The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

Reclaiming Cornucopianism

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 627 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Innovation
  1. Cornucopianism suggests that human intellect and creativity can generate an abundance of resources and solutions.
  2. Malthusianism is the opposing viewpoint that argues there are limits to growth and resources on a finite planet.
  3. The metaphor of the cornucopia can be seen as a call for techno-optimists to embrace the idea of continuous progress and innovation.

The Braindead War on Perry Hendricks

Going Awol • 319 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Bioethics Abortion Ethics Race Academic writing
  1. Some academics criticized Perry Hendricks without fully reading his work, showcasing the importance of engaging with content before forming opinions.
  2. Hendricks presented a conditional argument about abortion being wrong and its potential benefits in preventing morally questionable actions.
  3. While controversial, Hendricks' views touch on complex ethical debates such as moral luck and the historical context of organizations like Planned Parenthood.

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

The Inner Life of the Future

The Joyous Struggle • 1106 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Spirituality Consciousness Existentialism Ethics
  1. The future for humanity is often viewed through the concept of 'the third attractor,' which aims to divert the default trajectories of collapse and dystopia.
  2. The third attractor represents a disposition not to give up on the future, encompassing diverse visionary ideas for societal transformation and renewal.
  3. Attention to the 'third reality,' encompassing the inner subjective experience, and the cultivation of spiritual sensibility, is crucial for envisioning and shaping a more sustainable and meaningful future.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Antihumanism

Archedelia • 2555 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Social control
  1. The idea of antihumanism is discussed in relation to systems of social control.
  2. An anecdote about a Google self-driving car facing a practical issue is shared.
  3. The impact of social norms on technology like self-driving cars is highlighted.

Agnes Callard's Slavery Poll

Going Awol • 239 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Debate Personal Identity
  1. Agnes Callard faced backlash for asking if it's better to suffer blamelessly than to live a nice life doing something morally horrifying.
  2. Critics questioned the timing and format of Callard's poll on slavery, suggesting it was inappropriate or limiting choices.
  3. Ayn Rand supporters like Gregory Salmieri criticized Callard's hypothetical scenario for being disconnected from actionable situations.

On Techno-pragmatism

ailogblog • 579 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Pragmatism Technology Ethics Social Change
  1. Techno-pragmatism offers a balanced approach to technology, acknowledging both its potential and risks.
  2. Pragmatism emphasizes action and adequacy, rejecting fixed principles and absolutes.
  3. In the face of uncertainty with emergent technologies like AI, a pragmatic mindset that prioritizes observation and experimentation is crucial.

You live in a world that philosophy built

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 3283 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Science Society History Knowledge Ethics
  1. The Catholic Church venerated Aristotle and opposed Galileo because they trusted ancient philosophy over new scientific ideas.
  2. Living in a world where science evolves, we give more weight to current evidence than ancient texts or philosophers.
  3. Lessons from history remind us of the importance of valuing empirical evidence over established theories.

Excalibur

Becoming Noble • 996 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Hierarchy Tradition
  1. The qualities that define nobility have varied but always involve the concept of the genuinely superior ruling the inferior.
  2. To maintain power, the nobility must embody and be perceived as a manifestation of the Divine Will, holding the Mandate of Heaven.
  3. Incorruptibility is essential for kings to prevent them from becoming tyrants, and for a society to turn away from modern decadence and return to a traditional 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.

Links to Consider, 2/22

In My Tribe • 243 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Knowledge Metaphysics Idealism
  1. The concept of equalitarianism promotes the idea that groups are equal, but in reality, this ideology leads to harmful outcomes and false narratives.
  2. Traditional economic measurements may not fully account for unpaid work like caregiving, which can distort GDP calculations and signify the need for broader economic perspectives.
  3. Philosophy, unlike settled scientific areas, remains a field of exploration for unresolved questions, making classic philosophical texts important for contemplating ongoing uncertainties.

Susan Wolf's Critique of Moral Saints

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 159 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Susan Wolf argues against the ideal of moral saintliness, suggesting it may not be practical or necessary for everyone.
  2. Most people will not achieve moral sainthood, and that's okay because it's an unattainable level of perfection.
  3. While being a moral saint may be unattainable, striving for greater moral virtue could lead to a better society overall.

Why People Are Irrational About Politics

Fake Noûs • 226 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Psychology Politics
  1. The post discusses why people are irrational about politics and presents an explanation for this behavior.
  2. The content is available only for paid subscribers, indicating a sense of exclusivity.
  3. The author references a publication in _Philosophy, Politics, and Economics_ as a basis for the post, showing an academic foundation.

Aella: In defence of a birthday girl

Philosophy bear • 180 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.

On the Two Forms of Primitivism

Grey Goose Chronicles • 471 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Nature Spirituality Morality
  1. The text discusses two forms of primitivism: egalitarian primitivism and hierarchical primitivism.
  2. Egalitarian primitivism seeks a return to primitive as a form of levelling, while hierarchical primitivism glorifies life and engages in a struggle.
  3. Nature is portrayed as a refuge for those seeking escape from modernity, with some using it for personal solace and others turning it into a morality play.

The Future of Peace (3/4)

The Joyous Struggle • 375 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Peace War Society Technology Spirituality
  1. Peace is a vital challenge of our time and a necessary condition for a well-governed world.
  2. There are three possible futures: two lead to global conflict, while the third envisions a more positive, evolving society.
  3. Modern-day equivalents of 'Death Stars' like nuclear weapons and Moloch symbolize threats to peace that need to be addressed to secure a peaceful future.

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.

The New Hereditarian Man

From the New World • 237 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Social theory Egalitarianism Human nature Eugenics Rule of Law
  1. The New Soviet Man concept was imaginary, as evident from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
  2. Egalitarian sentiment persists despite evidence of biological differences, leading to challenges in discussing individual disparities.
  3. Institutions like rule of law and free markets can serve as solutions to counteract egalitarian pathologies and promote rational behavior.

Reality Eats Culture For Breakfast: AI, Existential Risk and Ethical Tech

rebelwisdom • 2849 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Consciousness Quality Reality Values
  1. Calls for ethical technology are missing a crucial element that involves a radical revisioning of our ideas about reality.
  2. The metacrisis we face involves technology outpacing our cognitive, moral, and spiritual capacities, intertwined with a lack of coherent cultural or scientific story to explain consciousness.
  3. Appealing for value-driven technology is ineffective without a deeper understanding of the metaphysical foundations that shape our culture and values, such as the concept of consciousness as fundamental to reality.

The philosophy of Peter Turchin

Wood From Eden • 1296 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Social theory
  1. Peter Turchin studies human populations like animal populations, focusing on carrying capacity and elite overproduction.
  2. Turchin's theory involves cycles of immiseration, unrest, and epidemics in societies.
  3. Turchin's idea of macroevolution and human psychology connects to Jonathan Haidt's analogy of people forming opinions based on emotions.

Opinions Are Bullshit

Everything Is Bullshit • 707 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Social norms
  1. Opinions are not facts, preferences, or beliefs, but a strategic game of social norms.
  2. Expressing opinions is about trying to appear superior without admitting it openly.
  3. Opinions involve covert judgments and externalizing preferences to win the 'opinion game'.

Aristotle on Luck

Classical Wisdom • 2181 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Epistemology Logic
  1. Aristotle distinguishes between luck and chance, pointing out that luck involves events that occur unexpectedly without necessity or regularity.
  2. Luck requires conscious decisions and human intent, while chance is simply a coincidental occurrence without purpose.
  3. Understanding luck and chance can lead to philosophical questions about the universe and our existence.

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.

The Flip, The Formation, and The Fun

The Joyous Struggle • 691 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Politics Education Culture
  1. The flip involves changing our understanding of reality to see consciousness and value as primary, leading to a sacred view of the world.
  2. The formation requires a shift from utilitarianism to virtue ethics, focusing on shaping desires towards higher purposes and societal good.
  3. The fun pertains to a shift in societal goals from growth to intrinsic ends like spiritual and creative fulfillment, aiming for an attractive and galvanizing future.

The NPC Question 2

Egg Report • 1297 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Intimacy Media Politics Social norms
  1. Recognizing our own agency and capacity for danger is a prerequisite for participating in public life.
  2. In our modern electronic media environment, there is pressure to always put on an act and believe in it, hindering self-reflection.
  3. Intimacy is not about absence of rules but integration; true friendship involves shared understanding and civility.

Darwin the Cynic

Everything Is Bullshit • 904 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Idealism Morality Ethics
  1. Being a Darwinian cynic means believing people are motivated by self-interest, family-interest, and group-interest.
  2. Darwinian cynicism challenges the idea of pure altruism, suggesting that human actions are ultimately selfish, nepotistic, or groupish.
  3. Moral progress and idealism are seen as accidental byproducts rather than deliberate desires in the lens of Darwinian cynicism.