The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

Consciousness

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Cognition Neuroscience Mindfulness Human experience
  1. Consciousness includes wakefulness, attention, and conscious access. These are key ideas that help us understand how we experience awareness.
  2. The author believes consciousness acts like a tool that helps us pick which thoughts to focus on. This means we can choose to think about positive things and let go of the negative ones.
  3. Studies about consciousness rely on people sharing their experiences. This means the subject is important, as they need to report when they are aware of something.

"Optimism Is For Cowards"

Apposition • 19 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy History Science Culture Politics Technology
  1. Oswald Spengler believed that all civilizations have a life cycle and will eventually decline.
  2. Spengler's work focuses on the concept of Technics, outlining the development of tools and processes in human history.
  3. Spengler warns against optimism, arguing that every civilization will ultimately face decline and destruction.
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CxD📚'23 #14: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The History of Philosophy

CxD Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy History Values Ethics Knowledge Existence
  1. Philosophy explores the nature of reality, existence, knowledge, and the relationship between ourselves and the world.
  2. Philosophy also delves into values, ethics, politics, a good life, obligations, beauty, and the meaning of life.
  3. Philosophy encourages us to think deeply about fundamental questions, challenge preconceived views, and engage in the quest for knowledge.

Love Your Enemies

Based Meditations • 19 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Morality Conflict Nature Perspective
  1. Enemies are not just human-made, but also a fundamental force of nature due to competition for survival and resources.
  2. Embracing and understanding enemies can lead to personal growth and motivation, culminating in greatness.
  3. Conflict and competition, even with enemies, can lead to creativity, abundance, and mutualistic relationships, showcasing the importance of both love and hate in life.

The Shadow of Man and Nations: A Jungian Perspective

Based Meditations • 19 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology Archetypes Consciousness Individuality Society
  1. The shadow, based on Carl Jung's theory, is the unconscious mind we are unaware of, containing repressed emotions and instincts.
  2. Archetypes like the hero or the shadow are universal human themes found in all cultures and time periods, helping us understand common behavioral patterns.
  3. Integrating and understanding our shadow - both individually and as nations - is crucial for psychological harmony and societal progress.

Short Thoughts on Rivalry

Autoscriptorium • 19 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Rivalry Comparison Belonging Trust
  1. Rivalries are often complex and go beyond simple competition, involving resentments, jealousies, and feelings of superiority or inferiority.
  2. Engaging in rivalry involves forcing comparison with others and striving to claim superiority.
  3. Rivalry can manifest as jealousy intertwined with pity, leading to subtle undermining and gradual deterioration of relationships.

I'm writing about stuff

Tom Thought • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ideas Mind History Politics
  1. The author writes about various topics like history, philosophy, politics, and tech, sharing thoughts that are on their mind.
  2. They are primarily writing for their own benefit, even if nobody reads it, but open to connecting with like-minded individuals who vibe with their ideas.
  3. The newsletter serves as a platform for the author to share ideas separate from their area of expertise, a space to explore and discuss different topics openly.

The Illusionist's Quest

DecafQuest's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 18 May 23
📖 Philosophy Consciousness Metaphysics Perception
  1. The article discusses the Illusionist perspective on consciousness, which challenges the traditional Cartesian view.
  2. Illusionism posits that consciousness is an evolutionary trick, creating the illusion of a 'ghost' directing our actions.
  3. Understanding consciousness as an illusion can revolutionize how we study and perceive subjective experiences.

Transgenderism: The Voice of Modern Decadence

Based Meditations • 19 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Identity Belief systems Truth Compassion
  1. Some groups distort scientific research to push ideological agendas, affecting societal views and decisions.
  2. Encouraging children to make life-altering decisions without proper guidance and support can have negative consequences.
  3. True progress involves personal excellence, spiritual wellness, and standing up for beliefs, rather than blindly following societal trends.

Ayn Rand on Writing Nonfiction

Grist Potentia • 19 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Nonfiction
  1. Ayn Rand promoted a vision of human potential and nature at the beginning of life.
  2. She defended capitalism, egoism, and reason, while opposing collectivism, altruism, and religion.
  3. Ayn Rand, originally Alisa Rosenbaum, chose to pursue a career in writing.

Short Thoughts on Authenticity

Autoscriptorium • 19 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Authenticity Etymology Truth Imagination Responsibility
  1. Authenticity is about being genuine and true to oneself; it carries a sense of uniqueness and originality.
  2. The term "authentic" is often intertwined with trustworthiness; it implies that what is seen is what truly exists, fostering confidence.
  3. Being authentic involves taking ownership of one's actions and appearances, which can feel vulnerable but ultimately leads to living truthfully and embracing one's uniqueness.

The Repugnant Conclusion Sounds Rather Nice

The Grey Matter • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Population Welfare Conclusion
  1. The Repugnant Conclusion in population ethics presents a scenario where a larger population with slightly lower welfare can be deemed better than a smaller population with very high welfare.
  2. The comparison between different universes demonstrates how the preference shifts from smaller perfect welfare populations to larger populations with slightly lower welfare, leading to a continuously increasing total happiness.
  3. Ultimately, in exploring extreme scenarios, the Repugnant Conclusion challenges our perception with mind-boggling numbers and presents a world where an astronomical number of people would find joy in their existence, highlighting the complexity of ethical dilemmas.

a dream with my grandparents

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Family Mortality Dreams Values
  1. Our loved ones can have a strong influence on our choices, even in dreams. They might push us to reflect on how we spend our time and what really matters.
  2. Wanting things doesn't always lead to happiness. Sometimes it's better to let go of desires and find freedom in accepting life as it is.
  3. We need to think for ourselves and listen closely to others to find our truth. Balancing the old support from family with new independence is a complex journey.

McKeon on Reasonableness

The End(s) of Argument • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Logic Online Discourse
  1. Distinguishing between explanations and arguments is key - explanations provide reasons for the speaker, while arguments aim for the listener to adopt a position.
  2. When explaining something to someone, the goal is for them to understand your reasons or beliefs, even if you're not trying to change their mind.
  3. The concept of 'reasonableness' in online discourse challenges the traditional debate about intent, emphasizing a broader goal of argument that encompasses expression, explanation, and persuasion.

Clock time or rock time?

lifeboat • 19 implied HN points • 03 May 23
📖 Philosophy Time Existence Agency Perception Nature
  1. Time is weirder than we think, with deep connections to the past and future.
  2. Different cultures have different ways of understanding time, like the concepts of Chronos and Kairos.
  3. Changing how we perceive time can shift our sense of agency and possibility, moving us from despair to action.

Stories and Structures

Smarter Thinking • 19 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Human behavior Belief systems
  1. Stories play a crucial role in shaping how individuals and societies perceive and behave in the world.
  2. Structures, both literal and figurative, act as restrictions that influence our actions and behaviors.
  3. Stories and structures are interconnected, with stories creating the foundation for structures to exist and vice versa, guiding our perceptions and behaviors.

The Matrix That Eats People

Tessa Fights Robots • 69 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Existence Identity Reality Consciousness
  1. Our society is depicted as a man-eating machine, preying on people's energy and diverting focus to artificial spirits.
  2. Young people's energy often gets consumed by societal norms and expectations, leading them away from meaningful pursuits.
  3. We are interconnected beings existing in multiple dimensions, influenced by various energy fields around us, guiding us to reflect on our true selves and purpose in a complex world.

I don't think there's a conspiracy among AI scientists to trick the public into thinking AI might kill everyone

Philosophy bear • 121 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Beliefs
  1. Senior AI scientists emphasize the importance of addressing AI risks alongside other societal risks.
  2. There are doubts about whether AI scientists have ulterior motives in expressing concerns about AI risks.
  3. Even if the likelihood of AI risks is low, the potential consequences are severe enough to warrant serious attention and action.

Challenging and Probing Desires

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Self-reflection Social Dynamics Personal Growth Mindfulness
  1. It's important to balance listening to your desires while still being responsible for yourself. You can enjoy things but should also reflect on what you really need.
  2. Being open and sharing about ourselves can create a better dynamic in teams. When someone is vulnerable, it inspires others to be the same.
  3. Asking deeper questions in conversations can lead to more meaningful connections. Instead of sticking to surface-level topics, try to explore stories that matter to the other person.

On going first

Infinitely More • 12 implied HN points • 30 May 25
📖 Philosophy Games Fairness Strategy Decision-making Mathematics
  1. In many games, going first can give a big advantage, which isn't always fair. It's important to find ways to balance the game for both players.
  2. Rules like the 'swap rule' in games like Hex can help make things fair, but they may not always work perfectly for every game.
  3. For games like Go, figuring out the right value to give the second player can be tricky, and the common values used might not actually be the best.

No Complaining

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 9 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Positive thinking Mental health Self-Improvement Coping Strategies
  1. Complaining doesn't change anything. It can actually make you feel worse and makes problems seem bigger than they really are.
  2. Your thoughts lead to your words, and your words lead to your actions. Staying positive can help keep you motivated and focused on solutions.
  3. When you complain about someone or something, you give it more power. Instead of whining, it’s better to take action or keep quiet.

Interpretability

Infinitely More • 28 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Logic Mathematics Interpretation Language Concepts
  1. In math, we can understand one idea by using another. It's like using different languages to explain the same thing.
  2. Sometimes, when we translate ideas back and forth, we lose some meaning, similar to playing a game of telephone.
  3. To make this work, we create special objects in a new system that can help us relate and understand the original idea better.

A Kingdom of Wisdom

CTOrly • 39 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
📖 Philosophy Wisdom Logic People Mental models
  1. Leadership requires philosophy, not just logic, to navigate people's irrationality.
  2. Being reasonable often trumps being purely rational in dealing with people.
  3. Mental models are better tools than logical formulas for understanding and interacting with people.

Virtue in Two Acts

From the New World • 32 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Political theory Ethics Social Science
  1. Modern society may be more ignorant than previous ones, as we have created layers of belief and technology that distance us from true understanding. This is like being in a cave beneath another cave, where we lose sight of the bigger picture.
  2. Political philosophy, once a comprehensive study of human affairs, has become fragmented and superficial. This change means we often miss deeper truths and only focus on narrow aspects of social science.
  3. To truly understand political issues, we need to combine technical knowledge with an appreciation of human values. This balance helps us see what is good and guides our actions effectively.

Organic & compositus belief

Philosophy bear • 71 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Beliefs Ideologies Thinking Revision Criticism
  1. Beliefs can be organic or compositus, with different approaches to spreading and defending them
  2. Organic beliefs are more open and less defensive than compositus beliefs, making them better at adapting and working with other ideas
  3. Compositus beliefs can lead to group fragmentation under tough times, while organic beliefs are more adaptable and open to revision