Mind the van Emden Gap

This article explores M.H. van Emden's 1982 paper 'Mental Ergonomics as Basis for New-Generation Computer Systems,' which proposed a 'conversational partner' for Computer-Aided Thought (CAT) using formal logic to enforce explicit reasoning and productive friction. The author contrasts van Emden's vision with modern LLM-based interfaces, arguing that English ambiguity in LLMs preserves hidden assumptions and lacks the pushback van Emden deemed essential for intellectual growth. The article critiques how LLMs accept vague prompts without demanding clarification, unlike van Emden's logic-based system that required precise, structured arguments. It reflects on the gap between van Emden's ideal of a reflexive, clarifying tool and today's AI chatbots.