The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

Rainbow Onions and Turquoise Gardeners

What's Important? • 17 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Development Leadership Society Spirituality
  1. There are different stages of human development that help us understand our own growth and where we might be headed. Knowing these stages can help us recognize our patterns and work on ourselves.
  2. Our needs and environment affect our perspective and ability to grow. When our basic needs are met, we can think more openly and empathetically about the world around us.
  3. The shift towards more advanced levels of consciousness is happening at an increasing pace, and it calls for new kinds of leaders who can nurture growth in themselves and others by creating safe and supportive environments.

Thinking the Unthinkable

What's Important? • 65 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Integration Science Society
  1. Many people are feeling confused because our traditional ways of thinking, especially in politics and economics, aren't working anymore. This is showing us that we might need to change how we relate to each other and the world.
  2. Our brains tend to focus too much on logic and separation, which keeps us from seeing the bigger picture. Connecting more with our emotions and understanding the interconnectedness of life can help us navigate this complex world.
  3. As we become more in tune with ourselves and others, we might discover new abilities and deeper relationships. Embracing love and connection can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Finding the third way

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 59 implied HN points • 31 May 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Decision Theory Epistemology Innovation Critical Thinking
  1. There are two common reactions to uncertainty: one is to act like everything is knowable and try to control it, which can lead to poor decisions. The other is to give up and think that nothing can be done about the unknown, which doesn't help either.
  2. Instead of sticking to those two extremes, there's a better approach. It's important to recognize that not-knowing can lead to new ideas and actions.
  3. We can break down uncertainties into different types. Understanding these helps us figure out how to deal with situations where we don't have all the answers.

In Praise of Sheep

The Corbett Report • 23 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Political theory Epistemology Social Philosophy
  1. It's often easy to dismiss the masses as 'sheeple', but there might be more to them than just blind obedience. Seeing them as capable of change could inspire hope.
  2. If everyone 'woke up' and became aggressive, it could lead to a new group of tyrants. Instead, we should think of peaceful and creative ways to encourage change.
  3. Being peaceful and cooperative, like sheep, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It could be a strength that fosters community and understanding rather than conflict.

Drunk on the Narrative

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Cultural critique Social theory Narrative Theory Ethics Political Thought Community
  1. A second video in the Sanity Project 2026 series has been released, and more short videos will be posted frequently.
  2. Comments on the Substack videos are being turned off to avoid spreading the creator too thin, and discussion is being moved to a dedicated forum on Mighty Networks (naascommunity.org).
  3. The Substack is reader-supported and readers are invited to subscribe or support the work with a free or paid subscription.
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Useful Utility: Accounting for Taste (Part 2)

reedmolbak • 19 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Taste Consequentialism Utilitarianism
  1. Moral philosophy can be based on individual tastes rather than universal principles, leading to ethical decisions rooted in personal preferences.
  2. Conflicts in tastes are common, and ethical choices involve recognizing and balancing personal preferences, whether altruistic or self-centered.
  3. Utilitarianism suggests evaluating and prioritizing individual tastes to make decisions that best satisfy personal desires and goals.

Useful Utility: Consequences (Part 1)

reedmolbak • 19 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Decision-making Consequentialism Utilitarianism
  1. Consequentialism focuses on the outcomes of actions rather than the actions themselves
  2. Utilitarianism's core concept is that decisions should be made based on consequences and what's best for achieving goals
  3. Ethical decisions often benefit from using a consequentialist approach, considering outcomes and consequences over abstract ethical theories

Neuropessimism, the impossible ideology

Square Circle • 3 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Epistemology Aesthetics Metaphysics Ethics Mind Spirituality
  1. The brain is a messy, evolved organ whose outputs we admire but that can be self-serving and unreliable, so it’s reasonable to question how much we should trust it.
  2. Neuropessimism says we should reject brain-made judgments and favor the intrinsic value of nature, a stance that pushes toward asceticism and seeking un-simplified complexity but is nearly impossible to fully live out.
  3. The opposite view notes that distrusting the brain may commit a logical error: its convoluted design might be exactly what produces our best insights, so a balanced response is humility, rest, and appreciation rather than total rejection.

This is water, motherfuckers

Sex and the State • 18 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Literature Mental health
  1. David Foster Wallace's 'This is Water' speech teaches us important lessons about life and awareness. It's about seeing the world beyond our daily routines.
  2. Listening to people who have faced struggles can provide unique insights. Their experiences often lead to deeper understanding and advice.
  3. Sometimes, the most valuable advice comes from those who have battled with their own challenges. Their perspectives can help us navigate our own lives better.

Iron Cage

Brain Lenses • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Sociology Economics Capitalism Theory Bureaucracy
  1. Max Weber coined the term 'iron cage' to describe how modern humans are enclosed within capitalistic systems with strict structures.
  2. The structures of capitalism and bureaucracies have created an almost indestructible shell that governs social, relational, and resource management aspects of our lives.
  3. Many people operate within this 'iron cage' without realizing the system they are enclosed in.

Against Progress

The Abbey of Misrule • 259 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Radicalism
  1. The article is about being against progress and making a case for reactionary radicalism.
  2. The author discusses Edward Goldsmith's traditionalist views and his role in the early British green movement.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to continue reading the post and access the full archives.

Multi-Psyop. Introduction to the Master Scam

Tessa Fights Robots • 21 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Spirituality Consciousness Psychology Social Issues
  1. We are living in a complex situation where many forces are trying to control how we think and feel. It's important to look deeper and understand what's really happening beyond just the surface issues.
  2. Many messages we hear are designed to keep us angry and divided instead of helping us find real solutions. We need to be cautious about who we listen to and what emotions we let guide us.
  3. It's crucial for us to reconnect with our true selves and recognize our power to create positive change. By healing and being honest with ourselves, we can move past the oppressive narratives and start building a better reality.

What is a Belief (Part 2: Language, Truth, and Logic)

Ethics Under Construction • 15 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Logic Language Truth Meaning
  1. A belief is when we say something is true about a thought. We give thoughts the property of being true based on our perspective.
  2. Language is a way to share our thoughts, but it doesn't always need to be logical. Even strange phrases can still communicate ideas.
  3. Truth is about how our beliefs relate to reality. We assign truth to our thoughts, but the world is already true without our beliefs influencing it.

Starting in Mysticism; Ending in Politics

The Joyous Struggle • 59 implied HN points • 10 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Mysticism Politics Modernity Transcendence
  1. Charles Peguy believed that everything starts in mysticism and ends in politics, emphasizing the importance of understanding the origins and implications of statements and ideologies.
  2. Peguy's concept of 'amodernism' challenges the traditional views associated with modernity, suggesting a different perspective that incorporates mysticism and transcendence.
  3. The idea of starting from a mystical perspective rather than a modern one can lead to a more meaningful and profound approach when shaping a shared world and understanding reality.

Ten Borrowed Years

'Sorry, can you speak up? I have Tinnitus.' • 61 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Mortality Existentialism Self-reflection Meaning of life Personal Growth
  1. Life is fragile and can change in an instant. After nearly dying, it's clear that every day is a gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
  2. We all have a choice in how we live our lives. Instead of just going through the motions, we should actively strive to make our lives meaningful and impactful.
  3. Understanding our own mortality motivates us to live fully. It's important to remember that our actions today can create a lasting difference in the world.

Useful cognitive lenses to see through

The Counterfactual • 59 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Cognition Science Metaphor Frameworks Paradigms
  1. Understanding the world often relies on different 'lenses' or frameworks that help us interpret complex information. These frameworks can simplify reality, making it easier to grasp important ideas.
  2. Metaphors play a crucial role in how we think and communicate. They provide familiar associations that help us understand difficult concepts, even if they don’t capture the whole truth.
  3. It's essential to consider different perspectives and counterfactuals when evaluating ideas. Looking at what could happen if things were different can help us make better decisions and avoid misleading conclusions.

Freedom

Black Lodges • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Freedom Human nature Liberation Reality
  1. Freedom is important and requires a deeper understanding beyond what we are taught in the West.
  2. Question the indoctrination about capitalism and the free market that we have grown up with.
  3. Explore the historical context of freedom from the bourgeois revolutions to Marx's work on the subject.

Searching for the Root of the Tree of Evil

Nothing Human • 90 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Epistemology Social theory Political Philosophy
  1. People want to help solve many problems in the world, but it's hard to choose which one to focus on. Some think we should tackle the root causes rather than just the symptoms of these issues.
  2. The scientific method has helped humanity make big advancements by learning from nature. There are some who believe we need to do the same with our social problems, focusing on understanding how to work together better.
  3. Building better cooperation among people could be the key to solving many of our problems today. We need systems that can help us trust and understand each other on a larger scale.

What it means to be human

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Human nature Animal Behavior Empathy Cognition Communication
  1. Humans often assume that animals understand their intentions, but animals react instinctively based on their own perspectives. It's important to remember that what feels friendly to us may be seen as a threat to them.
  2. Thinking in images instead of words can help us connect with our animal side. Animals primarily think in pictures, and accessing that part of our brain can calm us and improve our understanding of other creatures.
  3. Our bigger brains give humans advanced reasoning abilities, but it can also make it harder to relate to animals. Understanding our differences and similarities with other species helps us learn more about being human.

Throwing People Out Windows in the Time of the Plague

Good Reason • 113 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Justice Human nature
  1. People often focus on harm caused by others rather than systemic issues, leading to skewed priorities in addressing problems like disease during historical events.
  2. Our instinct to protect social order and punish those who harm it is crucial for maintaining peace and preventing individuals from causing significant harm.
  3. While outrage at harm caused by people is important, it's also essential to pay attention to systemic issues and larger threats like disease, to prevent neglecting significant problems in society.

The myth of Katechon

Demodexio • 132 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Government Legislation Ethics Society Politics
  1. In a fictional scenario of a government run by an ignorant, forgetful mob, passing laws can be improved with a rule of double voting ten years apart.
  2. Redundancy, like multiple voting rounds, can filter out bad laws and ensure long-term benefits for society.
  3. In Katechon, most proposed laws are harmful, but the delayed double voting system helps in passing laws that address long-term needs effectively.

Apologies for the error!

Philosophy bear • 14 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Logic Epistemology Philosophers
  1. There was an error in a previous post where the wrong link was shared for the 'Talk to Philosophy Bear' bot. It's important to check links for accuracy.
  2. The correct link has been provided in the updated post for anyone interested in using the bot. Always look for updates to get the right information.
  3. Supporting content creators can help them keep producing interesting posts. Consider subscribing to their work if you enjoy it.

Meditations on Machinic Desire

Nothing Human • 57 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Capitalism AI Ethics Addiction Cultural critique
  1. We are moving towards a future where artificial intelligence may surpass human intelligence, and it might happen gradually rather than suddenly. This means machines could take over many tasks we currently do without a clear turning point.
  2. The idea of capitalism is being explored as something that may harm our human nature. It could act like a virus that drives us to work endlessly for money, rather than for meaningful relationships or experiences.
  3. Our desires are becoming more virtual and less tied to reality. Instead of wanting real things, we often find ourselves chasing numbers or metrics, which can make us less happy even as society becomes more prosperous.

Can Morality Be Quantified?

The Grey Matter • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality Ethics Decision-making Values
  1. Quantification in morality is a useful framework for decision-making, not a literal truth.
  2. Money is a valuable tool for quantification, but it has limitations in capturing all aspects of value.
  3. Quantification, like valuing a statistical human life, helps systemize decision-making, but it has practical limits and should be used as a tool wisely.

Sorrowful Wisdom

What Is Called Thinking? • 16 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Logic Ancient Philosophy
  1. Philosophers often believe wisdom leads to happiness, but Ecclesiastes suggests it can bring sorrow instead. It's important to understand that knowing more can also make us more aware of life's difficulties.
  2. Finding a balance between the promise of wisdom and its harsh reality is challenging. We shouldn't just choose one side, but rather learn to navigate both perspectives.
  3. The exploration of wisdom should take into account the emotional weight it can carry. It's okay to feel burdened by knowledge; it's a part of being human.

Extraterrestrial Governance

Skeptic • 42 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Governance Ethics Human nature Society Exploration
  1. As we start living on other planets, we need to figure out how to govern ourselves there. This means thinking about the best way to make decisions and keep everyone safe.
  2. Direct democracy sounds good for a small group, but as the population grows, we might need more rules and systems to handle conflicts. Balancing freedom and order will be a big challenge.
  3. We can learn from Earth's history and societies to create better systems on other planets. Sharing resources, cooperating, and having good leadership are crucial for survival and success.

How we might have viewed the continuum hypothesis as a fundamental axiom necessary for mathematics

Infinitely More • 20 implied HN points • 22 May 25
📖 Philosophy Mathematics Logic Metaphysics Epistemology History
  1. The continuum hypothesis (CH) is about understanding different sizes of infinity, particularly if there's a number between natural numbers and real numbers. Many assume its truth or falsehood is needed for math.
  2. If early mathematicians had been clearer about infinitesimals and different types of numbers, they might have accepted CH as a key part of math and calculus, making hyperreal numbers a standard concept.
  3. Whether CH is true or false is not just a technical question; it reflects deeper philosophical views about the nature of mathematics and how we interpret infinity and set theory.

Letter #16: Separation and Reunion

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Epistemology Social theory Consciousness Existentialism
  1. Standard online formats feel inadequate because ubiquitous AI-generated content makes authentic human communication harder to find.
  2. The scarcity of real connection has grown through the digital age, intensifying people’s longing for genuine, person-to-person exchange.
  3. Some writing is gated behind paywalls, linking access to perceived authenticity with paid subscription models.

"Worthless Degrees" and the Hidden Hand of Values

Humanities in Revolt • 119 implied HN points • 18 Feb 22
📖 Philosophy Values Humanities Ethics Critical Thinking
  1. Critics of humanities and liberal arts often overlook the vital necessity of these fields in shaping critical thinking skills and cultural knowledge, which contribute to individual flourishing and democratic society.
  2. Human values play a significant role in shaping our lives, influencing our beliefs, decisions, and societal norms.
  3. Factual claims are rooted in sensory perceptions, while value-based statements determine what is important or significant to us, showcasing the essential interplay between facts and values in human understanding.

The Two Creatures Inside Us

The Ruffian • 184 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy Mental models Choices Balance Frameworks
  1. Life is full of trade-offs between exploring new opportunities and exploiting current knowledge.
  2. The 'explore/exploit' trade-off is a common dilemma faced by individuals, organizations, and organisms.
  3. Understanding and balancing the 'explore/exploit' trade-off can help in personal, work, and social situations.

Creatures and Machines

New World Same Humans • 114 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Technology Human nature Ethics
  1. The next great division could be between those who want to live as creatures and those who want to live as machines.
  2. The ongoing technology revolution could lead to a conflict between those embracing human-machine fusion and those wanting to remain fully human.
  3. New stories, visions, and ways of coexisting are needed to navigate the differences in attitudes towards technology and human nature.

Grace.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 48 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Spirituality Self-Improvement
  1. Grace is about being kind and understanding, especially during tough times. It's important to respond with patience instead of anger.
  2. Having grace means showing forgiveness and empathy towards others. This helps create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued.
  3. Grace also involves accepting our own imperfections and handling challenges with dignity. It's about staying calm and composed even when things get difficult.

The Future Is Now

moviewise: Life Lessons From Movies • 203 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Life lessons
  1. Movies can offer deep philosophical lessons that can enlighten and awaken viewers.
  2. The concept of the Wheel of Fortune is visually represented in 'The Hudsucker Proxy' to showcase ups and downs in life.
  3. The film teaches a valuable life lesson that there is always a second chance, urging viewers to embrace the present and strive for a better future.