The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

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How to Embrace the B-Theory of Time Without Abandoning All of Human Language

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 119 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Time Language Theory
  1. The B-Theory of time challenges the idea of an ontologically privileged present moment compared to the A-Theory.
  2. The B-Theory suggests that time is not dependent on human consciousness but is objectively defined.
  3. Embracing the B-Theory of time raises questions about the potential impact on human language and the truthfulness of statements.

Caplan's Definition of Feminism

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Feminism
  1. Feminism needs a clear definition to help people identify if they align with its principles.
  2. Common colloquial definitions of feminism are often trivial and fail to differentiate between feminists and non-feminists.
  3. Caplan's proposed definition of feminism is critiqued for not addressing the normative aspect of feminism and facing challenges in determining 'sufficient' prioritization of women's equality.

Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 1

Weekly Wisdom • 119 implied HN points • 04 May 23
📖 Philosophy Human condition Mortality Virtue ethics Ancient Wisdom
  1. Human existence is marked by a balance between living for the moment and planning for an uncertain future.
  2. The pursuit of material wealth and fame may lose appeal in the face of mortality, leading to a focus on benefiting others.
  3. A key aspect of human life is the quest to cultivate wisdom, virtue, and excellence, striving towards understanding what it means to be a good human being.

Reading the game

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 119 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Risk Uncertainty Decision-making Game Theory Innovation
  1. Most games are about taking risks rather than dealing with true uncertainty. In games, the rules and winning conditions are usually clear.
  2. Understanding the difference between risky situations and those filled with true uncertainty is important. Real-life problems, like climate change, involve a lot more unknowns.
  3. To get better at handling uncertainty, we should expose ourselves regularly to uncertain situations. This helps us learn and grow in a world that often feels unpredictable.

Chris Hedges: The Nature of Good and Evil

The Chris Hedges Report • 150 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Human nature Social Critique
  1. Everyone has the capacity for both good and evil within them. It's important to recognize this duality in ourselves and others.
  2. In tough times, we often see real kindness and humanity shine through. These moments remind us of the best parts of people.
  3. It's vital to critique power structures rather than fall into hatred for groups or individuals. Focusing on power allows for healthier discussions.
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Peter and the Basilisk

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy History Religion Technology Climate Politics
  1. Western cultures have a deep-rooted belief in prophecy, with expectations of history culminating in certain ways.
  2. Marx's economic theories remain relevant, but his prophetic visions of global communism are more an issue of faith than science.
  3. The clash between tech utopianism and eco-pessimism highlights how different ideologies shape views of the future, from Singularity to climate crisis.

The Soul of the Writer

Secretum Secretorum • 808 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Artificial Intelligence Psychology
  1. GPT-4 and other large language models reflect human writing but may not capture the essence or intelligence accurately.
  2. Not all writers represent the noblest minds; some may be loudmouths, self-aggrandizers, or attention-seekers.
  3. Human intelligence encompasses more than just abstract thought; AI could represent a less evolutionarily-optimized part of our minds.

The Pseudo-Science of Female Submission

Erik Examines • 134 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Feminism Gender Studies Ethics Social theory Evolutionary Psychology
  1. The idea that women are meant to be owned by men is based on old, false beliefs. It's an attempt to make a harmful view seem rational by using misleading arguments.
  2. Freedom and individual rights are usually seen as positive, but some people twist this idea to suggest that women shouldn't have autonomy. This is not based on science or truth, but rather a desire to maintain control.
  3. Claiming that society or the state owns women is a form of manipulation. Laws exist to protect individuals, not to enslave them, and everyone, regardless of gender, benefits from freedom and rights.

Nullius In Verba

Polymathic Being • 70 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Critical Thinking Logic Rationality Skepticism
  1. Always question the sources of information you receive. Don't just accept what others say; do your own research to find the truth.
  2. Balancing your emotions with rational thinking is important. Sometimes, our feelings can cloud our judgment when evaluating facts.
  3. Stay curious and be willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Embrace the idea that understanding can change and improve over time.

Tensions between different approaches to doing good

Understanding Social Change • 117 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Critical Thinking Values
  1. There are tensions between different approaches to doing good, like quantifying everything or embracing complexity.
  2. Quantifying impact is important to support evidence-based organizations for maximum effectiveness.
  3. However, focusing solely on quantifiable measures may overlook important indirect benefits, leading to a need for a balance between quantifiable and unquantifiable impacts.

Your Emotions Aren't Your Heart of Hearts

apxhard • 51 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Reasoning Psychology Family
  1. Your emotions are not the same as your true self. It's important to understand that feelings are just a part of you, not the whole you.
  2. Finding a balance between emotion and reason is key. When we connect our thinking and feeling, we can make better choices and understand ourselves more clearly.
  3. Family should be our main focus for values, not just individual desires. Caring for our family helps guide our emotions and decisions in a way that benefits everyone.

Disillusionment and Learning

The Memory Palace • 19 implied HN points • 28 May 24
📖 Philosophy Belief systems Learning Theory Cognitive Science Radicalization Behavioral Psychology
  1. People often join groups or movements for positive reasons, but they may leave due to internal issues that arise later on.
  2. When someone changes their beliefs, returning to previous beliefs is complicated and often not the same as before.
  3. Revisiting old beliefs or habits can be an active process rather than a passive one; it's about reaching back, not just slipping back into old patterns.

Making Sense of Consciousness Part 8: Summing Up

Rough Diamonds • 13 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Sentience Self Perception Language
  1. Consciousness involves three main ideas: noticing things, being awake, and having a sense of self. Noticing things is the most important part.
  2. Being conscious helps us make better choices by understanding our own abilities and how they relate to our environment. It allows us to be cautious when we need to be.
  3. Pain and pleasure are conscious experiences that help us react to situations, but it's possible to perceive injury without suffering from it. Consciousness can vary, and this is an important aspect of our understanding of sentience.

Just Don't Be Stupid

Polymathic Being • 65 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Self-help Critical Thinking Cognitive Science Stoicism Systems theory
  1. Inversion is about looking at problems from a different angle to avoid mistakes. Instead of just chasing success, think about what could go wrong and how to prevent it.
  2. Applying inversion helps in both technology and psychology by allowing us to see potential failures. This way, we can develop better solutions and reduce fear of the unknown.
  3. A key part of inversion is acknowledging negative outcomes. By thinking about what we dread and planning for it, we can manage life's ups and downs better.

The Reckoning of Time

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 708 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Time Modernity Ritual Existence
  1. Timekeeping has deep cultural roots and was originally intertwined with religious and social practices.
  2. Modernity saw a shift in the importance of timekeeping from a human endeavor to a machine-driven process.
  3. The modern expectation of universal and standardized participation in societal issues contrasts with the historical concept of individualized duties and roles.

You are not an end user

storyvoyager • 5 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Ethics Technology Politics Social theory Mind Existentialism
  1. Digital platforms harvest our data, work, and art as free goods and treat people mainly as end users whose purpose is to generate attention and purchases.
  2. Algorithms shape what we see and how we behave, pushing creativity toward sameness, turning relationships into transactions, and leaving people nostalgic and isolated.
  3. Without digital sovereignty—control and ownership of our digital selves—we become nodes in someone else’s infrastructure and risk losing agency and even physical freedom as technology advances.

The Integrity Objection to Utilitarianism

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 08 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Theory Critique Values
  1. Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness and minimizing pain, even if it means compromising personal integrity.
  2. The Integrity Objection argues that utilitarianism undervalues personal values, aspirations, and moral integrity, leading to unreasonable demands.
  3. Critics point out that utilitarianism may push individuals to act against their core values, showing flaws in the theory's approach to balancing consequences and personal integrity.

Plato

Classical Wisdom • 58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy
  1. Plato is considered a fundamental figure in Western philosophy.
  2. Aristotle, his student, held Plato in high regard.
  3. Alfred North Whitehead viewed Plato as a significant influence on Western philosophy.

Gilles Deleuze's Societies of Control

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Theory Existentialism Cultural critique Modernism
  1. Gilles Deleuze describes a shift from 'disciplinary societies,' which controlled individuals through strict boundaries, to 'societies of control,' where control is more fluid and ever-present. This means that instead of moving from one fixed environment to another, people are constantly being monitored and influenced.
  2. In societies of control, people never truly finish tasks; their work and identity are always intertwined. This blur of work and personal life can lead to stress and a feeling of never being able to disconnect.
  3. Deleuze suggests that in control societies, what's important isn't individual identity but rather the access one has, like passwords. Our personal information and identities are now tied to digital access, raising questions about autonomy and what it means to be an individual.

Talk with Philosophy Bear

Philosophy bear • 50 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Logic Metaphysics Epistemology Political theory
  1. The project involves creating a custom AI that expresses the author's views after writing extensively on many topics. The AI can provide insightful responses even on unfamiliar subjects.
  2. There is a second AI bot designed to explain left-wing ideas to those curious about them. This bot can debate and offer reading suggestions to help users understand different perspectives.
  3. Another bot, called Bear Bear, offers relaxation and motivation. It's meant to inspire people to connect and appreciate life despite challenges.

The channel (a teaser)

Philosophy bear • 57 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Logic Aesthetics Epistemology
  1. Having confidence and strength in your heart can attract positive attention from others, regardless of height.
  2. Your actions and personality can be more impressive than physical attributes, so focus on what makes you unique.
  3. Engaging with others and building connections can help you find the right partner, so don't forget to share and subscribe to ideas that inspire you.

Bare Existence

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Political theory Social Critique Work Culture Power Dynamics
  1. People in low-status jobs often experience 'bare existence,' where their work feels repetitive and lacking in connection. This can lead to a dehumanizing feeling in the work environment.
  2. Power isn't just about money or social class; it shapes how people experience their lives and work, often pushing them into roles that feel empty or robotic.
  3. The struggle for status in society can be brutal, as people fear being reduced to a state of 'bare existence,' leading them to chase power and privilege, even in jobs that don't truly fulfill them.

There are questions about our feelings not even God could determine

Philosophy bear • 185 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Epistemology Existentialism Interpretation
  1. People often see what they expect to see, which can lead them to notice negativity even when it’s not there. This can create a cycle that reinforces their negative beliefs.
  2. Our feelings and actions are complex and can be interpreted in many ways. This means that even if someone perceives an action as mean, it could also be seen as kind, depending on how it's interpreted.
  3. It's harmful to assume the worst about others because it can lead to feelings of pain and isolation. Sometimes, the bad interpretations we choose can make our lives harder than they need to be.

THE DAY IS COMING

Secretum Secretorum • 656 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Peace Dreams Society War Hope
  1. The idea of a world where war ceases to exist and people choose peace
  2. Exploring the concept of a peaceful 'plague' starting with a few individuals and spreading globally
  3. Encouraging the spread of a message of peace through grassroots whispers and subtle communication

The Philosopher's Tarot: Revolutionaries and Docile Bodies

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 24 May 24
📖 Philosophy Colonialism Revolution Identity Anti-Semitism Tolerance
  1. Violence can arise from large cultural gaps between colonized and colonizer cultures, making rational discourse challenging.
  2. History shows how oppressive ideologies can target marginalized groups like Jews from both colonialist and anti-colonialist perspectives.
  3. Advocating for pluralism and tolerance can serve as a bridge to facilitate understanding and positive change amidst oppressive dynamics.

The confusing battle of hard work and regret

Uneasy’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 23 May 24
📖 Philosophy Self-Improvement Motivation Mental health Work ethic
  1. It's important to push through hard work instead of giving in to life's distractions. Focusing on meaningful activities can help build a better future.
  2. Future regret can be a strong motivator. Being aware of what you don't want for your life can encourage you to take action now.
  3. Delayed gratification matters. Choosing to do things like reading or exercising instead of mindless scrolling can lead to more fulfilling outcomes.

The Hero as Flexible Bureaucrat

Nothing Human • 60 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Society Bureaucracy History Policy
  1. The hero figure has changed over time, and now it seems that a flexible bureaucrat who bends the rules can be seen as a modern hero, especially when their actions serve a human purpose.
  2. While strict bureaucracies can feel cold and unyielding, a more flexible approach allows for emotional connections and adaptability, which can lead to better outcomes for individuals.
  3. As technology advances, there's a concern that bureaucracies will become more efficient and powerful, but it's important to maintain flexibility in these systems to keep the human element alive.

Marx vs. Proudhon

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 119 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Reflections Teaching Political theory
  1. The author is starting a new class on Proudhon's 'The Philosophy of Poverty' and Marx's 'The Poverty of Philosophy'.
  2. The author reflects on having taught a class on 'Capital' and mentions skipping a YouTube chat with Stefan.
  3. The author reminisces about teaching their first class, 'Introduction to Symbolic Logic', at Western Michigan University in fall 2004.

Just Don't Do It: The Hidden Virtues of Quitting

OK Doomer • 144 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Decision-making Existentialism Cultural critique Psychology
  1. Quitting can be a tough decision, but sometimes it's the right one. It takes strength and discipline to walk away from something that isn't working out.
  2. Many people struggle with the idea of quitting due to societal pressure to always push forward. Learning when to stop can lead to a healthier mindset and better choices.
  3. The fear of stopping or changing paths can lead to bigger issues in society, such as unrealistic expectations for endless growth. It's okay to aim for balance and recognize when to take a step back.