The sophist in the server
Large language models can defend a hypothesis and its opposite with equal eloquence, raising a new risk for scientific reasoning: confusing rhetorical plausibility with evidential support. This essay analyzes how LLMs reshape creativity, judgment and responsibility in research—and how scientists can engage their fluency without surrendering epistemic discipline.
Authors
- Maria T Colangelo
- Carlo Galli
Institutions
- University of Parma (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- EMBO Reports
- Published
- 2026-02-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44319-026-00711-w
- Primary Topic
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00