r/logic • u/TrainerOk717 • 6h ago
Philosophical logic Why does AI excel at formal math but struggle with philosophical reasoning?
I've been thinking a lot about the current state of AI in academia. We've seen incredible breakthroughs in biology (like AlphaFold mapping proteins) and formal mathematics (like AlphaProof and Lean solving Olympiad-level problems).
But I keep wondering: why hasn't this translated into philosophy? When I use AI for my own work, it's great at checking routine math, formatting, or finding logical inconsistencies. But it seems to struggle with actually holding a philosophical position or defending it against counterarguments.
Is it just a matter of training data, or is there something fundamentally different about philosophical reasoning that current LLMs can't capture? I'd love to hear what people working in formal epistemology or logic think about this. Do you see AI as a useful tool for philosophy right now, or is it still too early?