The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

Overloading and appropriation

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 39 implied HN points • 17 May 23
📖 Philosophy Language Knowledge Epistemology Uncertainty
  1. Overloading 'risk' means using the word for many situations that aren't really risky. This can lead to confusion and poor decision-making because we apply the wrong methods to deal with those situations.
  2. Appropriating 'uncertainty' refers to using the term in ways that suggest it can be easily measured or controlled. This misleads us into thinking we can manage all unknowns when some can't be quantified and should be treated differently.
  3. Both overloading and appropriation give us a false sense of comfort. They make scary unknown situations feel more manageable when, in reality, we might be ignoring important nuances.

Inadmissable knowledge: Introducing a concept

Philosophy bear • 107 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Knowledge Consequentialism
  1. Inadmissible knowledge refers to information that should not be considered in certain contexts to avoid unethical decisions.
  2. In some cases, what is inadmissible in one situation may become admissible in another, depending on the impact of possible harms.
  3. Using inadmissible knowledge may create an obligation to act tactfully and with kindness, especially in exceptions to its application.

Everything is Dominance Hierarchies

Muslim Musings • 6 HN points • 18 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Existence Self Purpose Ethics
  1. Our chosen career path often stems from a desire to feel important and special by excelling in a specific skill or domain.
  2. Life involves climbing dominance hierarchies that we unknowingly conform to, with associated myths that justify our participation.
  3. The pursuit of importance within dominance hierarchies is universal, regardless of the specific career or skill, leading individuals to invest in climbing these structures.

In Defence of Power

Mon0’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political Philosophy Social theory Critical Theory
  1. Power is often seen as bad, but it can actually be used for good. For example, parents guiding their children or the legal system keeping society safe are just uses of power.
  2. Many people wrongly believe that the powerful are always the oppressors. In reality, sometimes the less powerful can also act in harmful ways towards others.
  3. Using power requires responsibility and intelligence. Instead of fearing it, we should learn how to use power wisely to make positive changes in our lives and communities.

What is the essential structure of the complex numbers?

Infinitely More • 38 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Mathematics Epistemology Ontology Logic
  1. There are different ways to think about complex numbers, like focusing on their algebraic or topological structures. Each viewpoint gives us unique insights into how complex numbers behave.
  2. Mathematicians don't all agree on what the essential structure of complex numbers is, leading to multiple interpretations. It shows us that understanding math can be quite flexible.
  3. The paper identifies four main perspectives on complex numbers, which can help clarify the discussions around their nature and engage with broader philosophical questions in mathematics.
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Life Is All About Work, Didn’t You Know?

antoniomelonio • 86 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Work Freedom Society Labor Capitalism
  1. Life involves a cycle of working to survive - from following specific rules in society to earning a living through predetermined means.
  2. Many find dissatisfaction in modern work due to its lack of purpose, fake elements, and inequality. Imagining a fulfilling work experience that is meaningful and valued.
  3. Existence is tied to being productive in a system driven by abstract concepts of growth, leading to disillusionment and a call for individual struggle for freedom and authentic living.

Can We Break the Spell?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Psychedelics Human nature Society Consciousness Reality
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A Whole New Cope

Breaking Smart • 107 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Agency
  1. Thanks to globalization and the internet, we now feel more involved in global events.
  2. Our reactions to distant events can be influenced by a sense of general disequilibrium in the world.
  3. The balance between constraint and agency in our lives can be disrupted by external factors, leading to heightened reactions.

The Enemy is Any Thing That Will Get Me Killed

The False Consensus Effect • 39 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Society Politics
  1. The post discusses the concept that anything threatening one's survival can be considered an enemy.
  2. The author expresses frustration towards government decisions and the prioritization of weapons over social issues like homelessness.
  3. There is a reflection on feeling isolated in a society that may be considered insane by those who seek sanity and compassion.

The Counterexample Comparison Confusion

Mon0’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Debate Ethics Logic Culture Communication
  1. People often confuse counterexamples with comparisons in discussions. Instead of addressing the counterexample, they just argue about the differences.
  2. When someone provides a counterexample, it's important to either explain why it doesn't apply or adjust your original statement to include it.
  3. Recognizing this confusion can help make conversations clearer and more productive, leading to better understanding and discussion.

Happy Birthday !

Activist Futurism • 79 implied HN points • 16 Mar 22
📖 Philosophy Reflections Identity Activism Social Change
  1. Adapting to major changes like the pandemic can lead to a redefinition of self and a shift in career focus.
  2. In the world of crypto, profits often come from having exclusive information that others don't possess, leading to a growing information gap.
  3. Increasing information asymmetry in society, seen in areas like Covid research and global conflicts, can make actions of the informed difficult to understand by those lacking knowledge.

An Intelligence Beneath the Surface -

Charles Eisenstein • 1 implied HN point • 18 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Ethics Existentialism Social Philosophy Mindfulness Community
  1. The video argues that strange or “crazy” ideas are often symptoms of deeper social and environmental conditions rather than the root causes of our problems. It uses images like geese and solitary confinement to show how isolation and stress produce those thoughts.
  2. Comments have been turned off on Substack and conversations are being moved to a dedicated forum to keep discussions focused and avoid spreading the creator too thin.
  3. This is one of a series of short videos for the Sanity Project 2026 that will be posted frequently, and the project is reader-supported with free and paid subscription options.

Under the Power

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Identity Body Connection
  1. When faced with a negative state or fear, we can choose to either not identify with it or will ourselves to face it.
  2. Separating from identification with negative emotions allows for inner growth and the possibility of uniting inner forces through willpower.
  3. Observing bodily manifestations of emotions and intentional relaxation can aid in freeing oneself from identifications and negative states.

Impartial giving, a la Effective Alturism, is not a politically neutral idea (v. short)

Philosophy bear • 78 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Political theory Right-wing
  1. Leftwing respondents were more likely to display ethical impartiality, showing a strong association between politics and impartial altruism.
  2. Effective Altruism's self-image as neutral or centrist is contradicted by the political alignment of EA survey respondents.
  3. Impartial compassion manifests differently between left and right political ideologies, with rightwing individuals more likely to reject impartiality.

Who Are You?

Weekly Wisdom • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Identity Mind Awareness Consciousness
  1. Reflection on personal identity is complex and goes beyond just a name or profession. It involves deep introspection and questioning.
  2. Through self-inquiry practices like meditative questioning, one can uncover layers of identity and explore the nature of the mind.
  3. Identity is a fluid concept, influenced by societal norms, personal experiences, and the mind's tendency to categorize and label aspects of the self.

assorted thoughts on beliefs and emotions

Midnight Musings • 39 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Beliefs Emotions Relationships Self-awareness Personal Growth
  1. Beliefs can really shape who we are and how we interact with others. People often stick to their beliefs and form communities around them, making it tough to change opinions later.
  2. Self-sabotage and guilt can mess up our daily routines. Instead of feeling good about progress, we often focus on what we didn’t achieve and feel bad about it.
  3. Our emotions impact our relationships more than we realize. If we can let go of negative feelings and understand that others are doing their best, we can create healthier connections.

The Clouds

Square Circle • 11 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Metaphysics Epistemology Nature Spirituality
  1. Trusting words can be tricky. Sometimes, just observing nature, like clouds or the sea, can help solve our mental struggles.
  2. Nature offers a reality that isn't driven by human desires. It allows us to feel something greater than our own thoughts and problems.
  3. By truly engaging with the uncontrived beauty of nature, we can reconnect with a more authentic part of ourselves. There's a sense of kinship with things like clouds that transcends our everyday worries.

How The Psychologist Got Confused

Living Fossils • 27 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Evolutionary Psychology Behavioral Science Philosophy of science
  1. Just because something is called an explanation doesn't mean it really explains anything. A word can't fully clarify complex ideas.
  2. Complex topics need more detailed models to explain them. Simple labels aren't enough for deeper understanding.
  3. Many psychologists struggle with clear explanations because they often focus on labels rather than real underlying processes or mechanisms.

Property Rights Are All in Your Head – Part I

Living Fossils • 28 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Property Rights Morality Conflict resolution Social Constructs
  1. Property rights exist because we believe in them. They aren’t like physical things we can measure but are ideas that people create and agree on.
  2. When disputes happen over property, it's often a matter of conflicting beliefs. The winner is decided based on how society views those beliefs, which can change over time.
  3. Different cultures have different rules about property. These rules shape how property rights are understood and can even change who gets to keep what when someone passes away.

Some predictions about the future of AI safety and EA if the current trajectory continues

Philosophy bear • 92 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy AI safety Effective Altruism Politics Predictions
  1. AI safety could become a left-wing issue, with corporations unlikely to sustain alliances with safety proponents in the long run.
  2. There may be a split within Effective Altruism due to relationships with corporations, leading to a 'left' and 'right' division.
  3. The AI safety field might divide into accommodationist and regulation-leaning factions, reflecting broader political trends.

What if the Great Filter is complacency?

inexactscience • 19 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Cosmology Sociology Epistemology Futurism
  1. Complacency might be the reason we don't see aliens. Instead of self-destruction, advanced civilizations may just choose to stay comfortable where they are.
  2. Economic reasons for space exploration could fade as the Earth becomes richer. If we make energy and resources abundant, we may not feel the need to explore beyond our planet.
  3. As the human population is expected to decline, the drive for exploration may lessen. With fewer people, our focus might shift to improving life on Earth rather than colonizing new worlds.

The Delusion Factor

Malt Liquidity • 10 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Personal Growth Ambition Agency
  1. Balancing between focusing on the present and planning for the future is important. It's okay to take things as they come, but you also need to work towards your goals.
  2. Understanding people’s motivations can help differentiate between conservative and liberal thinking. Conservatives tend to limit risky behavior while liberals focus on resolving negative situations.
  3. Success and achievements can feel unsatisfying if not connected to deeper personal fulfillment. It’s essential to look beyond accomplishments to find lasting happiness in life.

Courage and Moonshots

Castles in the Sky • 29 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Science Humanism
  1. Big, crazy ideas can spark real change. Even if they seem impossible, they can lead to groundbreaking outcomes, like space travel.
  2. Dealing with the unknown is key to growth. Embracing humility, curiosity, and courage helps us face challenges and pursue innovative ideas.
  3. It's important to focus on practical steps for achieving goals. Even the most visionary thinkers made their mark by doing the hard, everyday work.

Understanding™, or the computational theory of mind

Silicon Reckoner • 19 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Understanding Intelligence Science Theory
  1. The computational theory of mind is based on a metaphor and tends to take symbolic logic too seriously.
  2. Trademarked concepts like intelligence™ may limit the full understanding of intelligence by excluding certain human emotions like wonder and anxiety.
  3. Understanding in mathematics involves knowing what to calculate and having the technical skill to make those calculations.

Surrogate Activities

Brain Lenses • 19 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Technology Society Efficiency Meaning Productivity
  1. Jacques Ellul believed that modern technology has led to a loss of intellectual and practical liberty.
  2. Ted Kaczynski, influenced by Ellul's ideas, took a different path by using violence to address technology's negative impact.
  3. The concept of Surrogate Activities derived from Ellul's ideas focuses on non-essential tasks hindering efficiency and personal growth.