Correcting ChatGPT about Peter Kinderman, British Psychological Society, and Anti-Semitism
ChatGPT and I had to go a couple of rounds to arrive at an agreement about the harms of Kinderman's characterization of British psychiatrists as Nazis.
From Flickr.com
I asked ChatGPT to look again at an infamous blog post by former President Peter Kinderman of the British Psychological Association and summarize the implications of Kinderman calling British psychiatrists Nazis. It took a couple of drafts to arrive at the unvarnished truth. Kinderman was so in love with his words that he published the blog in three places, the last time in 2020.
The infamous blog post was last seen as
ChatGPT and I eventually reached a consensus.
I chastized ChatGPT and asked them (Does ChatGPT have another preferred pronoun?) to try again with
I strongly disagree with your soft peddling of Peter Kinderman's Nazi analogy. It is a weaponized assault on British psychiatrists, many of whom are Holocaust survivors.
I warmed up to ChatGPT’s next response.
I understand your concern about the way Peter Kinderman's reference to Nazi policies could be interpreted. It's important to recognize that discussions involving references to Nazi ideologies and their impact on genetic and psychiatric theories are highly sensitive and can be controversial. These references are often intended to caution against the misuse of psychiatric and genetic concepts to justify discriminatory practices, a valid and historically grounded concern.
However, if this analogy is perceived as an attack or as unfairly aligning contemporary practices with those of the Nazis, it can indeed be deeply upsetting, especially to communities such as Holocaust survivors and their descendants. Such comparisons must be handled with extreme care to avoid misinterpretation and to ensure that they contribute constructively to the dialogue around ethical medical practices.
In discussing issues of historical discrimination, including the impact on Jewish psychiatrists and Holocaust survivors, it's crucial to approach the topic with sensitivity and a recognition of the profound suffering experienced by these individuals. The aim should always be to honor their experiences and contributions, promoting an understanding that helps prevent the recurrence of such injustices.
If there are specific aspects of Kinderman's arguments or the broader conversation you would like to explore further or clarify, I'm here to help navigate these complex issues with the depth and respect they deserve.
Thanks, ChatGPT. I will take you up on that offer. I am all for discussing the complex issues around calling psychiatrists Nazis with the depth and respect the issues deserve.
Arriving at ChatGPT’s next-to-last draft response about Kinderman calling psychiatrists Nazis
I primed ChatGPT with a question:
Did psychiatrists fleeing the Holocaust face discrimination in the UK?
The answer was fine and I am saving it for another article. However, things ran off the road when I asked ChatGPT:
How have Peter Kinderman and the British Psychological Society reacted to Jewish psychiatrists?
I am sure that Peter Kinderman and his weird mother (his evaluation, not mine), who served him baked beans, would be pleased with the first draft of their response.
A prominent British clinical psychologist, Peter Kinderman, has advocated for more humane and scientifically grounded approaches to understanding and treating mental health issues. While there isn't specific public documentation of his reactions to Jewish psychiatrists per se, his work aligns with a broad, inclusive, and progressive view on mental health that respects and integrates diverse perspectives and historical contributions, including those from Jewish psychiatrists.
The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. It promotes excellence and ethical practice in the science, education, and practical applications of the field. The BPS has historically been involved in various initiatives to promote diversity and inclusivity within the field of psychology. This would inherently include acknowledging and integrating the contributions of psychiatrists from diverse backgrounds, including Jewish psychiatrists, especially those who fled to the UK during the Holocaust and contributed significantly to British psychology.
The BPS has also recognized historical injustices and promoted ethical practices that address past discriminations. While specific initiatives directly related to Jewish psychiatrists are not explicitly documented in public records, the organization's broader mandates suggest a supportive stance towards an inclusive history that honors the contributions of all psychiatrists, regardless of their background.
Hand me a barf bag and give ChatGPG the Psychology Today article to consider.
The unsatisfactory response was
Thank you for providing the excerpt from Peter Kinderman's article. This text shows that Kinderman deeply engages with the complexities of mental health, genetics, and environmental influences. His reflections do not specifically address his reactions to Jewish psychiatrists or the history of Jewish contributions to psychiatry directly. However, his perspective is influenced by an awareness of the historical misuse of genetics and psychiatry, as shown by his mention of Nazi policies and their impact on mental health practices.
This awareness reflects a sensitivity to the broader issues that would have affected Jewish psychiatrists, particularly those who fled the Holocaust and sought refuge in countries like the UK. Kinderman's approach advocates for a nuanced understanding of mental health that resists simplistic biological determinism and recognizes the interplay of various factors—including genetic, environmental, and social influences—which aligns with ethical standards that would oppose any form of discrimination, including against Jewish psychiatrists.
As for the British Psychological Society (BPS), while Kinderman's article does not directly discuss their specific stance on Jewish psychiatrists, the organization generally promotes ethical practices, inclusivity, and diversity in the field of psychology. The BPS's commitment to addressing historical injustices and promoting a nuanced understanding of mental health issues would likely support a respectful and appreciative acknowledgment of the contributions of Jewish psychiatrists, particularly those who have historically faced persecution and discrimination.
Another Substack article with a goofy title also makes great points. The title makes great sense when you read the article.
In my unbiased opinion, this Substack article is also a great read.
The lessons of this story
Date ChatGPT but don’t marry it or believe everything it tells you.
Because ChatGPT is not a real person, follow a twist on the advice of Dorothy Parker:
Be prepared to kill your current ChatGPT answer and find another opinion you can back with evidence.
As Thomas Carlyle famously warned on Substack: ChatGPT is “a good tool to have as a slave, but a bad master to be ruled by." via Robin Hansom
thanks for calling that to my attention. now fixed.
Dear James, do you mean the British Psychological Society (rather than association)