Having knowledge is one thing; successfully conveying that knowledge to others is another. Large language models are good at both. When used properly, they can help us access complicated, obscure concepts, particularly those in mathematics, physics, and philosophy. Equipped with the ability to search the internet, anyone can turn Microsoft's Copilot into a good teacher. The magic ingredient is as simple as adding "Explain like I'm 5" to the instruction.

For example, I came across the philosophical concept "dasein" while watching an interview with a philosopher (《十三邀》第十期：许知远对话陈嘉映完整版之哲学家的 体验, starting from 1:12:12). The philosopher, Chen Jiaying, talked about the difficulties in translating Heidegger's books, and took the different Chinese translations of "dasein" as an example. While he didn't explain much to the interviewer, Copilot explained the term in the context of philosophy to me well and unexpectedly delightful. Here is what I got:

Instruction

Explain like I am 5: what is Heidegger's "dasein"?

Copilot's Response

Sure! Imagine you're playing with your favorite toy. 🧸 You're not just thinking about it in your head; you're really there, touching it, feeling its shape, and exploring every nook and cranny. That's a bit like what Martin Heidegger meant when he talked about "Dasein."

"Dasein" is a fancy word in German that means "being there." But it's not just about existing like a rock or a tree. No, no! It's about how we humans exist in the world. 🌍

You see, Heidegger believed that we're not just isolated minds floating around. Instead, we're like little explorers, always uncovering things around us. When you play with your toy, you're not just thinking about it; you're interacting with it and discovering what it's all about. 🕵️‍♂️

So, "Dasein" is like being a detective in your own adventure story. You're not just a thinker; you're a doer, a discoverer, and a part of the world. And that, my little friend, is what makes us truly human! 🌟¹³

Source: Conversation with Bing, 2/22/2024

  1. Dasein | Definition, Martin Heidegger, Being There, Being-In-The-World …. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dasein.
  2. Dasein - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasein.
  3. Dasein — Wikipédia. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasein.