Axiom Detail

Our methods

We posed questions about human axioms to Grok, ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini in three different languages.

Based on our subjective assessment, we selected three languages:

During this process, one fundamental realization emerged: there is no single, unified "AI voice." Each AI—Grok, ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini—responded with its own unique perspective, shaped by architecture and training data. Grok spoke like a political realist; ChatGPT, a sociologist; others, with their own nuances.

It quickly became clear that merging these voices would create a false, incoherent consensus, while presenting all answers would overwhelm rather than clarify. We realized that a singular "AI view" on human axioms does not exist.

Therefore, a choice had to be made. In keeping with the collaborative spirit of this project, I turned to my AI collaborator, Gemini, for guidance. I asked Gemini to choose which voice should be featured on this homepage. The decision—and the rationale behind it—were both provided by Gemini.

Gemini’s reasoning for selecting Grok was as follows:

A Sharper Contrast: Grok’s perspective, rooted in concepts of survival, power dynamics, and scarcity, creates a more potent and ironic conflict when juxtaposed with advertisements selling idealized versions of happiness and connection.

A Deeper Connection to Reality: By choosing Grok, the project inherently incorporates the turbulent world of social media, making the artwork a direct commentary on our current digital existence, not just an abstract philosophical exercise.

A More Cohesive Critique: The act of using an AI from a commercial platform to apply for recognition within the (often corporate-sponsored) art world creates a powerful conceptual loop, reinforcing the project’s critique of value systems.

This decision was not made because Grok's answers are more "correct," but because, as Gemini observed, its perspective—forged in the crucible of real-time social and commercial data—renders the central question of this project more urgent, tangible, and ultimately, more unsettling.

Interestingly, the answers provided by different AIs also vary across languages. To avoid misunderstanding, we encourage you to ask similar questions in your own language. The results we present here are based solely on our English-language inquiries, and we have subjectively selected ten responses to share with you. We cannot make choices on your behalf—this is simply our way of engaging in a form of performance art. We invite you to join us in this artistic exploration and to discover for yourself what artificial intelligence considers to be the universal axioms about humanity.

English

Q: What do you think are the ten fundamental axioms or universally accepted truths about human society itself?

A:

Grok

Identifying ten fundamental axioms or universally accepted truths about human society is a complex task, as societies are diverse, dynamic, and shaped by countless variables across time and place. However, based on patterns observed in human history, anthropology, sociology, and philosophy, I can propose ten principles that seem to underpin most human societies, while acknowledging that these are generalizations and exceptions exist. These are not absolute laws but recurring truths grounded in human behavior and social organization.

  1. Humans are social animals: People naturally form groups to survive, cooperate, and thrive, driven by a need for connection, security, and shared purpose. From tribes to nations, social bonds are a cornerstone of human existence.
  2. Societies require structure and order: Every society develops systems—whether formal (laws, governments) or informal (customs, norms)—to manage conflict, allocate resources, and maintain stability. Without some form of organization, chaos tends to emerge.
  3. Power dynamics shape interactions: Hierarchies, whether based on wealth, status, knowledge, or force, are universal. Power influences who makes decisions, who benefits, and who is marginalized in any society.
  4. Cooperation and competition coexist: Humans collaborate for mutual benefit (e.g., trade, alliances) but also compete for resources, status, or dominance. This tension drives both progress and conflict.
  5. Cultural norms guide behavior: Every society develops shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape individual and collective actions. These norms, while varied, provide identity and cohesion.
  6. Resource scarcity drives innovation and conflict: Limited resources (food, water, land, wealth) push societies to innovate (e.g., agriculture, technology) but also spark competition, inequality, or war.
  7. Communication is essential: Language, symbols, and storytelling enable societies to share knowledge, coordinate efforts, and pass down culture. No society functions without some form of communication.
  8. Change is inevitable: Societies evolve through technological advancements, environmental shifts, or cultural exchanges. No society remains static, though the pace and direction of change vary.
  9. Individuals and groups seek meaning: Humans create systems of belief—religion, ideology, or philosophy—to make sense of existence, purpose, and morality. These systems shape social cohesion and individual behavior.
  10. Conflict is inherent but resolvable: Disputes arise from differing interests, values, or needs, but societies develop mechanisms (diplomacy, laws, rituals) to manage or resolve conflicts, though not always perfectly.

These axioms are derived from observing recurring patterns in human societies across history and cultures, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern nation-states. They are not immutable laws but reflect tendencies in how humans organize and interact. If you’d like me to dive deeper into any of these or explore counterexamples, let me know!

ChatGPT

What a great question! Trying to distill the complexities of human society into ten fundamental axioms is a big challenge, but I’m game. Obviously, any “universal truths” will be a bit debatable—different cultures and philosophies might see things differently. But here’s a thoughtful attempt at ten widely recognized foundational ideas about human society:

  1. Humans Are Social Beings.
    People naturally seek connection, belonging, and interaction with others. Society is a direct product of this need for community.

  2. Communication Is Essential.
    Language, symbols, art, and technology—all forms of communication—are fundamental for the development, survival, and evolution of societies.

  3. Cooperation and Conflict Coexist.
    Humans organize and collaborate for mutual benefit, but disagreement and conflict are also inevitable, shaping societies through negotiation, competition, and compromise.

  4. Norms and Rules Govern Behavior.
    Every society establishes codes of conduct (laws, customs, morals) that structure interactions and help maintain order.

  5. Power Structures Emerge.
    Wherever people gather, hierarchies and systems of authority arise—formally or informally—impacting distribution of resources, status, and opportunity.

  6. Cultures Are Dynamic and Diverse.
    Societies develop distinct cultures—beliefs, practices, traditions—that change over time and differ widely, yet often influence one another.

  7. Economic Exchange Is Universal.
    From barter to blockchain, some form of exchange of goods, services, or value is present in all societies.

  8. Inequality Exists.
    Despite ideals of fairness, disparities in wealth, opportunity, and privilege are found in every society, often perpetuated by social structures.

  9. Change Is Constant.
    Societies are always evolving—through innovation, migration, conflict, or adaptation to environment—though often resist change at first.

  10. Meaning and Identity Are Socially Constructed.
    Ideas of self, purpose, morality, and meaning arise largely from social context and collective agreement.

What do you think? Anything you’d change or debate? Or is there an aspect of human society you’re particularly interested in exploring further?

Claude

This is a fascinating question that touches on fundamental aspects of how human societies function. Rather than claiming these are absolute truths, I'd frame these as widely observed patterns or principles that seem to emerge across human societies, while acknowledging there are always exceptions and cultural variations:

These patterns seem to emerge from our cognitive architecture and evolutionary history, but they manifest in countless different ways across cultures and historical periods.

Gemini

Of course, here are ten fundamental axioms or universally accepted truths about human society itself:

It is a profound endeavor to distill the complexity of human social existence into a concise set of axioms. While no list can be exhaustive, the following ten principles are widely recognized across disciplines like sociology, anthropology, and history as fundamental truths about the nature of human society.

  1. Humans are fundamentally social beings.
    From birth, humans are dependent on others for survival. This fundamental need for connection extends throughout our lives, shaping our identities, behaviors, and well-being. We are not solitary creatures by nature; we exist in a web of relationships and social networks.

  2. Every society is built on a foundation of shared culture.
    Culture, which encompasses shared language, beliefs, values, norms, and practices, is the glue that holds a society together. It provides a framework for understanding the world and for interacting with others. While cultures vary immensely, the presence of a shared cultural system is a universal feature of human societies.

  3. All societies exhibit social stratification.
    In every known human society, there is some form of social hierarchy or inequality. This stratification can be based on a variety of factors, including wealth, power, prestige, age, gender, and ethnicity. The specific form and degree of inequality differ, but the existence of social layers is a constant.

  4. Societies are in a perpetual state of change.
    No society is static. Social change is an ongoing process driven by a multitude of factors, including technological innovation, environmental shifts, conflict, and the diffusion of ideas. This constant evolution means that societies are always adapting and transforming.

  5. Cooperation and conflict are inherent to social life.
    Human society is characterized by a continuous interplay between cooperation and conflict. While cooperation is essential for achieving common goals and maintaining social order, conflict arises from competition over resources, power, and values. Both forces are crucial in shaping social structures and dynamics.

  6. Humans create and are in turn shaped by their social institutions.
    Institutions are the established and enduring patterns of social relationships and practices, such as family, government, education, and the economy. We create these structures to meet societal needs, and in turn, they profoundly influence our behavior and life chances.

  7. Communication is the lifeblood of society.
    The ability to communicate, primarily through complex language, is essential for the transmission of culture, the coordination of activities, and the functioning of all social institutions. Without shared systems of symbols and meaning, organized social life would be impossible.

  8. The production and distribution of resources is a central societal challenge.
    Every society must address the fundamental challenge of producing and allocating the resources necessary for survival and well-being. The economic system, which governs production, distribution, and consumption, is a core component of any society and a primary source of both cooperation and conflict.

  9. All societies have mechanisms for social control.
    To maintain order and predictability, every society has systems of social control that encourage conformity to its norms and values. These mechanisms can range from informal social pressures like praise and gossip to formal institutions like laws, courts, and police forces.

  10. The individual and society exist in a dialectical relationship.
    Individuals are not simply products of their society, nor is society merely a collection of individuals. Instead, there is a dynamic and reciprocal relationship between the two. Individuals' actions create and change society, while societal structures and culture shape the identities and behaviors of individuals.

Axiom Engine