What replaces anthropomorphism for understanding LLMs? The intentional stance still wins
brwilder · x · 2026-09-05
The author asks what mental models can replace anthropomorphism for LLMs. Alternatives like 'next token predictor' or 'cultural technology' have grown less useful as models drift from pretraining/SFT. Viewing LLMs as engineered systems is necessary for understanding but isn't an alternative to anthropomorphism, just as biology isn't an alternative to psychology. Day to day, you'll predict LLM behavior far better by attributing local beliefs, desires, and intentions—the intentional stance. The author is genuinely seeking better alternatives.
Related event: Debate Reignites Over the Right Mental Model for LLMs(3 posts)→
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