The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Ultrafinitism with a largest number

Infinitely More • 25 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Logic Foundations Metaphysics Epistemology
  1. Ultrafinitism holds that only comparatively small or ‘feasible’ numbers exist, and finite arithmetic (FA) formalizes this by axiomatizing arithmetic with a single largest natural number.
  2. The full theory true in all finite truncation models is not computably axiomatizable, so FA is a distinct and simply stated theory rather than that inexpressible common truncation theory.
  3. Any model of FA can be interpreted inside a strictly taller FA-model where the former largest number attains much larger values (making previously undefined sums and products defined), revealing a potentialist hierarchy that, when iterated, yields models arising from truncations of bounded induction.

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.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Inequality

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 339 implied HN points • 14 May 23
📖 Philosophy Equality Socialism Justice
  1. The post discusses G.A. Cohen's luck egalitarianism, a dialogue with socialist philosopher Christine Sypnowich, and the focus of egalitarians on what to equalize.
  2. A forum in _Boston Review_ titled "Is Equal Opportunity Enough?" features a discussion on justice led by Christine Sypnowich.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only, prompting a subscription to access the content.

The subtle art of not giving a f*ck

A Bit Gamey • 13 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Stoicism Values Identity Decision-making
  1. You already care about too many things; the solution is subtraction—choose a few priorities and ignore the rest so your actions have real impact.
  2. Recognize you're not uniquely entitled to success; accepting ordinariness lets you stop complaining and commit to the hard work that matters.
  3. Take responsibility for your responses, set boundaries by saying no, admit when you don't know, and use the reality of death to sharpen what you care about.

The past that never was

Trickle-Down Wellness • 334 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Wisdom Contentment
  1. We often idealize a past that never truly existed, from nostalgic eras to ancient times and perfect ideals.
  2. The obsession with rejecting modernity in favor of an imagined better past can lead to harmful narratives, whether in skincare products or health ideologies.
  3. Embracing impermanence, contentment, and right action can help us confront the present and create a better future, rather than chasing unattainable perfection in the past.
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DRAFT: Prosperity & "Utopia": The Moving Target :: History of Economic Growth Lecture Notes 1.5

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 199 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Economic Theory Political Philosophy Historical Analysis Cultural critique
  1. Utopias represent different ideas of a perfect society, like order, simplicity, pleasure, freedom, and collective purpose. However, real examples often don't match these ideals.
  2. Economic growth is important, but it doesn't guarantee happiness or satisfaction. It's complicated because people might just want more, rather than knowing what truly makes them happy.
  3. Historical models of societies like Sparta, Arcadia, and Rome show that chasing perfection can lead to problems. It's vital to think critically about what we truly want from life.

How would anarchist societies protect themselves?

The Novelleist • 553 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Anarchism Society Conflict Protection Governance
  1. Anarchist societies might struggle with conflict and violence without a police force or official laws, as history shows many groups resolved issues through harsh means.
  2. The idea of countries without states not going to war seems optimistic; history shows that powerful groups have often conquered more peaceful societies.
  3. It's unclear how communities could operate without structured work and schools while still getting things done, and more examples are needed to understand how this could work in practice.

Reflections on Ethical Vegetarianism, Part 1

Bet On It • 155 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Vegetarianism Utilitarianism Moral theory Consciousness
  1. Some philosophers argue about whether insects can feel pain and suffer. This discussion could change how we think about treating insects ethically.
  2. One argument suggests that if insects suffer greatly, exterminating them might actually help. This idea is surprising and challenges common beliefs about animal rights.
  3. Different philosophers have different views on ethics. Some focus on maximizing happiness, while others believe in multiple moral values. This leads to debates about what is right or wrong in various situations.

The worse bullshitter

Sunday Letters • 139 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Self-awareness Cognition Impostor syndrome Personal Growth
  1. It's easy to think we understand something fully, but we often realize we don't when we actually try to do it. This can happen in both math and programming.
  2. Sometimes we can fool ourselves into believing we know more than we do, which can make us the worst kind of bullshitter. This is especially tricky because it can tie into feelings of impostor syndrome.
  3. To avoid deceiving ourselves, it's important to be honest about our results. Whether in math, programming, or management, focusing on real outcomes can keep us grounded.

The Most Dangerous Idea

Secretum Secretorum • 1161 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Reality Consciousness Spirituality Human experience
  1. Traumatic transcendence challenges the concept that extreme states of consciousness can manipulate physics, prompting a need for deeper understanding through experiments induced by profound suffering.
  2. Evidence and reasoning suggest that consciousness may transcend normal physics, as seen in tales from folklore and religious history, trauma-related phenomenon, and philosophical arguments against materialism.
  3. Love plays an integral role in traumatic transcendence and mystical experiences, emphasizing a connection between profound experiences and emotion, challenging traditional metaphysical paradigms.

2.1 Ancient Ideas of Atomism & Plenism

Fields & Energy • 219 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Physics Metaphysics
  1. The concept of atomism began in ancient Greece with philosophers like Leucippus and Democritus, who believed everything is made up of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms. They also thought a void exists where these atoms move.
  2. Democritus' ideas influenced later thinkers like Epicurus, who introduced the idea that atoms can swerve randomly, allowing for free will. Lucretius expanded on this by describing how tiny particles move in ways we can't always see.
  3. Aristotle challenged atomism with his idea of plenism, which suggests everything is filled with matter and there is no empty space. He argued that motion is continuous and depends on the presence of matter all around.

Understanding Luigi Mangione

Philosophy bear • 500 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ideology Biography Narrative Agency Social Psychology
  1. Luigi Mangione's journey shows how complex a person's beliefs can be. He seemed to struggle with various political ideas throughout his life, often changing directions.
  2. People often don’t think strictly in political terms, but rather look for answers to different issues independently. This highlights the difficulty in fitting people into rigid ideological boxes.
  3. Luigi's story underlines the importance of feeling included in communities, especially for those wanting to make the world a better place. A lack of belonging can lead to frustration and misguided actions.

The Alchemy of Crisis

The Joyous Struggle • 276 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Crisis
  1. The concept of crisis should be viewed with discernment to free oneself from its hold and not default to crisis-thinking as the primary mode of existence.
  2. The alchemy of crisis involves transcending crisis-thinking to uncover hidden potential and engage in a meaningful way with the world, shifting from crisis-oriented language to exploring prefigurative elements of a better world.
  3. Different stages of crisis perception like crisis, polycrisis, permacrisis, metacrisis, and postcrisis reflect evolving relationships with crises, emphasizing the need to move towards a mature understanding of crisis as one aspect among many in societal dynamics.

Look Who's Talking: G.A. Cohen on Israeli Condemnations of Palestinian Terrorism

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 319 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political Philosophy Moral dilemmas Critique
  1. G.A. Cohen questioned the equal right of everyone to condemn terrorist attacks, highlighting the complexity of moral standing in such situations.
  2. Cohen's analysis of Israeli-Palestinian conflict suggests that those responsible for injustices may lack the moral standing to condemn actions that result from the grievances they caused.
  3. The argument presents a thought-provoking analogy involving responsibilities and moral condemnations in a hypothetical scenario, challenging the notion of moral authority in certain situations.

Learning from the Past

The Memory Palace • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Memory Learning Testimony Mistakes History
  1. Learning from past mistakes is important. We need to know what went wrong and be ready to act differently to avoid making those mistakes again.
  2. Personal memories make it easier to learn from the past. When we remember past events ourselves, we can understand them better than if we only hear about them from others.
  3. Testimony from others can help us learn, but it requires effort. We can't just hear about something once; we need to actively engage with the information to truly learn from it.

Reflections on Parfit: A Philosopher and His Mission to Save Morality

Bentham's Newsletter • 314 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Ideas Legacy
  1. Derek Parfit's life was both bizarre and fascinating as a philosopher with a mission to save morality.
  2. Parfit's eccentricities developed over time; he started out as a relatively normal boy who later became obsessed with philosophy.
  3. Those who become truly obsessed with a topic, like Parfit with philosophy, tend to make significant contributions and impact in that field.

The Erosion of Memory

do clouds feel vertigo? • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Legacy Memory Cultural values Human experience
  1. Legacy today is changing as we create less permanent records, like videos and posts, instead of lasting monuments. Our descendants might have more data about us, but that doesn't mean they will remember us.
  2. The concepts and contributions that stand out are often shaped by their timing and the culture around them. What’s valued in society can change, making some legacies fade while others endure.
  3. Many legacies are the result of collective efforts rather than just individual actions. The connections between ideas and how they spread play a big role in determining what is remembered.

In Defense of Repression

Litverse • 379 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Identity Psychology Meaning Belief Existentialism
  1. Our cells constantly die and renew, questioning our identity continuity - Are we the same from day to day?
  2. Around 20% of Americans receive mental health treatment, with generational differences in therapy acceptance.
  3. Repression can be seen as a means to connect to a greater meaning beyond the self and as a tool for survival.

Rorty vs. Marx vs. Proudhon: Is it a "Pity" that the Best Political Economist of the Nineteenth Century Majored in Philosophy?

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 239 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism Critical Theory
  1. Some Marxists exaggerate the significance of the dialectical method, but Marx's Hegelian background did provide him with unique insights into capitalism.
  2. Rorty, Marx, and Proudhon each contributed distinct perspectives to political economy in the 19th century.
  3. The discussion around majoring in philosophy as a basis for becoming a political economist raises interesting questions about educational backgrounds.

Humans are good (except for that one guy)

The Novelleist • 1075 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature Ethics Social Structures Anarchism
  1. There are good people who do positive things, but also 'that guy' who causes harm and makes rules and regulations necessary.
  2. Bad actors may be a small percentage, but their impact can be significant, leading to the need for larger systems to handle such individuals.
  3. While rules and regulations are essential for addressing bad behavior, they can sometimes become burdensome due to the actions of a few individuals.

Everyone Dies at the Same Time

Opaque Hourglass • 299 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Death Time Reincarnation
  1. When we die, time stops for us, and all moments after that are the same.
  2. The universe may cycle through endless iterations of expansion and contraction, potentially leading to reincarnation.
  3. Reincarnation could be plausible, with the universe recycling itself until the circumstances that led to our existence repeat, all happening instantly post-death.

Cooperation is really quite strange

Something to Consider • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Cooperation Game Theory Trust Society
  1. In games where people simply act in their own self-interest, everyone can end up worse off. This shows how strange cooperation can be.
  2. People's beliefs about currency stability can create real economic problems, even if those beliefs are not matched by reality.
  3. Trust and cooperation are essential for a functioning economy and society. Improving these relationships takes time and effort, often needing everyone to change together.

Psychology Links, 1/19/2025

In My Tribe • 379 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Self-deception Social Behavior Ethics
  1. Many adults get stuck at a certain stage of moral development, which limits their understanding of complex societal issues. It's important to transition to a higher stage to deal with modern challenges.
  2. People often don't recognize their true motives and tend to present themselves in a better light. This self-deception can make us overly optimistic about ideas like socialism.
  3. Some people are naturally inclined to enforce social norms, which can lead to dangerous ideologies if not kept in check. It's essential to be aware of these tendencies in order to maintain a balanced society.

The cupboards of perfection

De Pony Sum • 294 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Self-Improvement Perfection Identity Ethics
  1. The concept of perfect self-improvement cupboards is explored, where individuals step in to be improved in different ways.
  2. Different versions of the cupboards were created to address issues like changing preferences and ensuring consent at each stage of improvement.
  3. Ultimately, a MetaUltimate cupboard was designed, allowing individuals to go through their preferred self-improvement process, raising questions about what the perfect self-improvement process truly is.

The Dance of Light and Dark

Clinsights • 294 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Truth Enlightenment
  1. Combining all colors of light creates white, while combining paint colors makes black.
  2. The dance of energy and matter in the universe is a constant transformation from light to dark and back.
  3. While our bodies return to chaos, our minds and consciousness trend towards increasing order and light.

Merrill's razor

Nick Merrill • 275 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Merrill's razor: Do not blame malice, when it could be explained by anxiety or depression.
  2. Consider mental health: Understanding depression or anxiety can change the way we interpret actions.
  3. Be empathetic: Instead of assuming the worst, try to understand the underlying issues.

Why be good?

Philosophy bear • 143 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Moral Psychology Altruism Human nature Existentialism
  1. Caring for others can make your own life feel more meaningful. When you invest in other people's well-being, you often find joy and purpose in your own life.
  2. Being good helps create consistency in your feelings and attitudes. If you resent others when they do bad things, being moral yourself can bring harmony to your thoughts.
  3. Building connections with others is easier when you care about them. Genuine friendships often rely on shared values, and caring for people can help foster those meaningful relationships.

Recommended Reading, Part II: Anthrophysiocracy

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1040 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature Political Ideologies Genetics Social Structures
  1. Anthrophysiocracy explores the idea that there are objectively better social structures for human flourishing based on human nature, which varies across populations.
  2. The concept of constrained and unconstrained viewpoints on human nature influences political ideologies and social debates, with implications for societal structures and governance.
  3. Biological differences among human populations impact behavior and societal organization, challenging the notion of a universal governing system and emphasizing the importance of diverse self-governance.

Home

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 838 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
📖 Philosophy Home
  1. The post is written by Dr. Sharon Blackie and is for paid subscribers only.
  2. The post reflects on the concept of home with a quote from Charles Dickens' _Martin Chuzzlewit_.
  3. Subscribers can access the full post by subscribing or signing in.