I hate Artificial Intelligence. I think it’s a potential threat to human existence, but keeping in mind that God is in control and in His omnipotence and omniscience, He is aware of AI and probably has a plan regarding it. Nevertheless, I sometimes ask ChatGPT a question once in a while for fun, and my wife makes use of AI art programs.
Today, I found out that there is a Catholic AI. Called “Magisterium AI” it can be found at: Magisterium AI.
I asked it the following question, “Write an essay on sobriety from a Catholic perspective.” (I tried asking it “Write a blog post on sobriety from a Catholic perspective,” but ‘blog post’ has it stumped.)
This is its answer:
“Sobriety, from a Catholic perspective, is a virtue that is highly regarded and encouraged in personal and social life. It is seen as a way to counteract the imbalances that arise from the breakdown of certain virtues, including environmental ones [^1]. Sobriety is not seen as a lesser or diminished way of living, but rather as a liberating and fulfilling way of life. It is about appreciating and enjoying each person and each thing, finding satisfaction in the simplest things and cultivating other pleasures such as music, art, and contact with nature [^2].
Sobriety also involves knowing how to limit certain needs that only diminish us and being open to the many different possibilities that life can offer [^2]. It is about shedding unsatisfied needs, reducing obsessiveness and weariness, and finding happiness in the richness of life’s experiences. Sobriety is not about depriving oneself, but rather about finding contentment and fulfillment in what one has, rather than constantly seeking what one does not have.
From a Catholic perspective, sobriety is closely linked to humility. When we lose our humility and become enthralled with the idea of limitless mastery over everything, we end up harming society and the environment [^1]. Sobriety and humility go hand in hand, as they both require recognizing our limitations and acknowledging our dependence on God. It is when we exclude God from our lives or replace Him with our own ego that we lose sight of the true meaning of sobriety and become consumed by our own desires and ambitions [^1].
In the Catholic tradition, sobriety is not seen as a restriction or a burden, but rather as a pathway to true freedom and fulfillment. It is about living life to the full, appreciating the beauty and goodness of creation, and finding joy in the simple pleasures of life [^2]. Sobriety is not about denying ourselves pleasure, but rather about finding a healthy balance and being mindful of our actions and choices.
In conclusion, sobriety from a Catholic perspective is a virtue that promotes a balanced and fulfilled way of life. It is about appreciating and enjoying the simple things, cultivating other pleasures, and finding contentment in what one has. Sobriety is closely linked to humility and the recognition of our dependence on God. It is a virtue that encourages us to live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the environment, and to find true freedom and fulfillment in doing so [^1] [^2].
[^1] Laudato Si 224
[^2] Laudato Si 223
[^3] The Participation of Catholics in Political Life 7
[^4] On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons 2”
I may ask it more questions of relevance to this blog, just for kicks and giggles.
There is a disclaimer offered at the bottom of the site: “Magisterium AI is currently experimental and is trained on a limited, but growing number of Magisterial documents. Some questions cannot be answered at this time.”
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