Defining Knowledge: Bridging Epistemology and Large Language Models

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Main Authors: Fierro, Constanza, Dhar, Ruchira, Stamatiou, Filippos, Garneau, Nicolas, Søgaard, Anders
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Fierro, Constanza
Dhar, Ruchira
Stamatiou, Filippos
Garneau, Nicolas
Søgaard, Anders
author_facet Fierro, Constanza
Dhar, Ruchira
Stamatiou, Filippos
Garneau, Nicolas
Søgaard, Anders
contents Knowledge claims are abundant in the literature on large language models (LLMs); but can we say that GPT-4 truly "knows" the Earth is round? To address this question, we review standard definitions of knowledge in epistemology and we formalize interpretations applicable to LLMs. In doing so, we identify inconsistencies and gaps in how current NLP research conceptualizes knowledge with respect to epistemological frameworks. Additionally, we conduct a survey of 100 professional philosophers and computer scientists to compare their preferences in knowledge definitions and their views on whether LLMs can really be said to know. Finally, we suggest evaluation protocols for testing knowledge in accordance to the most relevant definitions.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_02499
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Defining Knowledge: Bridging Epistemology and Large Language Models
Fierro, Constanza
Dhar, Ruchira
Stamatiou, Filippos
Garneau, Nicolas
Søgaard, Anders
Computation and Language
Knowledge claims are abundant in the literature on large language models (LLMs); but can we say that GPT-4 truly "knows" the Earth is round? To address this question, we review standard definitions of knowledge in epistemology and we formalize interpretations applicable to LLMs. In doing so, we identify inconsistencies and gaps in how current NLP research conceptualizes knowledge with respect to epistemological frameworks. Additionally, we conduct a survey of 100 professional philosophers and computer scientists to compare their preferences in knowledge definitions and their views on whether LLMs can really be said to know. Finally, we suggest evaluation protocols for testing knowledge in accordance to the most relevant definitions.
title Defining Knowledge: Bridging Epistemology and Large Language Models
topic Computation and Language
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.02499