Skip to content
aiqbench takeAI Safety

aiqbench analysis

This research proposes pragmatic inference-driven methods to help large language models diagnose and correct moral errors, moving beyond brittle heuristics toward deeper semantic understanding of ethical appropriateness. By varying inference procedures based on inferential load rather than modeling complex distributions separately, the approach demonstrates improved generalization across out-of-the-distribution tasks while maintaining alignment with morally appropriate outputs.
Source coveringarXiv
What this isA model's reading of the article and related coverage, written for aiqbench. Not the publisher's words.

Learning to Diagnose and Correct Errors: Towards Moral Sensitivity Acquisition in Large Language Models

arXiv2 min read

arXiv:2601.03079v5 Announce Type: replace Abstract: Existing approaches to moral value alignment are primarily set out to align LLMs' generation with the distributions of morally appropriate language, which has seen good progress. However, these approaches are often brittle, heavily rely on shallow heuristics, and reduce performance in out-of-the-distribution tasks. In other words, the learning paradigm underlying existing approaches teaches LLMs what morally (in)appropriate language looks like, but not why it is morally (in)appropriate. In this paper, we address this challenge by developing pragmatic inference-driven methods to facilitate LLMs' learning of how to diagnose and correct moral errors, thereby enabling them to generate morally appropriate language. Pragmatic inference is the reasoning process of deriving (implied) meanings -- a famous concept in linguistics. Our methods vary the inference procedures by the inferential load of different moral discourses, rather than modelling their diverse and complex semantic distributions separately. Empirical results demonstrate that our approach improves moral value alignment in LLMs and generalizes effectively across tasks.

Abstract:Existing approaches to moral value alignment are primarily set out to align LLMs' generation with the distributions of morally appropriate language, which has seen good progress. However, these approaches are often brittle, heavily rely on shallow heuristics, and reduce performance in out-of-the-distribution tasks. In other words, the learning paradigm underlying existing approaches teaches LLMs what morally (in)appropriate language looks like, but not why it is morally (in)appropriate. In this paper, we address this challenge by developing pragmatic inference-driven methods to facilitate LLMs' learning of how to diagnose and correct moral errors, thereby enabling them to generate morally appropriate language. Pragmatic inference is the reasoning process of deriving (implied) meanings -- a famous concept in linguistics. Our methods vary the inference procedures by the inferential load of different moral discourses, rather than modelling their diverse and complex semantic distributions separately. Empirical results demonstrate that our approach improves moral value alignment in LLMs and generalizes effectively across tasks.

Computation and Language (cs.CL)

arXiv:2601.03079 [cs.CL]

(or arXiv:2601.03079v5 [cs.CL] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2601.03079 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.

Full text under the publisher's open licence · 249 words

Related coverage