Gadamer og Large Language Models i hermeneutisk Samtale

When inspecting Gadamer’s philosophy of hermeneutics in a modern light, it becomes evident that some issues arise. Most importantly for this paper is the issue posed by modern Large Language Models (LLM). Prima facie, LLMs seems to both be able to replicate a use of language, and to enable us to a deeper understanding of the particular topic[s] the LLM is trained in. However, Gadamer’s theory cannot, without further reexamination, accommodate these facts to be true. As such, there seems to be a deeper understanding to be gained from an analysis of Gadamer’s philosophy of hermeneutics juxtaposed in the modern light of LLM, and LLM in the light of Gadamer’s theory. This paper seeks to answer the research question How should a modern reading of Gadamer’s philosophy of hermeneutics regard texts of LLMs, and vice versa. Thus having two subjects: Gadamer’s theory and LLM, and having a Zwischenbereich of understanding, we have the triadic Gadamerian framework of a conversation for the entire article. This paper’s discussion is not only about Gadamers concept of conversation; it is structured as such. To answer the research question, this paper provides a comprehensive account of Gadamer’s hermeneutics, including his concepts of language, tradition, dialogue, the intermediary, fusion of horizons and prejudice. This paper further provides a comparative analysis to Davidson’s philosophy of language, to enhance our understanding of the specific traits and consequences of Gadamer’s theory, including its relation to the debate of interpretivism versus productivism, and the debate regarding holism versus particularism. This paper’s results are, that LLM forces Gadamer’s theory to either (1) reject that LLM would be able to deliver texts, through which you can gain understanding in dialogue. This would have implications for, and the need to further distinguish, what is meant by prejudice, since the framework provided from Gadamers theory seems to apply reasonably well to LLMs. Alternatively, (2) Gadamer’s theory must accept understanding through LLM-texts, which would require a revision of the ontological framework behind his concept of language. Additionally, shedding lights on LLMs with Gadamer’s theory have showed, though not conclusively, some interesting ways of regarding LLM as a Davidsonian, holistic way of structuring language, as well as how produced LLM-texts fit into the framework of interpretivism and productivism.