The hottest Mind Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

Solipsism>>Determinism

Bet On It • 196 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Free will Determinism Mind Epistemology
  1. Libertarian free will means you have real choices, unlike determinism which says you can only act one way based on past events.
  2. Your own thoughts and decisions feel real to you, and denying them goes against personal experiences and observations.
  3. Even though solipsism (the idea that only your mind is certain) seems crazy, it makes more sense than determinism, which asks you to ignore your direct experiences.

The new Liar's Paradox

The Intrinsic Perspective • 15503 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Consciousness AI Knowledge Mind
  1. AI welfare is an emerging field that raises questions about whether AI can experience consciousness and suffering like humans do. We need to think about how to treat AI responsibly if they do have feelings.
  2. There are moral dilemmas when it comes to AI—if we treat non-conscious AIs as if they are conscious, we might confuse what they're actually capable of feeling. This can lead to unnecessary concerns or misplaced reliance on them.
  3. Studying consciousness is hard because people often tell researchers what they think they want to hear. This makes it tough to trust any reports about their true experiences.

Essay Club: The Extended Mind by Andy Clark and David Chalmers

Mind & Mythos • 159 implied HN points • 16 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Cognition Mind Beliefs Cognitive Science Philosophers
  1. The idea of the 'extended mind' suggests that our thinking isn't just in our brains; it includes tools and objects around us. For example, using a calculator isn't just a help; it's part of how we think.
  2. The authors argue that relying on external objects, like notebooks or smartphones, can be essential for forming beliefs and ideas, similar to how we use our memories. This means our minds can extend into the world around us.
  3. While some people disagree with this view, saying real thinking should only happen in our heads, the authors believe that our connections to our environment and the tools we use are important parts of how we think and behave.
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Thinking harder doesn’t work (or how I learned to love the right half of my brain)

Play Permissionless • 239 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Mind Balance Intuition Narrative Understanding
  1. Thinking harder doesn't always lead to solutions; learning to balance the analytical left brain with the intuitive right brain is key.
  2. The left brain creates plans and maps, but the right brain helps in spotting the obvious and maintaining flexibility in problem-solving.
  3. A healthy power balance between the left and right brain is crucial for creativity and effective decision-making.

A New Model of Memory: Representational Change and Representational Success

The Memory Palace • 139 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Mind Perception Memory Cognition Epistemology
  1. Memory shouldn't be judged the same way as perception. Just because we can't remember everything perfectly doesn't mean our memory is faulty.
  2. Instead of thinking about memory accuracy, we should look at how well a memory represents something. This means we can accept changes in how memories are formed and recalled.
  3. Unique aspects of memories, like 'authenticity,' might not be the best standard to evaluate them. Instead, we should focus on how memories succeed in representing our experiences in various ways.

Box #7

What Is Called Thinking? • 18 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Theology Mind Ethics Literature
  1. Expertise is not just about having more knowledge; it's about knowing how to organize that knowledge effectively, a skill known as chunking.
  2. As software development becomes easier for AI, university professors need to prove why their teaching is still valuable or risk being replaced by technology.
  3. Finding deeper meaning in life is important; comfort and ease can lead to a lack of purpose, so striving for something greater is crucial.

Box #4

What Is Called Thinking? • 21 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics Mind Religion Aesthetics
  1. Being outraged online seems to be popular, even though it's not a nice feeling. People share outrage more than any other emotion, which might say a lot about our current social media habits.
  2. Our minds focus on what we find important, similar to how certain AI models operate. This brings to light how rituals and habits can shape our thinking and keep what matters most in our attention.
  3. There's a growing recognition that we all have a perspective on the future, even if we don't realize it. Discussions about technology and its impact hint at deeper societal issues that we need to consider.

Models of Humans

10-year Horizon • 159 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Consciousness Self Reality Existence
  1. Learning often involves modeling others' behaviors, beliefs, and ways of thinking. We unconsciously create mental models of people we admire or learn from.
  2. Our brains and AI models share similarities in how they learn and adapt, going through training phases to recognize patterns and predict outcomes.
  3. Exploring and understanding our inner sub-personalities through techniques like Internal Family Systems can help us manage relationships with these models for personal growth.

Learning to see better by learning to unsee | #15

pole • 78 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Perception Existence Learning Mind Self
  1. In the journey of learning and growth, it's important to embrace the process and not get too caught up in setbacks.
  2. Sometimes, the key to understanding and creativity lies in viewing the world from different perspectives and challenging existing perceptions.
  3. Learning to unsee and approach situations with a fresh perspective can lead to deeper insights and personal growth.

Under the Power

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Identity Body Connection
  1. When faced with a negative state or fear, we can choose to either not identify with it or will ourselves to face it.
  2. Separating from identification with negative emotions allows for inner growth and the possibility of uniting inner forces through willpower.
  3. Observing bodily manifestations of emotions and intentional relaxation can aid in freeing oneself from identifications and negative states.

Who Are You?

Weekly Wisdom • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Identity Mind Awareness Consciousness
  1. Reflection on personal identity is complex and goes beyond just a name or profession. It involves deep introspection and questioning.
  2. Through self-inquiry practices like meditative questioning, one can uncover layers of identity and explore the nature of the mind.
  3. Identity is a fluid concept, influenced by societal norms, personal experiences, and the mind's tendency to categorize and label aspects of the self.

Understanding™, or the computational theory of mind

Silicon Reckoner • 19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Understanding Intelligence Science Theory
  1. The computational theory of mind is based on a metaphor and tends to take symbolic logic too seriously.
  2. Trademarked concepts like intelligence™ may limit the full understanding of intelligence by excluding certain human emotions like wonder and anxiety.
  3. Understanding in mathematics involves knowing what to calculate and having the technical skill to make those calculations.

I'm writing about stuff

Tom Thought • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ideas Mind History Politics
  1. The author writes about various topics like history, philosophy, politics, and tech, sharing thoughts that are on their mind.
  2. They are primarily writing for their own benefit, even if nobody reads it, but open to connecting with like-minded individuals who vibe with their ideas.
  3. The newsletter serves as a platform for the author to share ideas separate from their area of expertise, a space to explore and discuss different topics openly.

You're Living in a Simulation, Wake Up!

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics Mind Reality
  1. Some people believe we might be living in a simulation, which raises interesting questions about our reality. This idea challenges what we think about existence and what is real.
  2. Nick Bostrom's influential paper suggests three scenarios about advanced civilizations and simulations. He wonders if civilizations either go extinct, don't create simulations, or if there are more simulated worlds than real ones.
  3. Elon Musk has shared that there's a tiny chance we're living in 'base reality.' His thoughts add to the debate about whether our experiences are genuine or part of a larger simulation.

Beyond Senses

Joe Tourville • 6 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Reality Perception
  1. Our intellect is our primary tool for grasping reality, not our senses.
  2. The key to true understanding lies within ourselves, not in the external world.
  3. By focusing inward and understanding our own minds, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

A challenge for AI sceptics

Philosophy bear • 1 HN point • 14 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy AI Mind Debate Critiques
  1. Being an AI skeptic involves questioning the significance of current machine learning research compared to its hype.
  2. Critiques of contemporary machine learning models often involve concerns about their lack of explicit processing, grounding of symbols, and theoretical basis.
  3. The challenge presented is to define a task that current large language models cannot perform, with specific criteria to avoid loopholes or biased assessments.

Andy Clark Meets the Grasshopper

By Reason Alone • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Mind Existence Knowledge Ethics Reality
  1. Life could be considered a game with a goal of minimizing surprise, which is a simple and shared objective
  2. The belief-updating process in life might follow Bayesian principles, but this approach is debated among philosophers
  3. Dreams could serve the purpose of testing and challenging the brain's models of the world to minimize surprises and enhance adaptability

3. Language, code, our minds and the future

Insight Axis • 0 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Language Code Mind Future
  1. Our minds are influenced by the structure, content, and presentation of information, such as the language we speak, read, and write.
  2. Jobs won't be fully replaced by code and AI but rather evolve with these technological advancements, where humans will use computational tools to enhance their work.
  3. As programming becomes more common, our written and spoken language may change, simplifying sentences and potentially leading to a future where thinking in code affects how we write in prose.

What makes consciousness so interesting anyway?

Meaningful Particulars • 0 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Mind Reality Language Perception
  1. There isn't a clear, agreed-upon definition of consciousness, despite much interest from scientists and philosophers
  2. Subjective phenomena in consciousness are connected with a specific point of view that is challenging to reconcile with objective, physical theories
  3. Consciousness is not a simple category, but a complex collection of mental experiences, emotions, and perceptions that defy easy definition

The Physics of the Mind Part 1

Vic's Verdict • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🔬 Science Physics Mind Thermodynamics Entropy Meaning
  1. Thoughts can be viewed as a form of energy, following the First Law of Thermodynamics. Your thoughts have sources like your experiences and food, and lead to actions and behaviors.
  2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics applies to the mind, suggesting that without active engagement in learning, relationships, or creativity, our minds decay into chaos. Fostering a sense of meaning and purpose helps combat this decay.
  3. One must identify their 'why' in the battle against entropy. Building systems, relationships, and investing in values can help endure beyond one's lifetime, much like how businesses or legacies can persist through deliberate design.