The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

Elephant Riding

Polymathic Being • 104 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Logic Cognition Emotion Human behavior
  1. We balance emotions and reason like an elephant and a rider. The elephant represents our feelings, which often drive our decisions more than we think.
  2. Relying only on logic can lead to problems. Emotions help us make decisions, and without them, we might struggle with even simple choices.
  3. To make better decisions, we should understand our emotions and how they influence us. This means taking time to think things through and checking if our feelings align with reality.

Being Good by "Going to Hell"?

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
📖 Philosophy Ethics Wisdom Morality Integrity
  1. Being good requires conscious effort and intentional action, contrary to the belief that being bad takes more effort.
  2. Moral goodness is seen as an achievement by philosophers like Buddha and Aristotle, emphasizing the importance of developing virtuous habits.
  3. Challenging societal norms or beliefs, even when faced with ignorance or disapproval, is crucial for genuine moral integrity and often requires disobedience.

Are Power and Freedom Opposites?

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Political theory Metaphysics Personal Reflection
  1. Power and freedom can feel like opposite forces. Gaining power often comes with more responsibilities, which can limit personal freedom.
  2. Many people are drawn to power thinking it will give them more freedom, but once they have power, they may find themselves feeling trapped by it.
  3. Truly being free might mean understanding power, achieving it, and then being able to let it go or not being overly attached to it.

An Integral Perspective, Part 1

Weekly Wisdom • 59 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy States Types
  1. Integral theory aims to synthesize all human disciplines into a meta-theory bridging spirituality and science, developed by Ken Wilber.
  2. Key elements of integral theory include Quadrants, Levels, Lines, States, and Types, each addressing different dimensions of human experience and development.
  3. The Quadrants component of integral theory encourages openness to diverse perspectives, contributing to increased empathy and understanding through analyzing human disciplines by various viewpoints.
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jacking themselves off in outer space, forever

Banana Peel Pirouette • 59 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Metaphysics Ethics Science
  1. Both mystical and technological prophecies of salvation cater to common human desires for happiness, beauty, health, and self-improvement.
  2. Futurists present a secularized version of salvation through technological advancements, citing historical progress and scientific advancements as evidence for a utopian future.
  3. The idea of eternal bliss and immortality is being reimagined in futurism as a vision of humanity evolving into advanced beings existing in a digital, self-indulgent form in outer space.

On Differentiation

Autoscriptorium • 59 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Self Consciousness Identity
  1. Understanding differentiation of self is complex and challenging, with the concept of a unified consciousness being debated in modern philosophy.
  2. In certain environments, individuals may suppress their ego and hide their true selves for self-preservation, sometimes avoiding standing out to maintain a sense of security.
  3. The existence of one's 'I' is questioned in a world where many people shape the surroundings, leaving individuals to ponder the significance of their own identity.

Goddesses, Chrysalises and the Destiny of the West

What's Important? • 36 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Consciousness Mysticism Transformation Science
  1. Sound and vibration are more important than we often think. They play a big role in understanding life and our place in the universe.
  2. The idea of the 'divine feminine' is about reconnecting with wisdom and nurturing aspects of ourselves. This can lead to a more hopeful future for everyone.
  3. New technologies may help heal and bring us together. But we need to be careful with how we use them to ensure they promote safety and connection, not division.

No Need For Profit

Black Lodges • 58 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Innovation
  1. The internet was originally intended for decentralized communication and information exchange, not profit.
  2. Questioning the belief that a profit-driven economic model guarantees progress and innovation.
  3. Greed is not a definitive trait of human nature, and alternative motivators for innovation exist beyond profit, such as public good and intrinsic motivation.

A Tentative Manifesto for the Future of Organizations—3

Pluriversal Planet • 58 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Imagination Creativity Narratives
  1. The current system of incentives and structures perpetuates negative sum games and unsustainable practices.
  2. Organizations need to prioritize building capacities for collective imagination to create a flourishing future.
  3. Imagination is a powerful force that challenges oppression, and it is essential for envisioning and creating new narratives.

Why dream?

Nick Merrill • 58 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Dreams Consciousness Technology Spirituality
  1. Ancient beliefs about dreams varied - some thought they were divine visitations, others viewed them as projections of the unconscious.
  2. Modern computational theories of dreaming focus on adaptiveness and imagination, suggesting dreams help learning and problem-solving.
  3. Computational accounts of dreams may overlook the importance of reflective consciousness in understanding the mind.

The Drowning Billionaires and the Expanding Circle

Confidence Interval • 58 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality
  1. Some people find it immoral for billionaires to pay large sums for luxury experiences when the money could be used to do good elsewhere.
  2. The concept of Effective Altruism emphasizes the idea of making sacrifices to help those in need, even if it means forgoing luxury experiences.
  3. Expanding our circle of sympathy to understand and respect different ways people choose to spend their money is important.

The only path to transmit knowledge

Mon0’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Logic Ethics Methodology
  1. STEM fields believe knowledge should follow a clear path: define terms, state propositions, and verify them. It's all about structure and clarity.
  2. Philosophers often use complicated language, which can make their ideas hard to understand. This creates a gap between STEM and humanities, where definitions aren't always clear.
  3. Some writers may choose to be vague or complex to engage readers or seem profound. However, this can confuse people instead of helping them learn.

More on Altruism

David Friedman’s Substack • 80 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Altruism Theories Economics
  1. People don't always act the way we expect when it comes to charity. For example, if you get a raise, you might donate more, but real donors often don't follow this theory and may change their donations based on their feelings instead.
  2. Folk songs often show a preference for marrying for beauty over wealth, suggesting that beauty is seen as noble. However, this often creates tension and even tragedy in the story, revealing complex social dynamics.
  3. Being in love might be related to altruism since loving someone can lead to wanting what’s best for them. But love can also involve mixed feelings, which makes it unclear how altruism plays a role in romantic relationships.

No, evolutionary theory does not justify your worst political nightmare

Optimally Irrational • 79 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Evolution Psychology Social theory Politics Ethics
  1. Evolutionary theory doesn't support any specific political ideology, even though some people misuse it for their own agendas. It's important to focus on the science itself without letting politics influence our understanding.
  2. While evolution can seem harsh, it also highlights the importance of cooperation. Our ability to work together is key to our success as a species, not just competition.
  3. Misunderstanding evolutionary ideas can lead to false claims about human behavior, such as justifying sexism or selfishness. Recognizing the facts of evolution can help us build better societies that account for human nature.

Football Manager- A philosophical look at gaming

Theory Matters • 9 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Gaming Simulation Identity Culture
  1. Football Manager isn't just a game; it's a way for people to escape reality and create deep connections with its world. Gamers can find meaning and identity in their virtual experiences.
  2. There is a strong relationship between games and real life, where rules and challenges in games reflect those in our everyday lives. This makes simulations, like Football Manager, feel more significant than just entertainment.
  3. The recent changes in Football Manager, focusing more on graphics and less on deep gameplay, may be losing the essence of what made it engaging. Simplifying the game can make it less immersive, affecting how players relate to it.

Ask Bear anything

Philosophy bear • 64 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Epistemology Logic Aesthetics
  1. Subscribers can ask questions while everyone can read the answers. This makes it more inclusive and fair.
  2. There are two ways to get answers: one from the author and another one from Bear. You just need to mention which one you prefer.
  3. The system is based on honor, meaning the author trusts those asking questions without subscriptions are doing so because they can't afford it.

Talking Points Are Really "Demons"

Tessa Fights Robots • 23 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Mind Control Energy Human behavior
  1. Talking points can affect people's minds deeply, making them feel misunderstood unless their viewpoint is echoed back to them. This shows a disconnect from true understanding.
  2. The idea of 'demons' here refers to negative thoughts or feelings that can take hold of people and influence their beliefs and actions, often fueled by external pressures and society's narratives.
  3. Being true to oneself and sharing original thoughts is important, as many people might feel pressured to conform to popular opinions or 'demons.' It's essential to be brave and express your unique voice.

Reading philosophy for the examples

Overthinking Everything • 419 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Examples Analogies Human experience
  1. Reading philosophy books can offer stellar examples that stand out and make you think beyond the theories presented.
  2. The examples in philosophy books can be more memorable and impactful than conceptual tools, helping to anchor thoughts and ideas in a relatable context.
  3. Stories in philosophy books, rich with human experiences, can provide valuable insights and prompts for reflection on ethical dilemmas and thought processes.

Murray Rothbard on Me and Vice Versa

David Friedman’s Substack • 269 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Libertarianism Legal Philosophy Moral Philosophy
  1. Murray Rothbard criticized support for government as an intellectual mistake, highlighting his approach to argument in libertarianism.
  2. Disagreement with Rothbard on producing libertarian law in an anarcho-capitalist society due to differing views on law development and enforcement.
  3. Rothbard and Ayn Rand shared similar styles and approaches in their political views despite disagreements, with Rothbard eventually satirizing Rand in a play.

Naming risky situations

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 99 implied HN points • 03 May 23
📖 Philosophy Decision-making Uncertainty Epistemology
  1. The term 'risk' is often misunderstood and misused. Many people think it means a situation where we know some things but don't know the outcome, even though true risk is much rarer.
  2. Decision-making strategies designed for formal risk scenarios may not work well in real-life situations, which often involve many unknowns. This can lead to poor choices when we apply the wrong approach.
  3. Different people define 'risk' in various ways, which creates confusion in communication. It’s important to clarify what we mean when we talk about risk to make better decisions.

Is capitalism making you lonely?

inexactscience • 2 HN points • 13 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Capitalism Loneliness Social Science Economic Theory Well-being
  1. There is a loneliness epidemic seen around the world, and some people think capitalism might be contributing to it.
  2. Research shows a moderate negative relationship between economic freedom and loneliness. When economic freedom increases, loneliness tends to decrease.
  3. While there are arguments that capitalism could increase loneliness, such as encouraging long working hours and individualism, the data suggests that capitalism, in fact, may help reduce feelings of loneliness.

In Praise of Passivity

Fake Noûs • 277 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Values Rationality Social theory
  1. History shows that solutions without proper knowledge often do more harm than good.
  2. Public ignorance and the dismissal of expert advice are major obstacles in policymaking.
  3. Rational ignorance, lack of clear motives, and the complexity of social issues contribute to our inability to effectively address societal problems.

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.

Approaching the wood

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 119 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Human experience
  1. Not-knowing is something we all deal with, but it can be seen as a chance to learn and grow rather than just a problem to handle. Embracing not-knowing can lead to better outcomes.
  2. When working with materials like wood, we can either try to eliminate imperfections or learn to work with them to enhance our final product. This approach can lead to more unique and lively creations.
  3. The way we handle uncertainty in life can be similar to how we deal with materials. Instead of seeing constraints as negative, we can view them as opportunities to creatively adapt and improve.