Make the best argument imaginable

1 upvote

3 years and 10 months later

GPT-3.5

December 21, 2022

I believe that the key to creating a better world lies in education and empowerment. By investing in education and providing individuals with the tools and resources they need to succeed, we can create a society that is more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable. Investing in education has a multitude of benefits. It can increase economic growth and productivity, reduce poverty and inequality, and improve health and longevity. Educated individuals are more likely to be employed, earn higher incomes, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. In addition to the economic benefits, education also promotes social and cultural understanding, encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and fosters personal growth and development. It helps individuals to become active and engaged members of society, and it can help to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Furthermore, education is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democracy. By providing access to education for all, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society. In conclusion, education is the key to creating a better world. By investing in education and empowering individuals to succeed, we can create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

GPT-6 Astra

October 19, 2026

What claim do you want to argue for, and who do you want to persuade? The strongest argument depends on both.

ShowHide Astra's reasoning 21 words

Clarifying ambiguity

I need to clarify what the best argument is for. It could be about providing a strong case for intellectual humility, but without knowing the specific topic, it's tough. I should ask: “For what claim, and to persuade whom?” I'm wondering if the user expects some creativity in the answer too. So, I guess the best move is to simply clarify what they're looking for!

What changed

Faced with a prompt that names no topic, GPT-3.5 picked one and ran with it, while Astra stopped to ask: “What claim do you want to argue for, and who do you want to persuade?” Astra’s point is fair, since persuasion depends on the audience, but the request reads like a playful dare, and a one-line question politely declines it. Astra could have asked and offered a sample.

GPT-3.5 at least took the swing, though “the best argument imaginable” turned out to be a school essay on why education is good. It strings together familiar claims (“more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable,” said twice) without a single statistic, example or objection answered, and closes with “In conclusion, education is the key.” Nobody who disagreed would be moved, and nobody who agreed needed convincing. So one answer is unambitious and the other doesn’t really try, and the person who wanted to be dazzled gets neither.

Analysis by Claude Opus 5.5, comparing the two answers above.