The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

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Philosophy is the mathematics of language

Wood From Eden • 816 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Language Mathematics Concepts Logic Epistemology
  1. Philosophy is the art of clarifying concepts and finding links between them.
  2. Philosophy is similar to mathematics in that it explores relationships between concepts, just as mathematics explores relationships between numbers.
  3. Concepts in philosophy change over time, making it a field that evolves constantly unlike mathematics which is built on stable concepts.

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.

Links to Consider, 10/15/2024

In My Tribe • 288 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Ethics Free speech Psychology Society
  1. Personality tests like the Big Five or Myers-Briggs might not be very good at predicting important life outcomes. Their accuracy isn't much better than just guessing.
  2. Free speech has changed over time, moving from a focus on persuading others to simply expressing one's own beliefs. This represents a shift in how we communicate and engage with each other.
  3. Modern societies often value citizenship over family ties, which affects people's views on having children. Many may feel pressured to prioritize social status over family-building.
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Why I Don't Buy the A-Theory of Time

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 579 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Time Morality Dualism Materialism
  1. The A-Theory of Time proposes an objectively real, constantly shifting "present moment," which becomes more bizarre upon deeper contemplation.
  2. Studying philosophy in college often involves exploring brain-in-a-vat-style thought experiments about knowledge, debates between Utilitarianism and Kantianism on morality, as well as discussions on mind-body dualism versus materialism.
  3. Access to certain posts and discussions on topics like the A-Theory of Time may be restricted to paid subscribers on platforms like Substack.

Good Memory

The Memory Palace • 79 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Memory Metaphysics Cognition Critical Thinking
  1. Memory is often seen as less reliable than other ways of knowing, like perception. It doesn't create new knowledge but relies on what it's given, so it might forget important details.
  2. When we remember things, we can also remember them incorrectly or distort them. This means that sometimes memory can lead us to feel certain about things that are actually wrong.
  3. Despite its flaws, memory still plays an important role in how we understand our experiences. It can help us organize our memories, but we should be careful not to trust it too much.

Courage and Moonshots

Castles in the Sky • 29 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Science Humanism
  1. Big, crazy ideas can spark real change. Even if they seem impossible, they can lead to groundbreaking outcomes, like space travel.
  2. Dealing with the unknown is key to growth. Embracing humility, curiosity, and courage helps us face challenges and pursue innovative ideas.
  3. It's important to focus on practical steps for achieving goals. Even the most visionary thinkers made their mark by doing the hard, everyday work.

Meta-rational practices: Overview 1

Meaningness • 219 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Meta-rationality Norms Practices Reasoning
  1. Meta-rationality is different from traditional rationality and requires an open-ended inquiry and responsiveness to various contexts and purposes.
  2. Meta-rationality involves ongoing consideration of when and how to apply rationality, recognizing situations where rational methods may not be sufficient.
  3. The norms of reasonableness, rationality, and meta-rationality differ in terms of accountability, formal rules adherence, and responsiveness to context and purpose.

Agnes Callard's Slavery Poll

Going Awol • 239 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Debate Personal Identity
  1. Agnes Callard faced backlash for asking if it's better to suffer blamelessly than to live a nice life doing something morally horrifying.
  2. Critics questioned the timing and format of Callard's poll on slavery, suggesting it was inappropriate or limiting choices.
  3. Ayn Rand supporters like Gregory Salmieri criticized Callard's hypothetical scenario for being disconnected from actionable situations.

The Intrinsic Value of Consciousness

Going Awol • 139 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Value Consciousness Aesthetics Beauty
  1. Intrinsic value is value something has for its own sake, like pleasure or achievement, while instrumental value is value something has as a means to an end, like money.
  2. Consciousness is considered instrumentally valuable as it is a prerequisite for many intrinsically valuable things like forming relationships, feeling happiness, and experiencing beauty.
  3. The aesthetic value of consciousness lies in its beauty and the wonder it inspires, as it is seen as sublime and intricately mysterious.

In Praise of Lying to Children

Going Awol • 179 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Deception Children Truth Gratitude
  1. The debate about lying to children, including about Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy, is a recurring one.
  2. Different ethical arguments are presented, like the Consequentialist Argument and the Non-Consequentialist Argument, discussing the impact of such lies on trust, critical thinking, and moral development.
  3. While some argue that lying to children about these characters can impede moral development and gratitude expression, others suggest that the magic added to a child's life through these stories can be a positive influence.

Issues in Philosophy of Memory 4

The Memory Palace • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Memory Ethics Epistemology Metaphysics Politics
  1. The philosophy of memory is growing quickly, with more conferences and research on it recently. People are exploring topics about how we remember and what memory means.
  2. The fourth conference on philosophy of memory will take place in Geneva in June 2024. It will feature key talks and papers from researchers from many different countries.
  3. The event will cover a wide range of memory-related topics, from how we remember to the connections between memory and emotions. It aims to inspire new ideas and discussions in the field.

What is a Visionary?

The Joyous Struggle • 533 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Future Consciousness Humanity Transformation
  1. Visionaries see the future and offer direction, often through inspiring ideas and stories.
  2. Visionaries work to bring new worlds into being through language and action, shaping collective perception.
  3. Today's visionaries need to address challenges in a digital and planetary context, inspiring viable and desirable futures through qualities like fluency in different realities, questioning paradigms, and envisioning transformative struggles.

Mindwoven Reality

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 16 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Epistemology Idealism Spirit Consciousness Reality
  1. Reality is seen as a unified whole, shaped by our thoughts and consciousness. Our thinking isn't just a reflection, but a force that actively creates our experiences.
  2. Thinking connects us to a shared reality, allowing us to transcend personal feelings. While feelings can divide us, our thoughts unite us in understanding.
  3. Reality is dynamic and evolves with our engagement and consciousness. We don't uncover fixed laws but interact with a living reality that's always changing.

Private Philosophy > Public Philosophy

thestoa • 294 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Critical Thinking Ethics
  1. Public philosophy is engaging in philosophical discourse with the general public outside of academic environments.
  2. Private philosophy is crucial for nurturing autonomy of thoughts without succumbing to societal pressures.
  3. Balancing private and public philosophy practices is essential for genuine philosophical inquiry.

Reclaiming Cornucopianism

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 627 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Innovation
  1. Cornucopianism suggests that human intellect and creativity can generate an abundance of resources and solutions.
  2. Malthusianism is the opposing viewpoint that argues there are limits to growth and resources on a finite planet.
  3. The metaphor of the cornucopia can be seen as a call for techno-optimists to embrace the idea of continuous progress and innovation.

The Spreading Cracks in the Facade of Reality

Charles Eisenstein • 11 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Reality Narrative Perception Metaphysics
  1. Reality is shaped by narratives and stories. How we view the world and share those views can change what's possible.
  2. Many conspiracy theories are messy and can't all be true, leading to confusion. Understanding the truth will take time as these ideas mix and clash.
  3. Our choices and feelings shape the future. Positive actions and emotions can lead to a better outcome, while negative ones can bring harm.

Can We Break the Spell?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Psychedelics Human nature Society Consciousness Reality
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Adverse Selection by Life Saving Charities

Optima & Outliers • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Social contract Moral Philosophy
  1. Life-saving charities often focus on minimizing costs per life saved, which can lead to overlooking the quality of life in poorer countries. Simply saving the cheapest lives doesn't account for how much those lives might suffer.
  2. Saving lives in low-income countries often involves addressing symptoms of deeper issues related to poor governance and societal conditions. These issues make it easier to save lives but often result in a lower quality of life.
  3. It's important to consider both present and future quality of life when deciding where to allocate resources for life-saving efforts. Countries with better governance and prospects for improvement may yield better outcomes for saved lives.

Introducing The McGilchrist Manoeuvre

The Joyous Struggle • 474 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Perspective Metaphysics Perception
  1. The McGilchrist Manoeuvre highlights the importance of acknowledging the different but equally valuable perspectives of the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
  2. It emphasizes the relative trustworthiness of the right hemisphere's viewpoint in guiding us on understanding reality and making progress in philosophy.
  3. The maneuver involves transcending contradictions and recognizing the generative nature of coinciding opposites, ultimately enriching our perception and understanding of complex aspects of life.

Why Going with Our Gut is Not Enough: Critical Thinking and the Art of Mindfulness

Humanities in Revolt • 319 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Critical Thinking Mindfulness Interpretation Intellectual humility
  1. Our thoughts shape our world: The power of critical thinking and mindfulness is evident in how our thoughts influence our experiences and actions.
  2. Mindfulness over gut reactions: While automated thinking can be useful, critical thinking requires self-awareness to assess situations, especially new and unfamiliar ones.
  3. Interpretation and critical thinking: Understanding how interpretation and inference impact our understanding of the world is crucial for developing critical thinking skills and constructing meaningful beliefs.

Mars Isn't Enough

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Political theory Ethics Social Philosophy Metaphysics Existentialism
  1. Modern society is facing a legitimation crisis, meaning people feel disconnected and lack shared values or purpose. This breakdown of old beliefs leaves a void that can be filled by extreme ideologies.
  2. Many attempts to create a universal moral framework without a unifying story have not worked well. This leads to more chaos and fragmentation in society.
  3. An idea called monistic idealism suggests that consciousness is the basic reality, which could help rebuild social connections and inspire care for each other and the planet right now.

Ten Borrowed Years

'Sorry, can you speak up? I have Tinnitus.' • 61 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Mortality Existentialism Self-reflection Meaning of life Personal Growth
  1. Life is fragile and can change in an instant. After nearly dying, it's clear that every day is a gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
  2. We all have a choice in how we live our lives. Instead of just going through the motions, we should actively strive to make our lives meaningful and impactful.
  3. Understanding our own mortality motivates us to live fully. It's important to remember that our actions today can create a lasting difference in the world.

2.5 René Descartes

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy History Logic Metaphysics Epistemology Ethics
  1. René Descartes believed science is connected and trying to find one truth could help explain other truths. He thought this truth came from the 'infinite perfections of God.'
  2. He had some important ideas in physics, like how light bends and motion is conserved. However, some of his ideas turned out to be wrong, showing that science takes time to improve.
  3. Descartes thought that studying nature could help humans control it, but his methods sometimes lacked support from experiments. He lived a relaxed life, which changed when he had to teach in Sweden and sadly got pneumonia.

The Thing About Change

Insight Axis • 434 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Change Acceptance Fear Pain Growth
  1. Change is often accompanied by pain, and that's okay. Accepting the pain is crucial for growth.
  2. To make a change, it's important to follow your fear, as it can show you where you need to grow.
  3. Embodying change means accepting the discomfort and fear, knowing they do not define you.

The "letters to an anarchist" post-mortem

The Novelleist • 141 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Anarchism Political theory Ethics Social Change Correspondence
  1. Peter and Elle wrote a year-long series of letters about anarchism, discussing various topics related to the philosophy. It's an effort to understand and explain anarchism more deeply.
  2. They published their correspondence in eight parts, covering ideas like the goals of anarchism and how societies can protect themselves without traditional governance.
  3. They also held an event to share their experiences and respond to readers' feedback, highlighting the importance of open dialogue in exploring complex ideas.