Transcript of a chat between Alec Fearon and Perplexity AI on 9 August 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alec said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <reference>Colleagues in Anapoly Ltd seek to bridge the gap between mystery or curiosity about AI, and its practical use. We want to help professionals like us apply AI tools to real tasks in a hands-on, transparent way. Perplexity said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both are essential for shaping a thoughtful and socially responsible human\u2013AI relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alec said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <concept>Anapoly Notebook will have an area acting as a home for the collaborative project referred to earlier in this chat. <task>Suggest five appropriate names \/ titles for that area<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perplexity said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Certainly! Here are five thoughtful name suggestions for the designated area within Anapoly Notebook that will serve as the home for the collaborative project between Anapoly and Marjon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these titles aims to reflect the project’s spirit of partnership, hands-on experimentation, and the exploration of values and ethos in human\u2013AI interaction. Let me know if you\u2019d like suggestions in a particular style or with a different emphasis!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alec said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <task>Distinguish “ethics” from “values” and “ethos”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perplexity said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the context of the Anapoly\u2013Marjon collaboration, having an explicit ethics framework could guide the responsible use of AI, shared values would clarify what truly matters, and a strong ethos would shape a positive, principled learning environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alec said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Is it correct to say that values are embodied in an ethical framework which is put into practice through an ethos?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perplexity said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes \u2014 that\u2019s a fair and useful way to put it, though we might nuance it slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your statement \u2014 \u201cvalues are embodied in an ethical framework which is put into practice through an ethos\u201d<\/em> \u2014 captures the general relationship quite well, but here\u2019s a clearer breakdown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So in sequence: One refinement: If you like, I can create a diagram<\/strong> showing this flow so it\u2019s easy to visualise the relationship. Would you like me to do that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alec said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <you said>While an ethical framework often embodies values, it can also be influenced by laws, professional standards, or other external factors. Likewise, an ethos can reinforce values even without a formal ethical framework \u2014 in some communities, the culture comes first, and formal ethics follow. <principle>Where culture comes before formal ethics, the culture has an implicit, informal ethical framework <task>Critique that principle<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perplexity said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your principle \u2014 \u201cWhere culture comes before formal ethics, the culture has an implicit, informal ethical framework\u201d<\/em> \u2014 is reasonable and often true, but it could benefit from some nuance. Here\u2019s a critique:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might reframe it as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhere culture precedes formal ethics, it usually operates with implicit moral norms, which may function like an informal ethical framework \u2014 though not always coherently, inclusively, or consciously.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This keeps your core insight but acknowledges that informality can mean inconsistency, unexamined biases, and gaps in moral reasoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like, I can map out a diagram<\/strong> showing how informal cultural norms<\/em>, values<\/em>, ethics<\/em>, and ethos<\/em> relate and evolve over time \u2014 which might help Anapoly and Marjon visualise these interdependencies. Would you like me to do that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alec said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <task>Tie these ideas together into a explanation which distinguishes values, ethics and ethos whilst recognising culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perplexity said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alright \u2014 let\u2019s weave these strands into a single, coherent explanation that distinguishes values<\/strong>, ethics<\/strong>, and ethos<\/strong>, while recognising the central role of culture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the foundation are values<\/strong> \u2014 the beliefs and principles about what is important, desirable, or right. They answer the question: What matters most to us?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Culture<\/strong> is the lived environment shaped by shared history, relationships, language, and traditions. It is how people actually live and work together over time<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ethics<\/strong> is where values become explicit, systematic guidance for behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ethos<\/strong> refers to the characteristic spirit or \u201cfeel\u201d of a group \u2014 the lived expression of values within a culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example (Anapoly\u2013Marjon context):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d like, I can express this as a visual model<\/strong> where values feed into ethics, which interacts with culture to shape ethos \u2014 and culture also loops back to influence values. This might make the relationship clearer and more memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you want me to create that diagram?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alec said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, let;s see what it looks like<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perplexity said<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alright \u2014 here\u2019s a visual model<\/strong> that brings together values, ethics, culture, and ethos, showing how they relate and influence one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1
<reference>Marjon University is interested in the possibility of a collaboration with Anapoly. The collaboration promises to extend the capability of both organisations for the social good.
<reference>Students are among those most at risk from the misuse of AI.
<reference>There is a risk that students might outsource their thinking to AI and lose or not acquire the ability for critical thinking.
<reference>Anapoly Notebook https:\/\/anapoly.co.uk\/labs\/
<reference> Anapoly Notebook is a website where we document our experiments in the day-to-day use of general-purpose AI. We reflect on what works (and what doesn\u2019t), and share our thinking as it develops
<principle>There is a need to imbue students with values of benefit to society.
<principle>Students need to have an ethos of caring about how the human-AI relationship evolves.
<process>An LLM can be configured to support students to become wiser.
<concept>Anapoly Notebook will have an area in which philosophical ideas can be explored.
<process> Assume Anapoly and Marjon will run a collaborative project. This would be both a substantial piece of work in its own right and a vehicle for applied learning with AI. Purpose: to propose how values and ethos can shape human\u2013AI interaction, using the creation of a substantive long-form essay as both a credible academic contribution and a live, documented case study in the effective, ethical, and collaborative use of AI tools.
<task>Clarify the distinction between “values” and “ethos”.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClarifying the Distinction: “Values” vs. “Ethos”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ethos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nIn Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Application to Human\u2013AI Collaboration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ethics vs. Values vs. Ethos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ethics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ethos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nIn Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Term<\/th> What is it?<\/th> How is it expressed?<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Ethics<\/td> Codified frameworks that define right and wrong in a context<\/td> Codes, rules, guidelines, systematic reasoning<\/td><\/tr> Values<\/td> Core beliefs or principles held by individuals or groups<\/td> Choices, priorities, what people care about<\/td><\/tr> Ethos<\/td> Characteristic spirit or culture of a group or organisation<\/td> Customs, atmosphere, “the way things are done”<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n \n
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Values<\/strong> \u2192 inform \u2192 Ethical Framework<\/strong> \u2192 expressed and reinforced through \u2192 Ethos<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While an ethical framework often embodies<\/em> values, it can also be influenced by laws, professional standards, or other external factors. Likewise, an ethos can reinforce values even without a formal ethical framework \u2014 in some communities, the culture comes first, and formal ethics follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nStrengths of the Principle<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nRefined version of the principle<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nHow Values, Ethics, Ethos, and Culture Connect<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nPutting it Together<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u250c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2510\n \u2502 VALUES \u2502\n \u2502 \"What \u2502\n \u2502 matters \u2502\n \u2502 most?\" \u2502\n \u2514\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u252c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2518\n \u2502 informs\n \u25bc\n \u250c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2510\n \u2502 ETHICS \u2502\n \u2502 \"How should \u2502\n \u2502 we act?\" \u2502\n \u2502 (rules, \u2502\n \u2502 principles) \u2502\n \u2514\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u252c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2518\n \u2502 applied within\n \u25bc\n \u250c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2510\n \u2502 CULTURE \u2502\n \u2502 Shared \u2502\n \u2502 norms, \u2502\n \u2502 traditions, \u2502\n \u2502 behaviours \u2502\n \u2514\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u252c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2518\n \u2502 lived as\n \u25bc\n \u250c\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2510\n \u2502 ETHOS \u2502\n \u2502 Spirit \/ \u2502\n \u2502 atmosphere \u2502\n \u2502 of the group\u2502\n \u2514\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2518\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFlow & Feedback Loops<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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