The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

The State

Fake Noûs • 342 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy Authority Utilitarianism Fairness Social contract Anarchism
  1. The problem of authority in political philosophy questions the basis for political legitimacy and obligation.
  2. The Utilitarian Account suggests the state's authority comes from providing social order, but doesn't explain unnecessary laws.
  3. Anarchism challenges the notion of state authority, advocating for minimal coercive activities and privatization of necessary government functions.

Kintsugi: The Art of Mending

Polymathic Being • 80 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Cognitive Bias Relationships Cultural Insights
  1. Kintsugi is a Japanese art of mending broken things with gold, which symbolizes that beauty can come from flaws and imperfections. It teaches us that just because something is broken doesn't mean it's worthless.
  2. This concept can be applied to relationships, where misunderstandings or conflicts can lead to fractures. By acknowledging and repairing these issues together, relationships can become even more valuable.
  3. To apply Kintsugi in relationships, you need to be open to understanding your biases, carefully listen to others, and work towards forgiveness and growth. It's a process that requires ongoing effort and care.

Moving the goal posts

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 29 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Logic Language Metaphysics Ontology Epistemology
  1. People often change the rules of a debate when they don't like the outcome. This is called 'moving the goalposts' and it can be tricky.
  2. Arguments about concepts like 'understanding' or 'identity' can become confusing if everyone doesn't agree on what those terms mean.
  3. Instead of arguing over vague definitions, it's better to focus on how we use those terms in real situations and have clear discussions when definitions are necessary.

Masters and Slaves in a Postmodern World

Based Meditations • 39 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Power Dynamics Morality Conformity
  1. Slavery still exists in various forms globally, despite the perception of modern advancement and democracy.
  2. Strong willpower and autonomy are essential for true freedom and independence, rather than relying on external systems or powers.
  3. Power dynamics, such as master-slave relationships, exist not just in human systems but also in nature and the cosmos, shaping our societal structures and interactions.

Letter to Future Dissidents

Tessa Fights Robots • 35 implied HN points • 27 May 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Social theory Spirituality Human behavior
  1. Being a dissident can feel lonely because you see things that others don't. It's tough when you want to fit in but feel different from everyone around you.
  2. Sometimes, when you start speaking your truth, you might find that the world doesn't want to hear it. It can be disappointing when your insights aren't accepted right away.
  3. In the fight for freedom and truth, you may face betrayal from those you trust. It's important to stay true to your values and keep going, even when things get tough.
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When Your Map Doesn't Match Reality

Good Reason • 227 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Logic Hypocrisy Maps Bias
  1. Regardless of how well you know a situation, remember your knowledge is just a map and not reality itself.
  2. Be cautious of projecting your biases onto situations to force them to fit your preconceived notions.
  3. Acknowledging and being aware of your own potential biases can help prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Steelmanning Polytheism

Going Awol • 79 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Composition Metaphysics
  1. The argument for polytheism can be strengthened by philosophical concepts like the Unrestricted Modal Ontological Argument and Unrestricted Composition.
  2. Unrestricted Composition theory explains the concept of objects being composed by multiple concrete objects, supporting the idea of a collection of Gods in polytheism.
  3. Objections to polytheism, such as issues with the maximal greatness and intrinsic value of multiple Gods, can be addressed through philosophical reasoning and alternative perspectives.

Aella: In defence of a birthday girl

Philosophy bear • 185 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existence Morality Values Meaning
  1. Many criticize Aella for her promiscuous sex life, but it's essential to understand differing views on sexuality and values.
  2. Aella challenges traditional norms by living authentically and making unconventional choices, aiming to achieve her own goals instead of following societal scripts.
  3. Aella's approach to sex involves exploring different facets of eroticism, like performatively de-eroticizing sex to intensify its significance and linking it with scientific exploration.

The Philosopher Made For TV

From the New World • 75 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political theory Media Studies Cultural criticism Social justice
  1. John Rawls introduced the idea of the 'Veil of Ignorance', which suggests that true justice comes from understanding what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. This concept gained popularity with the rise of television, which allowed people to experience others' lives vicariously.
  2. Television's storytelling created a false sense of understanding between people, making them feel connected to different lives. However, these narratives were often crafted and not authentic representations of reality.
  3. The rise of social media changed the game by giving real, diverse opinions from actual people, breaking down the 'Veil of Ignorance'. Now, individuals can see the real differences among people's values and experiences, making it clear that everyone is unique.

Why we should look for the good reasons behind our behaviour

Optimally Irrational • 77 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Cognitive Science Evolutionary Psychology Decision-making Behavioral Economics Human behavior
  1. Understanding our behavior is important because it's not just random; it comes from a long history of survival and adaptation. We should look for reasons behind our choices instead of labeling them as irrational.
  2. Historically, research has focused a lot on cognitive biases, making it seem like humans are mostly flawed thinkers. Now, there's a shift towards recognizing our mental processes can also be adaptively efficient.
  3. Many behaviors that seem like mistakes may actually be smart solutions given the complex decisions we face. It's better to explore the reasons behind behaviors to find their potential usefulness.

Coalitions are everywhere

Optimally Irrational • 62 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Game Theory Social Psychology Coalitions Human behavior Evolutionary Theory
  1. Coalitions are important in human life. We often need to work together for defense, support, and to achieve bigger goals than we could alone.
  2. People really care about their social groups and belonging. Feeling excluded from a group can make us anxious or upset.
  3. Our reputation matters a lot in coalitions. How others see us can affect our ability to make friends or succeed in groups.

Mapping Problems

David Friedman’s Substack • 215 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Law
  1. Many problems arise when trying to map continuous variables to binary responses.
  2. Arbitrary lines are often drawn to simplify complex issues, which may not always reflect reality.
  3. In legal and moral systems, certainty plays a significant role in determining guilt and punishment.

Patience

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 6 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Virtues Patience Relationships Investing Self-Improvement
  1. Patience is an important virtue that can help you manage frustrating situations better. Instead of getting angry, try to remind yourself that you can wait and things will likely work out in the end.
  2. In both investing and personal relationships, being patient often leads to better outcomes. Rushing things usually creates more stress and can stall progress.
  3. When faced with difficulties, remember that things won't last forever. It's okay to feel pain but focusing on the present can help you get through tough times more easily.

The aim of maximising happiness is doomed to fail as a public policy

Optimally Irrational • 79 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Utilitarianism Happiness Public Policy Ethics Cognitive Science
  1. Aiming to make everyone happy through public policy might not work. Happiness is not a simple thing that can just be increased.
  2. People adapt to their situations quickly, which means that any increase in happiness usually fades back to a normal level. This makes it hard to keep happiness growing over time.
  3. Happiness is often more about feeling good in the moment than about long-term goals. People might even choose challenging paths because they bring deeper satisfaction, rather than just chasing fleeting feelings of joy.

A Global Human Consciousness?

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Humanity Technology Culture Nature
  1. The concept of a global human consciousness, although seemingly unlikely amidst current world issues, has been a topic for centuries and may have significant impacts on our understanding of humanity.
  2. Advancements in technology, such as AI, could potentially play a role in facilitating connections and common values across societies, but it also poses risks and challenges.
  3. Humanity is evolving towards a greater awareness of our interconnectedness with nature and all living beings, suggesting a potential shift towards a more unified and conscious global perspective.

DRAFT: Five Afterthoughts on "Slouching Towards Utopia": Friedrich von Hayek, Michael Polanyi, & Company...

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 84 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Political Economy Moral Philosophy Economic History
  1. The work in political economy and moral philosophy from the 1900s often comes from thinkers connected to the Vienna Circle. Their ideas shaped modern views in these fields.
  2. Natural issues like global warming and resource scarcity greatly impacted the economy throughout the 20th century. It's important to consider these environmental factors when studying economic history.
  3. Understanding different authors and theories, especially those related to socialism and welfare states, helps us grasp the changes in economic growth and social democracy since the late 19th century. Their insights remain relevant today.

commentary on xunzi's "enriching the state"

alice maz • 58 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Political theory Eastern philosophy Human nature
  1. Xunzi believed in the importance of hierarchy and meritocracy. He thought that the best people should lead, regardless of their birth or wealth, and that learning and self-improvement are key to being a good person.
  2. He argued that society needs clear distinctions and roles to function well. When everyone is equal in authority, it can cause chaos, so having a system with recognized roles helps maintain order.
  3. Xunzi felt that the government should help enrich its people, not just take resources from them. A successful state should create conditions for abundance, making the population better off overall.

News Cycle Yo-Yo and Eternal Soul

Tessa Fights Robots • 23 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Mindfulness
  1. Don't let the news control your feelings and opinions. It's important to think for yourself and not get swept up in the constant changes in the news cycle.
  2. We are more than just our physical bodies; we are eternal beings with the power to create our own reality. Focusing on this can help us navigate through difficult times.
  3. The challenges we face can be seen as opportunities for growth and understanding. Instead of getting frustrated with the world, we can find ways to bring positivity and change from within.

The Illegible Real

What Is Called Thinking? • 53 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Epistemology Wisdom Education Metaphysics
  1. Tacit knowledge, or understanding gained from experience, is very important and can't always be explained by rules or theories. It's like how a farmer knows their land or a musician feels the right moment to improvise.
  2. The world often values what can be measured and categorized, but this can miss the deeper, lived knowledge that guides real-life decisions. There's more to learning than just reading books or following formal education.
  3. In a future filled with data and technology, the ability to mix both formal knowledge and experiential wisdom will be really valuable. It's important to recognize the strengths and limitations of both types of knowledge.

Sustainability

David Friedman’s Substack • 278 implied HN points • 18 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Sustainability Policy Consequences
  1. Sustainability may not be a practical goal if it means continuing our present activities indefinitely.
  2. Defining sustainability based on future needs is challenging due to uncertainties and differing interpretations.
  3. The concept of sustainability can be manipulated to support any policy, which hinders meaningful discussions about future generations.

Happiness and the pursuit of a good and meaningful life

Optimally Irrational • 79 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Happiness Meaning of life Ethics Well-being Existentialism
  1. Happiness is more than just pleasure. It's about living a good life that includes strong relationships and a sense of purpose.
  2. We often face trade-offs in life, like choosing between immediate pleasures and long-term goals. Balancing these can lead to greater life satisfaction.
  3. Finding meaning in life often comes from contributing to others and building connections, rather than just chasing personal happiness.

Adding Color and Sound to the Tetractys

WaveGuide • 2 HN points • 07 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Epistemology Cosmology Ethics Aesthetics
  1. The Tetractys is a triangle with ten points that symbolizes harmony and universal relationships in music and nature. Its structure can help us understand connections between numbers, colors, and sounds.
  2. By visually organizing numbers using hexagons, we can see patterns in music and color. For example, numbers that are next to each other in the Tetractys relate to musical intervals like octaves and fifths.
  3. Adding color and sound to the Tetractys creates a deeper understanding of how music and visual art interconnect. This idea suggests that everything in the universe has a rhythm and can be related through these patterns.

The Vice of Crappy Moralism

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Judgment Social media Gossip
  1. Social media often invites us to judge others, but we may not truly know the whole story.
  2. Crappy moralizing involves gossiping, invading privacy, piling on attacks, and seeking a false sense of superiority.
  3. There are times when moral judgment is necessary, like addressing mistreatment or evaluating public officials, but excessive moralizing may not be helpful.

Dishonest Words

David Friedman’s Substack • 170 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Language Ethics Logic Rhetoric Meaning
  1. Labeling someone as 'homophobic' for having negative views of homosexuality can falsely imply a single cause for their opinion and stigmatize them without considering other reasons.
  2. Using terms like 'racism' and 'denier' to label those with differing views can be a dishonest tactic to imply that their opinions are unreasonable without proper argumentation.
  3. Words like 'thermal pollution' and 'CO2 emission as pollution' can carry hidden value judgments, implying negativity without explicitly stating the values being used.

Don't Shoot the Philosopher: Ethics and the Pursuit of Moral Integrity

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 02 Jul 22
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Beliefs Knowledge Humanity
  1. Ethics and morality are frequently confused, but they have distinct meanings and play vital roles in personal, social, and political contexts
  2. Philosophy through ethics challenges us to critically examine our moral beliefs and strive for intellectual integrity
  3. Thinking ethically requires addressing complex moral questions, confronting inconsistencies, and engaging in meaningful dialogue to enhance mutual understanding

The Dream Machine

Rough Diamonds • 70 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Philanthropy Innovation Science Technology Administration
  1. Philanthropy can create new, innovative projects that don't exist yet. Instead of just giving to existing organizations, donors can help start new initiatives, which is much more exciting and impactful.
  2. Science and tech projects often lack funding, even if the research is important. Many great scientists depend on small donations, and they need more support to bring their ideas to life.
  3. Creating ambitious projects takes a lot of work and organization. It's important to have dedicated people to manage and facilitate plans so that innovative ideas can become reality.

"Is Capitalism Bankrupt?"

Bet On It • 155 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Debate
  1. The author received some harsh feedback after a debate on the merits of capitalism, with one viewer calling them a 'self-satisfied, close-minded, pompous, elitist jerk.'
  2. The author admits to smirking during the debate, but explained that the other guests were really funny, possibly explaining their expression.
  3. The full debate video is available for viewing to see the dynamics and humor of the participants.

If You See the World as a Dead Machine, Atrocities Make Sense

Default Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics Society Human nature
  1. Seeing the world as just a machine can help explain why people commit horrible acts. It makes it easier to understand their actions.
  2. This view of the world can lead to a sense of detachment from others and their suffering. When you see people as parts of a machine, it's easier to ignore their pain.
  3. Recognizing the machine-like nature of the world can change how we think about society and morality. It raises questions about our responsibilities toward each other.

Bad Debate, Good Debate and Antidebate

The Joyous Struggle • 59 implied HN points • 13 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Debate Dialogue Epistemology Democracy
  1. Debates can sometimes escalate into tribal showdowns rather than genuine dialectical processes aimed at uncovering truth.
  2. The current state of discourse is challenged by polarisation, short attention spans, and social media, making traditional debates seem inadequate.
  3. An Antidebate approach blends elements of good debating with dialogical principles, encouraging a reimagining of the purpose of discourse towards generative, collective sense-making.

Becoming who we are

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 399 implied HN points • 22 Oct 20
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. The post discusses the importance of being aware of what is happening around us and having a long-term perspective on history.
  2. The content is aimed at paid subscribers, encouraging them to subscribe or sign in if they are already paid members.
  3. The post emphasizes the journey of becoming who we are, suggesting a deep dive into self-discovery and personal growth.

Boom: The Gospel of Progress

Kvetch • 69 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Metaphysics Ethics Spirituality
  1. The authors argue that progress comes from a strong vision for the future and the drive to achieve it. They believe that breakthroughs in science and technology can only happen if people unite behind bold ideas.
  2. They emphasize that greatness is often the result of singular efforts and conflicts rather than widespread consensus. Historical achievements like the moon landing were fueled by the passionate resolve of a few individuals.
  3. The text warns against complacency and believing that stagnation is inevitable. It encourages readers to challenge this notion and aim for transformative change instead.

Pathless Path

do clouds feel vertigo? • 19 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Mindfulness Cognition Perception Identity
  1. Breaking out of our usual habits can lead to surprising discoveries. When we pay attention, we might find new paths and experiences waiting for us.
  2. Curiosity can help us push past our fears. Feeling anxious about the unknown is normal, but choosing to explore can open up new opportunities.
  3. Innovation often starts from simply noticing something different. With courage and a willingness to step off the beaten path, we can reshape our understanding and create new adventures.

You aren't special

The Leftovers • 79 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Self-Improvement Life philosophy
  1. The post discusses the idea that you aren't special, challenging the belief in the 'Law of Attraction' that promotes positivity and the universe providing success.
  2. It mentions a film called 'The Secret' that has gained popularity for promoting the idea that to achieve something in life, you just have to know what you want and believe in the outcome.
  3. The post invites readers to keep reading by subscribing to The Leftovers for a 7-day free trial.