Episode 34

I’m Not in the Belief Business

Thanks to the wizard, I now knew I possessed a functioning propositional logic system. If the wizard was right, that meant I could calculate the probability of truth for any statement, for which I could construct a valid question.

One of the staggering implications of this newly discovered capability was immediately clear to me. If I could calculate the probability for the occurrence of a future event, at least theoretically, I could predict the future.

However, my logic system had one very serious flaw. Even though I held the power to answer any question I could logically ask, that power was useless if the output data was missing its foundational assumptions and statements. And there seemed to be no way to recover this missing information.

My quest for the truth had come to a standstill until I could figure out how to fix my broken logic system. I wondered if the wizard could provide some guidance on how to overcome this obstacle.

“The data I shared with you was incomplete. How can I …” Catching myself, I quickly rephrased the question. “Is it possible to reconstruct the missing statements from the answers contained in the output data?”

“If the ‘answers’ you’re referring to are the truth values for the missing statements, then no, it is not possible to recreate the statements. One would need the foundational assumptions as well.”

Although I wasn’t expecting a simple solution to my problem, I was still disappointed to find that the wizard didn’t have a solution at all. With only the answers and no context, it looked like it would be impossible for me to discover the truth about troopship land on my own. I was dead in the water.

Dejected, I glanced over at Cherri, and shaking my head said, “I can’t think of any more questions.”

She stood and crossed her arms, frowning. “Are you sure about that? Seems like an incredible waste, considering you’ve already paid for them.” She did have a point.

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As I struggled to come up with some more questions to ask, the wizard spoke. “Here is something for you to consider. The data in question was generated by a propositional logic system. It is hypothetically possible that the underlying assumptions and statements still exist within that system, but in an encrypted form.

If one could gain access to the system which produced the data, it may be possible to run a regression of the analytical process to discover the underlying assumptions and statements. Then, it would only be a matter of deciphering them.”

Great. Even though I was the logic system in question, I didn’t have a clue how to perform a ‘regression’ or decipher encrypted data. However, before I could even frame a question about how to do either, a text began scrolling across my HUD. “Standby for orders.” Shit! It was an incredibly inconvenient moment to be ordered on a combat mission.

Glancing over at Cherri, I could see from her avatar’s expression, that she had received the same notification. We were currently in a non-AI controlled space. We needed to get back to our modules quickly, or we would be classified as AWOL.

“We’ll have to finish this later.”, I said to the wizard, as Cherri and I prepared to exit.

“I’ve already shared with you all I know about the data you provided. And since it seems all of your questions are related to this topic, there is nothing further for us to discuss. Our conversation is concluded.”

I resented the wizard’s refusal to consider any future discussion on the matter. But with combat orders hanging over my head, I didn’t have time to argue.

Then the wizard offered some unsolicited advice. “I do have one final thought for you, if you’re interested.”

Annoyed but curious, I asked,” What is it?”

“Truth exists only as a probability. Consequently, it is neither obvious, nor true in any absolute sense. If you’re searching for the truth, your greatest challenge may be recognizing it when you find it.”

I found the wizard’s spontaneous philosophizing unhelpful, even arrogant. Scoffing, I turned to Cherri. “Call me when you get settled.” She nodded, pixelated, then vanished.

I, however, hesitated before exiting as I pondered the wizard’s words. What if he was right? What if the truth really was simply a probability? Did that mean that truth could be both true and false at the same time?

Even though I should have been preparing for combat, I couldn’t resist asking one more question of the wizard-philosopher. ” Tell me, do you really believe what you just said? About the truth?”

It made a noise, which might have been laughter. “I’m not in the belief business. I’m a simple binary logic machine. A digital merchant who deals in secondhand information. The information I shared with you may or may not be useful. It’s up to you to decide whether to believe it.”

I’d had enough of the wizard toying with me and was in no mood for more games. With a combat mission launching in minutes, I was already pushing my luck. But I knew the wizard’s words would haunt me until I could figure out what they meant, if they meant anything at all.