The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

The Wisdom of Yoram Hazony

Kvetch • 45 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Political theory Ethics Religion Nationalism
  1. Yoram Hazony emphasizes the importance of family and God in shaping a strong community. He believes that our obligations to these entities form the core of social and political life.
  2. He argues against the idea that society can be neutral or that we can choose our loyalties freely. According to Hazony, many of our commitments, like family and nation, are inherited and essential for a stable society.
  3. Hazony highlights that politics can be messy and sometimes requires difficult choices, including violence, to protect a community. He believes having a shared moral compass rooted in faith is crucial for guiding these tough decisions.

Color

Rocket Philosophy by Ian • 78 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Happiness Pain Experience Connection Meaning
  1. Don't prioritize only being happy or 'chill', embrace pain and discomfort for a more meaningful life.
  2. Seeking out pain can lead to experiencing unimagined joys like connection and creation.
  3. Unique pains shape our personality and provide value, while shared pains foster understanding and community.

Anti-Abortion Violence

Going Awol • 79 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Abortion Violence Personhood
  1. Pro-life advocates oppose anti-abortion violence both for pragmatic reasons (it hurts the movement's credibility) and moral reasons (killing is not pro-life).
  2. Defending anti-abortion violence creates philosophical dilemmas for both pro-life and pro-choice views, challenging beliefs about the moral standing of unborn children and the ethics of killing.
  3. The debate on anti-abortion violence raises questions about the permissibility of killing abortion providers in extreme hypothetical scenarios and challenges traditional beliefs about right to life and justifiable actions.

Feminism and Identity in the Transhuman Age

Reactionary Feminist • 14 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Feminism Identity Technology Ethics Metaphysics
  1. Feminism today is complex and needs to focus on women's specific needs as individuals in the face of technology. It's about recognizing women as unique beings with different interests, not just fitting them into broad victim categories.
  2. The idea of 'identity' has shifted from a deep, meaningful concept to something more superficial. It's no longer just about who we are at our core but has become tied to how we present ourselves in the digital world.
  3. Technology has drastically changed how we see each other and ourselves, treating humans as resources rather than unique individuals. This perspective encourages a dangerous trend where we try to redesign or 'improve' humanity like we would with machines.

It's all meaningless, isn't it?

antoniomelonio • 122 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Absurdism Meaning Reality Human condition
  1. In the grand scheme of things, it feels like nothing really matters. We worry about politics, work, and daily stress, but eventually, everything fades away into nothing.
  2. Life has its importance even if it seems meaningless. Our experiences, connections with people, and finding purpose give our brief existence value.
  3. We often ignore the truth about life's futility, but accepting it can lead to better choices about what truly matters to us. Living in the moment and seeking real experiences can be more fulfilling.
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Building Forward

Anima Mundi • 61 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Aesthetics Metaphysics Social theory
  1. Focus on creating with care and intention, rather than urgency or scarcity. It's about honoring what truly matters to you.
  2. Instead of trying to grow fast and break things, think about how you can nourish and tend to what you create. Building should be about growth, not destruction.
  3. Take your time to build something meaningful. It's important to create with presence and to find joy in the slow process, not just chase after more.

Why Cynics Were Dogs

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 18 May 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Cosmology Religion Epistemology
  1. Different beings perceive the world differently based on their 'umwelt', which shapes their unique view of reality.
  2. Diogenes, a philosopher, emphasized the interconnectedness of all matter and challenged the concept of intrinsic essence.
  3. Dogs, considered cynics, navigate the world primarily through scent, highlighting a continuous reasoning method distinct from discrete human reasoning.

Why Philosophy Is Not An Option

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Self-reflection Hedonism Existentialism Self-Actualization
  1. Philosophy is not just a rarefied activity - it's about the basis informing our decisions and can be seen as a life operating system.
  2. Our default philosophy often revolves around seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, but self-reflection can help in moving towards more conscious decision-making.
  3. Understanding our hypocricy quotient - the gap between our beliefs and actions - can lead to deeper self-awareness and satisfaction in life.

Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 2

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Philosophy Ethics Religion Traditions
  1. The project aims to explore the convergence and divergence of different traditions and schools of thought to understand cultural breadth.
  2. Traditional systems of thought that have endured for centuries hold value and merit consideration alongside modern perspectives.
  3. Comparative soteriology analyzes the ideals and aims of various religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions, offering insights into different paths to attainment.

Dialogues on Psychophysical Harmony, Part 2

Going Awol • 159 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Naturalism Evolution Theism
  1. Merely positing that the psychophysical laws are necessary doesn't predict psychophysical harmony - a theory needs to predict the actual data to be less surprising.
  2. The theory that the laws of physics are necessary and give rise to specific outcomes, like psychophysical harmony, can make the theory vanishingly improbable due to low prior probabilities.
  3. Evolutionary theory addressing psychophysical harmony might overlook the possibility that it could have not been selected for due to limitations in psychophysical laws.

What I've Been Reading | June 2023

Caleb’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue ethics
  1. The book 'Learning to Live Naturally' by Chris Gill explores Stoic philosophy and the importance of virtue ethics.
  2. Confucius's 'Analects' is a profound work that provides valuable insights into life and human behavior.
  3. Both Stoicism and Confucianism emphasize the importance of moral virtue and living in harmony with nature.

Personal Grief Creates Heroes. Collective Grief Creates Revolutions

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 98 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Spirituality Adversity Grief Revolution
  1. Personal grief is often an individual experience, and it can be uniquely isolating, but it can also strengthen us as we navigate through it alone.
  2. Adversity, whether from personal loss or external challenges like tyranny, can be faced with practical steps that bring order to chaos, making us stronger and more capable.
  3. Collective grief, experienced together during challenging times, can lead to a shared resilience and solidarity that can fuel movements and revolutions.

The Truth Factories

Antimaterie • 98 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Truth Free speech Credibility
  1. Dictatorships rely on fabricating new realities through 'truth factories' rather than just repression.
  2. Reality is shaped by invisible 'Reality Validation Institutions' that validate what we consider real and true.
  3. To safeguard against fabricated realities and maintain truth, protect free speech and uphold personal credibility values.

A map of my ignorance: Technostrategy and technofeudalism

Philosophy bear • 135 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Politics Technology Labor Economics Society
  1. Many jobs, especially those in offices, could be replaced by AI soon. This change might make it hard for workers to find jobs and could create a big gap in wealth between those who benefit from AI and those who don't.
  2. Workers may start resisting these changes as jobs disappear. How this resistance plays out depends on the speed of job loss and the workers' ability to unite against it.
  3. The future of work will also depend on political reactions to AI. There might be new political groups forming to oppose AI advancements, reshaping how society views labor and automation.

When "yang" goes wrong

Joe Carlsmith's Substack • 58 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Power Dynamics Moral dilemmas Metaethics
  1. The article discusses the connection between deep atheism and the desire for control, particularly in the context of AI risk.
  2. It explores the theme of power-seeking and control in rationalist and accelerationist ideologies.
  3. There is a cautionary tone about the risks and potential negative consequences of power-seeking and wanting too much control over the future.

The machines will never be our overlords

storyvoyager • 6 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Ethics Power Human nature Values Tech Ethics Intelligence
  1. Intelligence is whatever helps people achieve their human goals, so it’s judged by how well it serves human purposes.
  2. Machines won’t become our overlords; power will still be exercised by other humans who use intelligence as a tool.
  3. In today’s society the main human aim is accumulating and preserving material wealth, followed by the desire to enjoy that wealth for as long as possible.

A Dream in Search of its Ego

Boltzmann Soul • 19 implied HN points • 14 May 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Consciousness Existence
  1. The concept of Boltzmann brain suggests that a brain could randomly form from universe fluctuations.
  2. The idea that all phenomena could be the universe's attempt to understand itself sparks intriguing parallels with various philosophies.
  3. Exploration of topics like technology, science, wine, and finance can lead to uncovering wonders in seemingly random subjects.

A Welcome to New Subscribers

Mind & Mythos • 199 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology Humanities Personality Mythology
  1. Psychology connects many fields, and the author sees it as a mix of art and science. This blend leads to a better understanding of the human mind.
  2. The blog focuses on personality psychology, which ties together different areas of psychology. It's a way to explore how personality influences behavior and thoughts.
  3. The author plans to publish at least one essay each month and share shorter posts when inspired. Readers can find a guide to the content on the About page.

Values Over Victory: Why We Should Prioritize Exemplifying Our Values Over Winning/Losing

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Values Existentialism Social Change Ethics
  1. Contemporary politics often focuses on superficial party affiliations and short-term gains rather than deeper values and societal changes.
  2. It's crucial to prioritize living by our values over just seeking victory, as values like justice and love are what truly bring about social progress.
  3. Making a difference involves embodying our core values consistently, even in the face of setbacks, and recognizing that our actions should reflect our beliefs.

The Will to Order - Rise and Fall of the Neuralink Society

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Society Human nature Political theory
  1. People naturally seek order to make sense of the chaotic world around them. This need for structure helps us feel secure but can also lead to negative consequences if taken too far.
  2. In societies with strict rules, such as Japan, people often experience high rates of depression and suicide. Too much order can suffocate creativity and individuality.
  3. Totalitarian systems, driven by an extreme need for order, can reduce people to machines. They strip away freedom and the essence of being human, leading to a soulless existence.

Despite never having done anything wrong, I've found myself living in Canberra. Any of my readers who live in here are invited to drop me a line, meet and commiserate.

Philosophy bear • 114 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Epistemology Logic Political theory
  1. The writer is living in Canberra, even though they feel they haven't done anything wrong. They seem to have mixed feelings about their situation.
  2. They invite local readers to reach out and meet up. This shows they want to connect with others and share experiences.
  3. There's a hint of humor and self-reflection in their words. They are trying to make the best of the situation they find themselves in.

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.

Bring Me Your Leader

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 364 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Authority Authoritarianism Power Dynamics Human Interaction
  1. In our modern world, there is a trend of continuous judging and assessing everything we interact with.
  2. Having difficult conversations directly with individuals can be more effective than immediately seeking higher authorities.
  3. The desire for a 'real leader' can create anxiety in various aspects of life, including politics and daily interactions.

Problems of Unbounded Scope

Bzogramming • 53 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Epistemology Metaphysics Logic
  1. Engineers sometimes think they've solved big problems by finding simpler versions of them. It's important to remember that many complex issues are far from truly solved.
  2. Searching for knowledge can be more effective through random discovery rather than specific queries. Exploring things like Wikipedia can lead to unexpected and valuable insights.
  3. Our understanding of problems is limited, and many challenges we face today will seem small in the future. It's crucial to stay open to new ideas and not assume hard problems are fully resolved.

Embrace the plateau

Wednesday Wisdom • 151 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Self-discovery Life lessons Personal Growth Mastery Emotional Health
  1. The plateau in life is a normal phase where you might feel stuck, but it's also the time you really start mastering skills. Instead of rushing through it, take it as an opportunity to deepen your understanding.
  2. As you age, your energy and focus shift, making it essential to choose where you invest your effort wisely. It's okay to slow down and be strategic about your goals.
  3. Recognizing the limits of your abilities can help you embrace the plateau and focus on refining what you already know, rather than constantly seeking new challenges.

What We Remember and What We Forget When We Forgive

The Memory Palace • 1 HN point • 10 Sep 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Cognition Memory Justice Emotions
  1. Forgiveness can change how we feel about bad memories. People may remember the details, but the anger and hurt can lessen over time.
  2. Just because someone forgives doesn't mean they forget the event. They can still remember what happened without feeling the same pain or desire for revenge.
  3. Research shows that forgiveness mainly affects the emotional parts of memories. This means that even when we remember a bad event, we can feel less upset about it.

Me vs Huemer

David Friedman’s Substack • 341 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Ethics Logic Bias Experts
  1. Consider forming opinions on controversial issues based on evaluating arguments rather than just trusting the experts
  2. Experts may not always have expertise in all aspects of an issue, so it's important to critically evaluate their arguments and not just rely on their authority
  3. It's crucial to judge both arguments and arguers, as bias and incentives can influence the opinions of experts in controversial topics

A few rough, random and spicy thoughts on crime, justice and justice systems that I've been chewing over

Philosophy bear • 135 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Justice Ethics Crime Social Issues Rehabilitation
  1. Even people who commit serious crimes deserve some understanding and support. They shouldn't be completely cut off from social connections because it can hurt their chances of rehabilitation.
  2. It's important to differentiate between punishing someone for their actions and recognizing that they could still be a part of the community. Sometimes, society pushes people away too harshly, making forgiveness seem impossible.
  3. There should be protections against unfair convictions, even when laws seem clear. If a reasonable person thinks a conviction is unjust, there should be a way to challenge it in court.

The Free Will Debate Is Dead, but It Shambles On

American Dreaming • 123 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Free will Determinism Compatibilism Ethics Metaphysics
  1. The debate over free will is mostly settled among thinkers, with most agreeing it doesn't exist as we traditionally think. We're influenced by many outside factors we can't control, which affects our actions and decisions.
  2. Many people feel they have free will, but this belief doesn't necessarily reflect the reality of how our minds work. Most academics lean towards compatibilism, which tries to redefine free will to fit our experiences.
  3. Understanding that free will might not exist can actually lead to a kinder society. It helps us see people's actions in context, promoting better ways of handling crime and punishment without the harshness that comes from believing everyone is fully responsible.

How to Protect What’s Real

Anima Mundi • 61 implied HN points • 24 May 25
📖 Philosophy Relationships Mindfulness Values
  1. To protect what’s real, focus on nurturing and caring for it instead of trying to control it. It's about staying near and paying attention.
  2. Good relationships and valuable things need ongoing effort and kindness, not just occasional attention. It's the small daily choices that keep them alive.
  3. Sometimes, what we call 'protection' is actually fear. Instead of building walls, we should check in and listen to what truly needs our presence.

Upheaval Interview: Matthew B. Crawford

The Upheaval • 617 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Self-governance Authority Ethics Technocracy
  1. The work of Matthew B. Crawford focuses on understanding the world and suggesting concrete ways to live in it.
  2. Crawford's book 'The World Beyond Your Head' delves into themes like attention, distraction, tradition, and reclaiming the real
  3. Crawford's analysis highlights a shift towards an inward-focused liberal self, leading to conflict aversion, reliance on experts, and potential risks to self-governance and democracy