During the years 1812 through half of 1826, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams exchanged around 200 letters. Their reason for the correspondence was not only to rekindle their broken friendship, but to write for posterity their thoughts about the new Republic they helped to create. I have a podcast series on these letters which you can access by clicking HERE. It’s https://www.jeffersonadamsletters.com. (These letters are the real deal.)
Each had been a participant in the revolution, each served as President of the United States (Adams one term and Jefferson two terms) and, as Adams put it:
“You and I ought not to die before we have explained ourselves to each other.”
Topics they discussed included:
- Education
- Religion and theology
- Republican government
- The American Revolution
- History and historical figures
- Philosophy and human nature
- Aging and mortality
One of the topics they did NOT discuss was Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Just for fun, let’s suppose that they DID speculate about something like AI in the future. If they did (and there is no evidence that they did so), here are some fictional (make-believe) letters they might have exchanged.
Monticello, January 20, 1825
To John Adams, Quincy, Massachusetts
My Dear Sir,
I have lately amused myself with speculations upon the destiny of reason in an age when the very act of reasoning might be delegated to engines. Imagine, if you will, a contrivance of brass and lightning, able to compose letters, resolve problems, and dispute with philosophers. What becomes of learning when invention thinks for us?
In my daydream, I beheld youth consulting these mechanical oracles, not to discover truth, but to be spared the labor of seeking it. They received knowledge as one receives the air or the season—without exertion, without reflection. Yet, I confess, the same instrument might extend instruction to every cottage. Were such a power well guided, it could spread enlightenment faster than any press we ever dreamed.
Our republic, founded upon the exercise of reason, would have to school its children in the government of these new servants, lest they become masters. The faculties of judgment and comparison must be strengthened, not surrendered. Otherwise, my friend, we should breed citizens eloquent in words not their own—rich in information, yet poor in discernment.
Your affectionate and constant friend,
Th: Jefferson
John Adams responds . . . .
Quincy, February 12, 1825
To Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, Virginia
My Ever-Respected Friend,
Your fancy of these “thinking engines” is a delightful terror. I can almost see the apprentices of some future age bowing before them as pagans before their idols, craving truth without the pain of doubt.
You are right: if such machines arise, our posterity must learn to command them as sailors command the sea—with respect, not reverence. Liberty will not survive if the people exchange the labor of thought for the comfort of automatic answers. I have long believed that indolence, not tyranny, will be the final destroyer of republics.
Yet I would not despair. The same Providence that endowed us with reason would not begrudge us its instruments. Let the young use these devices, but let their tutors require that every borrowed idea be examined as a lawyer examines testimony. Make them show their workings; make them answer for their conclusions. In that way, the machine may become an assistant to conscience, not its usurper.
Ever yours,
- Adams
Thomas Jefferson responds . . . .
Monticello, March 8, 1825
To John Adams, Quincy, Massachusetts
Dear Sir,
You have struck the nail upon its stubborn head. Idleness is the enemy, not invention. I would counsel future legislators to cultivate in youth a double art: to employ such intelligence and to distrust it. To question every conclusion offered by artifice as we once questioned the decrees of kings.
If these machines are to reason, let them reason with us, not for us. Let each generation prove itself wiser than its tools—or the tools will soon become its governors.
Adieu, and may posterity inherit from us not fear of progress, but discipline in its use.
Your ever-faithful and affectionate friend,
Th: Jefferson
John Adams sends a postscript . . . .
Postscript by Adams, April 1, 1825
If ever such engines arise, I hope they will at least learn humility—for mankind seldom does.
* * * * *
Of course, they never wrote these letters . . . these are just made up and hopefully, fun.
You can listen to short podcast episodes of the REAL letter by clicking HERE.