GenAI and Ancient Greek Natural Philosophy

This chapter outlines a design framework for employing generative AI chatbots (GenAI) as Socratic dialogue partners to enhance students' engagement with fundamental scientific concepts through historically informed discourse. The proposed framework consists of four components: Initiation, Dialogue, Reflection, and Evaluation and Transfer. Feedback loops connect these parts to ensure that teachers' goals, AI prompts, classroom activities, and formative assessments are all aligned. This study concentrates on ancient Greek natural philosophy, particularly Presocratic and Aristotelian concepts regarding matter, change, and causality. The chapter argues that Socratic dialogues with GenAI, placed in historical contexts, can facilitate better understanding of core scientific concepts, foster critical and reflective thinking, as well as help students to locate modern scientific knowledge within a broader historical and cultural context. It also addresses the moral, legal, and management issues that arise when utilising GenAI to facilitate Socratic dialogue responsibly.