[GoLUG] LLMs can't reason

[Kyle Terrien]

On Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 07:35:07AM -0500, o1bigtenor wrote:
> On Tue, Jun 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM Steve Litt <slitt at 444domains.com> wrote:
> >
> > I could easily make the argument that human beings can't reason. Humans
> > use different mental tools than LLMs, but I would say that for
> > questions asked in text form, LLMs' reasoning is well above the
> > reasoning of the median human.
> >
> > Let's compare the LLM to the guy next door on his afternoon's third can
> > of King Cobra, rathern than comparing it to Isaac Newton or Albert
> > Einstein.
> >
> Finally  - - - - IMO LLMs are quite comparable to a slightly better than
> average individual - - - AT BEST!! What we really need is more of the Isaac
> Newtons or Albert Einsteins rather we keep hoping that relying on this
> mythical mean beast (LLMs) to help us. We need to find the exceptional
> - - - something the LLM ignores because it works on consensus or the mean.
> 
> If it is true that human beings can't reason - - I'd tend to agree - -
> - well then
> don't expect them to. Maybe we need to teach them to instead of the pap
> that pervades the educational system today. What say you?
> 
> Regards

I think there are multiple definitions of “reason” in this thread.

I fully agree that critical thinking needs to be taught today.  Too
many people nowadays utilize buzzwords and loaded adjectives to
confuse and deceive, and it’s working.

One of my bigger fears nowadays is that in the not-so-distant future,
everyone will automatically assume that whatever comes out of these AI
agents is true.  Once people defer decisions to AI agents (which do
not have free agency, as previously pointed out), it will become
exceedingly difficult to correct errors.

Imagine if one of these agents persistently labeled you a “creep”
because of an (anti)social media thread about you several years ago.
It will be hard to find a job after that if most employers ask an AI
agent to write a couple paragraphs about you.

--Kyle

-- 
[*] Kyle Terrien
    Terrenus => from the Earth, to the Cloud
    https://terren.us/

Dilexisti justitiam, et odisti iniquitatem.  -- Psalmus 44:8