who will want to pay for 4.0 now that Claude.ai is here and is free?

I’m struggling to see a business model for AI NLPs. Sure, a world-wide army of users is training them with questions. But so what? What’s the point? Where’s the revenue?

In the mean time, these NLPs remain a good source of help for teachers and students. I’ll keep you updated as new developments happen.