The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics
Charles Eisenstein β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jun 25
  1. Creating something meaningful can be both rewarding and tiring. It's important to acknowledge that mix of feelings.
  2. Engagement with the audience can lead to a deeper understanding of your work. Listening to feedback helps improve and grow your ideas.
  3. Taking breaks after intense focus on a project is helpful. It gives you time to reflect and recharge for the next challenges.
Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
  1. The main reason for the underperformance of Leftist movements is a lack of funding compared to the Right, who use their resources to shape public opinion through think tanks and covert operations.
  2. To bring about systemic change, a shift in paradigm at the individual level is crucial, as demonstrated by the power of psychedelics in sparking a cultural reconsideration and leading to a psychedelic renaissance.
  3. A new ontology emphasizing monistic or analytic idealism offers the potential to redefine society's underlying paradigm, providing a pathway for transforming civilization and addressing pressing global challenges.
Tessa Fights Robots β€’ 18 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
  1. Uncertainty is a fundamental part of life, and we should connect with our inner selves to navigate it.
  2. Warm, caring people, a strong sense of inner goodness, and reliance on loving spiritual powers can help us withstand uncertainty with courage.
  3. Predators thrive on spoiling communities and creating insecurity, but emphasizing our spiritual connection and goodness can protect us and bring peace.
Charles Eisenstein β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 25
  1. Outsourcing tasks to machines can make us weaker in those areas. For example, relying on GPS can make our navigation skills worse over time.
  2. Using technology can help us unlock new ways of thinking and generating ideas, but it can also lead to passive thinking. If we let machines do too much, we may stop exercising our own creativity.
  3. AI can create a narrow way of thinking, limiting our ideas. If we only rely on AI-generated content, we risk losing our unique perspectives and deeply understanding the world.
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We're Gonna Get Those Bastards β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 24
  1. It's important to accept things we cannot change, like other people's beliefs, because trying to change them can lead to frustration. Just accept people as they are.
  2. We can only control our own happiness and responses to situations, not the world or others around us. Focusing on ourselves may bring more fulfillment.
  3. Small changes in life are more manageable and effective than trying to achieve big changes. Embracing acceptance can help us deal with challenges better.
The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jan 20
  1. Life is full of tradeoffs. When you want something, like a stable job or a big house, you may have to give up other freedoms, like moving easily or having more free time.
  2. It’s important to clearly define what tradeoffs you are okay with. This helps you make better decisions, whether it’s about what to eat or where to live.
  3. Instead of just asking what you want, think about what you are willing to sacrifice. This question helps you understand your priorities and can lead to clearer choices.
peoplefirstengineering β€’ 8 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 24
  1. The blade symbolizes a competitive approach, focusing on being right and confronting others, while the chalice represents a more nurturing mindset, promoting cooperation and openness to new ideas.
  2. When learning or in conversations, using the chalice helps foster better relationships and deeper understanding, encouraging curiosity instead of defensiveness.
  3. It's important to choose the right approach for the situation; sometimes decisiveness is needed (the blade), but other times, open exploration is key (the chalice) for effective teamwork and learning.
Unfashionable β€’ 22 implied HN points β€’ 12 Nov 23
  1. In our era, science is often treated like a religion, with scientists seen as clergy.
  2. The use of the term 'Science' in discussions can imply an ethical obligation and blur the lines between descriptive and normative claims.
  3. Trying to eliminate human judgment in decision-making processes with a focus on 'following the science' can lead to accountability issues and politicization of science.
The Leadership Lab β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 21
  1. Problems in personal development are often misunderstood as errors, but they are signs of evolution. New challenges indicate growth, not past mistakes.
  2. Breakthroughs in learning and development can be sudden and disorienting. They require acceptance of uncertainty and the creation of new tools.
  3. Having 'negative capability', the capacity to embrace confusion and uncertainty, is essential for pursuing greatness and adapting to challenges.
Klement on Investing β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 25
  1. Individualism, while beneficial for starting businesses, can lead to selfishness if taken too far. A healthy balance between individual rights and community needs is important for society's well-being.
  2. Libertarianism, which promotes extreme individualism, can create dangers for society by ignoring the communal nature of humans. This can lead to inequality and a breakdown in trust among people.
  3. When business and politics prioritize profit over social responsibility, it can harm society and increase inequality. History shows that high inequality can lead to serious problems for both communities and economies.
Metarational β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 03 May 24
  1. The quote 'If you've never missed a flight, you spend too long waiting in airports' highlights the concept of tradeoffs - arriving early to reduce flight missing probability but spending more time waiting at the airport.
  2. Thinking in terms of tradeoffs, where marginal benefit equals marginal cost, is a common concept, especially in economics, but can seem foreign to those unfamiliar with it.
  3. Intuitive reasoning works best when costs and benefits are easily felt and the numbers involved are tangible, as opposed to areas like healthcare public policy. In such cases, explicit cost-benefit analysis can save substantial amounts of money.
Reactionary Feminist β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 25
  1. The concept of identity today relates to our understanding of the self and the soul, linking back to historical changes in awareness and technology. Understanding this connection helps us see how we evolved with our tools, starting with literacy.
  2. Modern technology, especially after the sexual revolution and through social media, has begun to commodify our emotional and social aspects, which can have both good and bad effects. This commodification can lead to profits but also risks or negative impacts for society.
  3. The writer suggests we can embrace technology without losing our sense of what it means to have a soul, as long as we acknowledge the difference between our deeper human qualities and digital tools. By doing so, we can enjoy the benefits of modern advancements while fostering genuine well-being.
Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter β€’ 17 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 24
  1. Transitioning from Capitalism to Technofeudalism involves the integration of digital technology and privatization of the Internet.
  2. Holochain presents an alternative to blockchain, emphasizing user autonomy and decentralization.
  3. Building diverse currencies tailored to specific community needs can promote resilience and cooperation in contrast to traditional monetary exchange.
Charles Eisenstein β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jul 25
  1. The writer experienced a tough week after publishing an essay, facing significant reactions that affected him deeply. People often struggle with criticism, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed by it.
  2. He finds it hard to ignore negative feedback, which shows how sensitive and thoughtful he is about his work. Sensitivity can be a strength, allowing for deeper connections with others.
  3. Despite the difficult moments, sharing personal experiences can bring valuable lessons and foster understanding. Opening up about challenges helps build a supportive community.
The Bigger Picture β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 14 Feb 20
  1. We are facing a meaning crisis, losing connections to our roots and historical trajectory, which impacts our politics and the environment.
  2. Different 'memetic tribes' are constructing maps of reality, leading to polarization and closed ways of perceiving the world.
  3. To navigate the complexity, we need to embrace lost ways of knowing, balance left and right brain functions, and engage in participatory learning to understand and connect with our environment.
Natural Selections β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 25
  1. Frogs start as tiny tadpoles and then change into frogs, showcasing a natural transformation. This idea can also help us understand our own growth as we change from childhood to adulthood.
  2. The Ship of Theseus serves as a metaphor for identity and change. Just like the ship can have all its parts replaced and still be considered the same, we too can change but still remain uniquely ourselves.
  3. Humans have a long childhood where we learn by observing and imitating. Unlike frogs, we don't undergo a physical metamorphosis, but we do experience a significant evolution in skills and abilities as we grow.
Midnight Musings β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 09 May 22
  1. Understanding my ego has helped me realize that I'm not just my thoughts and desires. I can be the observer of my thoughts instead of getting lost in them.
  2. I've learned that desire often leads to disappointment and exhaustion. Instead of asking what I want, I now focus on what I can give to others.
  3. I believe that our energy affects our experiences and relationships. By giving love and compassion, I attract positive experiences into my life.
visa's voltaic verses ⚑️ β€’ 23 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jul 23
  1. Regular writing can be a tonic for the mind and soul, helping to maintain mental clarity and honesty.
  2. Different mediums and platforms can affect the reception of one's writing and thoughts, guiding the need for adaptation.
  3. Exploring perceptions, challenging fixed ideas, and embracing patience can lead to personal growth and deeper understanding.
Charles Eisenstein β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jan 25
  1. NDAs can feel distrustful because they imply that someone doesn't trust you with their information. Instead of relying on legal threats, we should focus on building mutual trust.
  2. A Trusted Disclosure Agreement can create a stronger bond based on respect and understanding, allowing for a more positive collaboration without the fear of legal consequences.
  3. Community involvement in agreements is important. Signing in front of others can help reinforce commitment and accountability, encouraging people to honor their word.
visa's voltaic verses ⚑️ β€’ 24 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jun 23
  1. Reality is often unrealistic and doesn't always conform to our expectations.
  2. Being realistic doesn't necessarily mean having an accurate view of reality; it often implies being conservative in approach.
  3. People can get very attached to their models of reality, but it's important to adapt and update them when reality contradicts.
Seeking Bird Perspectives β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 02 Dec 24
  1. The bird perspective means looking at things from a higher viewpoint to understand the bigger picture. It helps you see how your situation fits into a larger context.
  2. The outside view uses past experiences and similar cases to predict outcomes, but it can miss important details about your specific situation. It's important to find a balance between general predictions and unique factors.
  3. Using these perspectives can help reduce biases in decision-making. They inspire clearer thinking, but they shouldn't be used as the only way to argue or win a debate.
The Pole β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 22
  1. Truth is what's consistent with reality, and knowledge is the relevant, useful part of truth that helps us understand and better ourselves.
  2. Making mistakes is inevitable, but learning from them can lead to positive outcomes like saving time, making money, and achieving great things.
  3. The Pole newsletter aims to explore self-awareness, game theory, investing, engineering, and more to help readers understand how to obtain good results.
From the New World β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
  1. Rawls' ideas about justice might be influenced by how people are portrayed in media, especially television. This could change how we see human nature and its differences.
  2. The concept of living through fiction, whether in novels or other narratives, has been around for a long time. It suggests that people have always had the ability to empathize with others, even without modern technology.
  3. Though television might make humanity seem more similar, earlier thinkers like Hobbes and Locke also explored human nature in unique ways, showing that this question is not new.
Ethics Under Construction β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 25
  1. God's power is limited by the laws of logic and reason, meaning He can’t do the impossible, like creating contradictions.
  2. If God cannot change necessary truths, then He also cannot change contingent truths; this suggests that God's power is not absolute.
  3. The idea of an all-powerful God becomes meaningless if we accept that God must operate within logical boundaries, similar to everyone else.
From the New World β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 25
  1. George Grant believes that the idea of limits is tied to the idea of God, meaning there are moral boundaries we should not cross. This suggests that some things are simply wrong, regardless of our opinions.
  2. The political legitimacy in society has shifted since divine authority was lost, making people look for new sources of legitimacy. This includes reliance on science and the founders of nations.
  3. It's unclear if Grant's view of God is unique to Christianity or if he could see value in other religions like Islam or Hinduism. He seems to focus more on the concept of a higher limit than on specific religious practices.
Sex and the State β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 24
  1. The relevance of the left/right political divide is being questioned, with focus shifting towards pro-social versus anti-social perspectives.
  2. Authoritarianism is being considered as inherently anti-social, sparking discussions on its impact on society.
  3. Engagement with differing perspectives, such as pro-social versus anti-social viewpoints, can lead to meaningful discourse and understanding.
Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 04 Mar 25
  1. People often make decisions based on emotions rather than facts. This shows that logic does not always win in arguments and discussions.
  2. Disinformation campaigns use emotional appeals to convince people, rather than relying on logical arguments. They aim to evoke strong feelings that can overshadow rational thinking.
  3. When emotions are triggered, parts of our brains responsible for logic can become less active, making it harder for us to think critically. This highlights the power of emotions in shaping our beliefs.
Midnight Musings β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 13 Mar 22
  1. We often label ourselves with phrases like 'I am kind' or 'I am weak', which can limit our freedom and prevent us from being authentic. It's important to be aware of these labels and how they shape our behavior.
  2. Negative labels may act as protective mechanisms from past pain, while positive labels can actually create fear and insecurity in us. Both types of labels can hold us back from personal growth.
  3. Letting go of the need to define ourselves with labels can lead to a sense of freedom and authenticity. Embracing who we are without labels allows us to be more present and open to life's experiences.
Hunter’s Substack β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 13 Apr 24
  1. The theory of causal reference, as proposed by Putnam, faces challenges as it may not adequately explain how individuals can refer to things with which they have no direct causal connection.
  2. Concepts can be developed from prior causal experiences to enable meaningful reference to phenomena regardless of direct causal history, challenging the strict causal necessity theory of reference.
  3. The mind's ability to create new concepts from prior experiences provides a plausible explanation for how individuals can refer to abstract or novel ideas, even if they lack direct causal connections.
Sex and the State β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 24
  1. The author discusses how her moral intuitions or ethics-to-politics mapping has evolved over time.
  2. Top-tier commenter Nicholas prompted the discussion on the evolution of the author's moral intuitions.
  3. To access the full post and archives, readers can subscribe to Sex and the State with a 7-day free trial.