If Sherlock Holmes Were Born in the AI Era of the 21st Century

Beginning the “Sherlock Holmes” Series

Many people were deeply immersed in mystery novels when they were young. Together with the protagonists, they searched for clues in intricately entangled cases and took steps toward the truth, experiencing a sense of achievement and thrilling tension as if they were real detectives. I also liked Hercule Poirot and Arsène Lupin, but Shirlock Holmes fascinated me the most. It was because of his ability to meticulously observe everything from cigarette ashes to footprints to tiny fingerprints, and uncover the truth through logical reasoning.

The news in 2002 that the complete works of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes had been fully translated and published in Korea was thrilling. I read all nine volumes in one go and was once again captivated by Holmes’s meticulous deductive process and unique way of thinking. At some point, I resolved to deeply analyze Holmes’s various reasoning methods one day—deduction, induction, the hypothetico-deductive method, abduction, etc.—and write a book about them.

However, that dream remained buried at the bottom of my To-Do List for a long time. It was because of my lazy nature and the convenient excuse of a busy life. Then, at the end of last year, I retired, and I could no longer use the excuse of being busy. Moreover, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), which is fundamentally changing our daily lives and ways of thinking beyond being a simple tool, became another reason for me to write this column.

To effectively use generative AI, such as ChatGPT, it is crucial to ask clear and precise questions. And for that, “tacit knowledge” is essential. Tacit knowledge refers to the nuanced judgement that humans develop through experience and learning. (From “Don’t Mess With AI? Human Judgment Wins”, Maeil Business Newspaper, 2023.10.11.) In this regard, understanding and utilizing Holmes’s diverse reasoning methods can be considered the first step in effectively using AI.

From here on, this column will explain and analyze Sherlock Holmes’s various logical reasoning methods using specific examples from his stories. It will then clearly demonstrate how these techniques are connected to modern AI technologies and how to utilize them for better outcomes. Particularly when solving complex problems in everyday life or when seeking creative ideas, the column will offer step-by-step guidance to working effectively with AI, so that readers can gain practical help.

Sherlock Holmes and His Logical Reasoning Methods

Introducing Sherlock Holmes

The complete works of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories are masterpieces that established the archetype of modern detective fiction. In particular, Holmes’s unique character and outstanding deductive skills occupy a singular position in literary history and have become the prototype for countless detective novels and characters.

Sherlock Holmes is a private detective who operates in the dark alleys of late 19th to early 20th century London. He lives in a cozy residence at 221B Baker Street with his friend and physician Dr. John H. Watson, solving numerous complex cases together.

Sherlock Holmes has an older brother named “Mycroft.” Mycroft Holmes is depicted as a secretive high-ranking government official who had a significant influence on Sherlock’s intellectual prowess. He possesses even more exceptional reasoning skills than Sherlock, but due to his inactive personality, he rarely steps outside his office.

Sherlock Holmes is characterized by a cool-headed, analytical nature.. He always prioritizes reason and logic over emotion when analyzing cases. However, he occasionally shows a human side. For instance, he displays emotional agitation toward Irene Adler, whom he meets in A Scandal in Bohemia. He often plays the violin while deep in thought and sometimes even resorts to drug use. These complex traits make him a more intriguing character and captivate readers’ hearts.

Holmes’s most outstanding ability is his sharp observation. He has an amazing talent for noticing even the tiniest details that others might overlook. Based on these minute clues, he pieces together the entire picture of a case. This is the first key to how Holmes approaches the truth of a mystery.

He freely integrates various logical reasoning methods according to the nature and situation of each case to find the optimal solution—deduction, induction, the hypothetico-deductive method, abduction, elimination method, etc. He particularly makes excellent use of deduction, which starts from general principles and leads to specific conclusions, showing a clear process toward a sound judgment.

His vast expertise also plays an important role in his reasoning ability. He possesses extensive knowledge in various fields such as chemistry, anatomy, and criminology and applies them effectively to his deductions. He also has a phenomenal memory, enabling him to recall past events and clues with precision and use them as keys to solving new cases.

Holmes approaches every case with a rigorously systematic method. He gathers clues, establishes various hypotheses, and tests them in an objective and logical manner. He thoroughly excludes personal emotions or biases and analyzes the case solely based on objective evidence and logic. He also applies creative approaches that break away from conventional thinking patterns to solve cases.

This charm of Sherlock Holmes continues to be reinterpreted in various ways today, greatly influencing numerous detective characters and works. For example, Manabu Yukawa in Japanese author Keigo Higashino’s Detective Galileo series clearly inherits Holmes’s hypothetico-deductive method by forming hypotheses and proving them through experiments. In the British BBC drama Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch’s modern portrayal of Holmes uses contemporary tools such as smartphones, the internet, and data analysis technologies. However, it faithfully retains the core elements of the original—deductive thinking, sharp observation, and unique logical reasoning—earning immense love from viewers.

(To be continued in Part 2)

About the Author:

Park Seung-ryong has worked in journalism, PR agencies, the Presidential Office, and cultural content institutions, consistently nurturing a deep interest in logical and insightful thinking. He firmly believes that Sherlock Holmes’s reasoning methods are invaluable for cultivating “thinking power” in the era of generative AI. After retirement, he has been actively promoting the “Sherlockian Way of Thinking.”