The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

The Wisdom To Choose Action or Inaction

Who is Robert Malone β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 04 Nov 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Social Sciences Complex Systems Political theory Human behavior
  1. It's important to understand the difference between complicated systems, like computers, and complex systems, like ecosystems or human societies. Complex systems are unpredictable and can't always be controlled with precise interventions.
  2. When dealing with complex systems, sometimes it's better to wait and observe rather than rush to act. Taking a careful, incremental approach can help prevent unintended consequences.
  3. Censorship and forced social engineering can hinder our ability to adapt and learn from experiences. Encouraging free communication and decentralized thinking is crucial for innovation and growth.

Yes, Non-Existent Entities Exist (Part 1: The Nature of Abstract Objects)

Ethics Under Construction β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Metaphysics Ontology Epistemology Logic
  1. Abstract objects, like numbers and concepts, can exist independently of physical reality. Even though we can't touch them, they still have a place in our understanding of the world.
  2. Thinking proves our existence, which means thoughts must also exist. You can't doubt your own thinking; without thoughts, you can't claim to exist.
  3. For a thought to count as an objective idea, it needs to be understandable to others. If something is too private or confusing, it isn't a true thought that can be shared.

23 principles

Midnight Musings β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 04 Apr 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Self-Improvement Personal Growth Mindfulness Existentialism
  1. Forgiveness helps you heal and frees you from the weight of anger. It's good for both you and the people you forgive.
  2. Focus on what you can control and react positively to life’s ups and downs. Embracing challenges with love and gratitude can make life more enjoyable.
  3. Be kind and compassionate to others without needing to understand their situation completely. Compassion opens the door to real connections.
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Information as Public Good

Something to Consider β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Society Politics Information Law
  1. Information is a public good, meaning it spreads easily and people who discover new facts often don't get rewarded for their efforts. This can lead to less investment in finding important information.
  2. One idea to fix this is to allow people to be paid for revealing bad information, even if it sounds like blackmail. By doing this, we might prevent bad behavior from companies or individuals because they would pay to keep wrongdoings secret.
  3. Legalizing this kind of 'blackmail' could actually help society by making people more open about wrongdoing and allowing for better accountability. It could also adjust how we punish people based on what's really important to the public.

Aristotle's Practical Philosophy (part 1)

Logos and Liberty β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Virtue Friendship Contemplation Human nature
  1. Aristotle's practical philosophy aims at discovering a way of life that enables individuals to use their highest faculties and communities to support this way of life.
  2. The key components of 'Eudaimonia' according to Aristotle are virtue, love, and the contemplative life.
  3. Human happiness, for Aristotle, is strongly influenced by the quality of human relationships and the social context surrounding those relationships.

How Many Fucks Should Be Given, and About Whom?

I Might Be Wrong β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Morality Charity Philosophical Concepts Social Responsibility
  1. We have a responsibility to help others in need, just like we would save a drowning child, even if it's inconvenient for us. Helping others shouldn't depend on whether someone else is doing it too.
  2. Thinking about charity should focus on our obligations to help, rather than questioning if we should care about people far away. Our compassion should guide our actions.
  3. Discussions about aid, like those involving organizations such as USAID, often lack depth. We need to critically evaluate the impact and effectiveness of our help.

The Elon Musk Conundrum

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jun 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Belief Ethics Change Principles Existence
  1. Principled investing involves weighing the mission of a company against moral dilemmas associated with its practices or affiliations.
  2. Avoid blindly following charismatic figures like Elon Musk; focus on personal growth and actions within immediate control.
  3. Acknowledging imperfections in existence and striving for personal growth can lead to impactful change, even if larger systemic issues remain beyond control.

Is Retribution Illegitimate?

Gideon's Substack β€’ 38 implied HN points β€’ 14 Sep 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Justice Ethics Free will Authority
  1. Retribution as a basis for a justice system is considered illegitimate by some, who argue that justice systems should focus on reducing harm, not retribution.
  2. Punishment should be justified on pragmatic grounds, such as minimizing harm and preventing future harm, rather than retribution for its own sake.
  3. Retributive justice can be seen as a form of restorative justice, aiming to heal societal breaches caused by crimes, but may need to balance with considerations of rehabilitation and societal impact.

Ecclesiastes, Skepticism, Conservatism, and Warren Buffett

What Is Called Thinking? β€’ 26 implied HN points β€’ 29 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Skepticism Conservatism Existentialism Tradition Investments
  1. Skepticism can be used to challenge authority, but it also requires self-reflection and humility.
  2. Traditional wisdom can offer a safer path amidst uncertainty and skepticism.
  3. Balancing conservatism and confidence, like Warren Buffett does, can lead to better decision-making and impactful choices.

The Trad Marxism of George Grant, Part 2

From the New World β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Political Thought Marxism Conservatism Theology Cultural critique
  1. George Grant blended traditionalism with Marxism, believing that while capitalism had improved life in some ways, it left a void in meaning and connection for many people.
  2. He thought that Marx's ideas offered a moral vision that could help explain social and economic issues, but felt that Marxism failed to embrace the spiritual aspect of life.
  3. Grant warned that society was becoming increasingly homogenized, with cultures and individual identities being overshadowed by impersonal economic systems.

#27: Ambient uncertainty, Part 1

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 06 May 20
πŸ“– Philosophy Uncertainty Mindset Psychology Routine
  1. Life can feel uncertain and unpredictable, especially during tough times. Finding joy in small daily victories helps us cope with this unpredictability.
  2. Being used to a predictable routine makes sudden changes feel scary. We need to build up our comfort with uncertainty so we can handle bigger challenges better.
  3. Creating small surprises or fun moments in our daily routines can help us look forward to the unexpected. This way, we can embrace uncertainty instead of fearing it.

How to build a newthing

The Ideaspace β€’ 25 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Creation Existence Reality Life Mortality
  1. Building a new thing involves meditating on creation and seeing it as an organic machine with a mystical element. It requires a delicate balance of control and allowing the new thing to reveal itself.
  2. Starting a new project should stem from emotions towards an idea and allowing it to unfold naturally without pushing or completely ignoring it.
  3. Maintaining the authenticity and purpose of a new thing is crucial to its survival. Recognizing that all new things will eventually change or die helps in staying true to its essence.

Perhaps something has occurred in the history of the concept of structure

Internal exile β€’ 28 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Language Cultural transmission Interpretation
  1. Jacques Derrida's lecture 'Structure, Sign, and Play' launched post-structuralism in 1966.
  2. Language models like LLMs create structured language instantly, blurring the origins and history.
  3. LLMs operate without embodied knowledge, relying on statistical relationships of tokens rather than real-world experience.

What's Ready to Die?

David Spinks' Newsletter β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 23 Dec 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Existentialism Death Identity Personal Growth Meaning
  1. Everything in life goes through cycles of death and rebirth. We should embrace these changes instead of resisting them.
  2. Letting go of what no longer serves us can lead to new beginnings and opportunities. It's important to recognize what might be holding us back.
  3. Facing the unknown can be scary, but trusting in the process can lead to growth and a better understanding of ourselves.

Apocalypse, Revelation, Singularity

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter β€’ 11 implied HN points β€’ 15 Nov 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Transhumanism Cultural critique Spirituality
  1. The idea of a technological Singularity suggests that machines might soon surpass human intelligence. This could change everything about our existence and how we interact with technology.
  2. Some believe that instead of fearing this future, we should find value in our current experiences and connections. Emphasizing the present can lead to a more fulfilling life than chasing after technological advances.
  3. Philosophers suggest that technology shouldn't dominate our lives. Instead, we should see it as a means to enhance our current reality and creativity, rather than a goal in itself.

Standing in the Center of the Unknowing as the World Cries. What to Do?

Charles Eisenstein β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 17 Dec 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Existentialism Social theory Political Philosophy
  1. There are big questions about how we farm and feed the world, especially concerning the impacts of high-tech agriculture versus organic methods. It's important to rethink how we connect with nature while feeding our population.
  2. Personal healing and intimate connection are crucial in a world filled with chaos and violence. The work of those helping people find healthy relationships can create hope and potentially transform society.
  3. Technology, especially AI, is powerful but also has limits. It might solve surface problems but won't offer real solutions to deeper issues like control and suffering in society.

My Cave of Echoes

DruGroup β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 14 Dec 21
πŸ“– Philosophy Bias Perspective Conviction Communication Learning
  1. It's important to be friends with people who are different from you. Learning from their experiences can help expand your thinking.
  2. Listen more and ask questions when talking to others. Understanding their views can help you see where they are coming from.
  3. Try to consider other viewpoints even if you don't agree. It helps avoid misunderstanding and can make your own beliefs stronger.

The Haves and the Havents: Interlude

Carefree Sketches β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jul 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Love Valuation Understanding Human nature
  1. When we say 'I like you' to someone, it involves a certain conceit and value judgment based on rational parameters.
  2. Liking someone involves weighing various values such as amenity, rank, purpose, and affinity, and assigning them a value.
  3. Contrasting 'I like you' with 'I love you,' love is seen as irrational, residing in the heart, while liking is a more reasoned and intellectual process.

The Holy Fool

Unverified Revelations β€’ 42 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Archetypes Morality Activism Ethics Principles
  1. The holy fool is a political archetype who confronts society's moral values without concern for status or effectiveness.
  2. Holy fools are powerful because they challenge the status quo and are willing to pay external costs for internal coherence.
  3. There are false fools who mimic the holy fool's outward appearance but lack the genuine commitment and self-consistency.

Between human and non-human

The Strategy Toolkit β€’ 43 implied HN points β€’ 21 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Strategy Philosophy Consciousness Ethics Happiness
  1. The post discusses the relationship between human and non-human entities in the context of philosophy and strategy.
  2. Individuals running companies and organizations are influenced by philosophy, guiding decision-making and strategy.
  3. Philosophical concepts such as consciousness, free will, morality, and value play a crucial role in strategy and decision-making.

Hayek Helps Us Understand Why People Are Losing Their Minds

QTR’s Fringe Finance β€’ 34 implied HN points β€’ 06 Sep 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Moral Philosophy Political Philosophy Social Philosophy Ethics
  1. F.A. Hayek's 'The Fatal Conceit' helps us understand how reason is not the cause but a product of civilization.
  2. Reason does not exist separately from our social environment, impacting our ability to resist tyranny.
  3. Humanity's evolution and civilization were shaped by following rules and morality, not by mere intellect or socialist ideals.

You Say You Want a Revelation?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Idealism Esotericism Spirituality Metaphysics
  1. Rudolf Steiner's ideas combine spirituality and knowledge of the cosmos, emphasizing the importance of consciousness in shaping reality. His thoughts are gaining new relevance in today's world.
  2. The seminar explores how modern science, like quantum physics, intersects with ancient philosophies and Steiner's teachings. This suggests a more interconnected view of existence.
  3. Steiner's legacy influences many artists and thinkers today, encouraging a blend of scientific inquiry and spiritual exploration. It's about finding deeper meaning and purpose in our lives.

How To Cultivate Attention In Our Distracted World

A Mug of Insights β€’ 6 HN points β€’ 01 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Attention Learning Ethics Humanity
  1. Great thinkers and leaders in history valued long stretches of isolated thinking time to cultivate attention and critical thinking.
  2. Attention is more than just following instructions or seeking answers; it's about fostering curiosity and seeing the world with fresh eyes.
  3. Sustained attention is crucial in our modern world of constant distractions, allowing for deep understanding and personal growth.

The Era of Truth is Coming

Square Circle β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Metaphysics Existentialism Ethics Ontology
  1. Many people think big changes are coming in the 21st century, including climate problems and advances in AI. But things might just go on pretty much as they have been for a while.
  2. Some believe we are in a dark time that will eventually lead to a new era, called the Era of Truth, where better things can emerge. This could involve major breakthroughs in technology or a return to simpler, more human ways of living.
  3. The future is uncertain, and there are various possibilities. We might see a technological renaissance, an end to our current ways of life, or simply a continuation of the status quo.

For The Person Who Has Everything

What's Important? β€’ 22 implied HN points β€’ 10 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Wisdom Purpose Mindset Balance Self-Improvement
  1. The most influential changes in worldview often happen when successful individuals face a shift in circumstances that require a different mindset.
  2. Developing a 'steering wheel mindset' with broad attention and intuitive insights can lead to fresh perspectives and a more accurate worldview, benefiting the individual and the tribe.
  3. Reconnecting with wisdom and cultivating 'metis', the essential quality of responsiveness to the world, can lead to balance, meaningful interactions, and overall flourishing.

Twenty one

Infinitely More β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Game Theory Logic Education Mathematics Culture
  1. The game of Twenty-One involves two players counting to twenty-one by saying one to three numbers each turn. The goal is to be the one who says 'twenty-one' to win.
  2. Players can develop strategies to control the game and eventually win. It’s smart to think ahead about how many numbers to say.
  3. This game can help illustrate important ideas in game theory. It’s a fun way to explore how cooperation and strategy work together.

Episodic Memory for Gossip

The Memory Palace β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 21 May 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Cognitive Science Social Behavior Narrative Theory Evolutionary Theory
  1. We often share memories to understand others better and make smarter choices about who we work with. Gossip, or sharing stories about people's past actions, plays a big role in this.
  2. Episodic memory may have evolved to help us remember people's behaviors, which helps us avoid bad partners and build better cooperation. Remembering who can be trusted is really important for survival.
  3. Sharing stories about others is a great way to learn without putting ourselves at risk. It helps us judge people's actions and create a better understanding of their reputations in our social circles.

Success without comparison or expectations

A Bit Gamey β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Stoicism Self-Improvement Emotional Health
  1. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own unique value, and feeling inferior or superior only harms your well-being.
  2. Focus on what you can control and contribute without needing validation from others. Your worth is not tied to how others react to you.
  3. Freedom comes from understanding that societal expectations are just illusions. Embrace who you are and live your life, unbothered by others' judgments.