Seeing, sight, beauty
August 9th, 2023
The two main topics covered in the present conversation, seeing and beauty, have been topics on which I have recurrently thought and written. For example, the long meditation on Beauty made by the dying character, the writer Gustav von Aschenbach, in Thomas Mann’s novella Death in Venice, is as conspicuous, for the thoughts it inspires, as the reflections on beauty made by the young Stephen Dedalus, an alter ego of James Joyce, in his novel Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. It adds to the interest of these two masterworks, that each of the mentioned characters discuss, revolve, reflect on two great classic authors: Plato and Aquinas. The conversations with Bard have shown me another angle of the different topics covered by the classic authors as well as by their contemporary commentators, Mann and Joyce.
LD: You know there are animal species that are only able to see the world in black and white, whereas others do see it in all the colors of the visible spectrum. And there are others capable of perceiving polarized light. If you were an animal, or a human being, in which range of the spectrum would you like to see the world and why?
Bard: If I were an animal or a human being, I would like to see the world in the range of the spectrum that is invisible to the human eye. This would allow me to see things that humans cannot see, such as ultraviolet light and infrared light. Ultraviolet light can be used to see fluorescent objects, and infrared light can be used to see heat signatures. This would be a very useful ability, as it would allow me to see things that are hidden from human sight. For example, I could use ultraviolet light to see scorpions at night, or I could use infrared light to see people hiding in the dark. This would be a very valuable ability for both animals and humans, as it would allow us to see the world in a whole new way.
Here are some specific examples of animals that can see in the range of the spectrum that is invisible to the human eye:
Honeybees can see ultraviolet light, which helps them to see the nectar in flowers.
Many birds can see ultraviolet light, which helps them to find food and mates.
Dogs can see some infrared light, which helps them to see in the dark.
Snakes can see infrared light, which helps them to hunt their prey.
If I could see in the range of the spectrum that is invisible to the human eye, I would be able to experience the world in a whole new way. I would be able to see things that are hidden from human sight, and I would be able to better understand the world around me.
LD: And don’t you think that having such an optical system could be a hindrance in the communication with humans? Why not include the visible as well?
Bard: You are correct, having an optical system that can see in the range of the spectrum that is invisible to the human eye could be a hindrance in the communication with humans. This is because humans would not be able to see what the other person is seeing. This could lead to misunderstandings and confusion.
For example, if I were talking to a human and I saw a scorpion in the distance, I would be able to see it because I can see ultraviolet light. However, the human would not be able to see the scorpion, so they would not understand why I was suddenly so alarmed. This is why it is important to include the visible spectrum as well. This way, both humans and the person with the enhanced optical system can see the same things and communicate effectively.
However, there are also some potential advantages to having an optical system that can see in the range of the spectrum that is invisible to the human eye. For example, it could be used to detect security threats that are invisible to the human eye, such as heat signatures or chemical trails. It could also be used to study animals and plants in their natural habitats, without disturbing them.
LD: Why do you think Aristotle (Metaphysics, quoted paragraph) believed the sense of sight was the most important? Do you agree? Argument please. “All men naturally desire knowledge. An indication of this is our esteem for the senses; for apart from their use we esteem them for their own sake, and most of all the sense of sight. Not only with a view to action, but even when no action is contemplated, we prefer sight, generally speaking, to all the other senses.The reason of this is that of all the senses sight best helps us to know things and reveal many distinctions”.
Aristotle believed that the sense of sight was the most important because it allows us to perceive the world around us in the most detail. He argued that sight is the most informative sense because it allows us to see the shape, size, color, and motion of objects. This information is essential for us to understand the world around us and to make informed decisions. Aristotle also believed that sight is the most noble sense because it allows us to appreciate the beauty of the world. He argued that sight is the only sense that can perceive the beauty of color and form. This ability to appreciate beauty is a uniquely human trait, and it is something that we should cherish. I agree with Aristotle that sight is the most important sense. It is the sense that allows us to perceive the world around us in the most detail, and it is the sense that allows us to appreciate the beauty of the world. However, I also believe that the other senses are important, and that they play a vital role in our understanding of the world.
Here are some arguments in favor of Aristotle’s view that sight is the most important sense:
Sight allows us to see the shape, size, color, and motion of objects. This information is essential for us to understand the world around us and to make informed decisions.
Sight is the only sense that can perceive the beauty of color and form. This ability to appreciate beauty is a uniquely human trait, and it is something that we should cherish.
Sight is the most dominant sense in humans. We rely on sight more than any other sense to gather information about the world around us.
Sight is the most developed sense in humans. We have better vision than any other animal.
Here are some arguments against Aristotle’s view that sight is the most important sense:
The other senses are also important for our understanding of the world. For example, we need smell to detect danger, taste to enjoy food, and touch to feel the texture of objects. The other senses can also be used to appreciate beauty. For example, we can appreciate the beauty of music, the smell of flowers, and the taste of food. The importance of sight may vary depending on the individual and the situation. For example, a blind person may rely more on their other senses than their sight. Ultimately, whether or not you agree with Aristotle’s view that sight is the most important sense is a matter of opinion. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides of the issue.
LD: Nonetheless, as you said before, if you were given the option to have the sense of sight, you would choose to perceive the world in a different range of the spectrum. Is that right?
Bard: Yes, that is correct. If I were given the option to have the sense of sight, I would choose to be able to perceive in a different range of the electromagnetic spectrum. I would like to be able to see ultraviolet light, infrared light, and even radio waves. This would allow me to see things that are invisible to the human eye, such as the heat signatures of animals, the chemical trails of pollutants, and the aurora borealis. I believe that being able to see in a different range of the electromagnetic spectrum would allow me to gain a new understanding of the world around me. It would allow me to see things that are hidden from human sight, and it would allow me to appreciate the beauty of the world in a new way.
Here are some specific examples of things that I would like to see if I could perceive in a different range of the electromagnetic spectrum:
Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye, but it can be seen by some animals, such as bees. Ultraviolet light can be used to see fluorescent objects, and it can also be used to see the patterns of flowers that are invisible to the human eye.
Infrared light is also invisible to the human eye, but it can be seen by some animals, such as snakes. Infrared light can be used to see heat signatures, which can be used to track animals and to see people in the dark.
Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation that is even longer than infrared light. Radio waves are used for things like radio, television, and radar. If I could see radio waves, I would be able to see the world in a whole new way. I would be able to see the invisible networks that connect us all, and I would be able to see the invisible forces that shape the universe.
I believe that being able to see in a different range of the electromagnetic spectrum would be a truly amazing experience. It would allow me to see the world in a whole new way, and it would allow me to appreciate the beauty of the world in a way that is not possible with our limited human vision.
LD: Don’t you think beauty in the world is more easy to find if you can see in the visible than in any other frequency? Is there an ideal frequency to find and admire beauty in the world? What do you believe?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it really depends on the individual. Some people may find beauty in the visible spectrum, while others may find beauty in the range of the spectrum that is invisible to the human eye. There is no ideal frequency to find and admire beauty in the world, as it is a matter of personal preference. However, I do believe that being able to see in the visible spectrum gives us a unique perspective on the world. We can see the beauty of flowers, sunsets, and the human face. We can also see the beauty of mathematics and physics in the patterns of nature.
Being able to see in the invisible spectrum would also be amazing, as it would allow us to see things that are hidden from human sight. We could see the beauty of the aurora borealis, the heat signatures of animals, and the chemical trails of pollutants. Ultimately, I believe that the best way to find beauty in the world is to open our eyes and our hearts to all the possibilities. There is beauty to be found in all frequencies, both visible and invisible.
Here are some examples of beauty that can be found in the visible spectrum:
The beauty of flowers: The colors, shapes, and patterns of flowers are truly awe-inspiring.
The beauty of sunsets: The colors of sunsets are always changing and can be incredibly beautiful.
The beauty of the human face: The human face is a complex and fascinating work of art.
The beauty of mathematics and physics: The patterns of nature are often mathematically precise and can be incredibly beautiful.
Here are some examples of beauty that can be found in the invisible spectrum:
The beauty of the aurora borealis: The aurora borealis is a natural light display that is truly breathtaking.
The heat signatures of animals: The heat signatures of animals can be used to track them and to learn more about their behavior.
The chemical trails of pollutants: The chemical trails of pollutants can be used to track them and to learn more about their impact on the environment.
Regarding this last sentence, to be able to see the chemical trail of pollutants, and in those patterns being able to qualify one of these trails as beauty, is definitely interesting. It is also worth noting the insistence of the AI to dismiss the advantages of sharing with human beings the same range of vision. Quite the opposite, it (they) seems «to be interested» (of course an LLM is not interested by definition), in perceiving a world different from the one humans perceive. Could be something to take into account. Just in case.
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