The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

Choosing the Experience Machine

The Permanent Problem β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jul 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Reality Human connection Personal Identity Existentialism
  1. The concept of the experience machine questions the idea of a fulfilling life based solely on pleasure.
  2. Many reject the idea of being plugged into an experience machine for life, but some are in favor.
  3. Contemporary society shows a trend of overinvestment in virtual experiences at the expense of real relationships and projects.

#8: voluntary uncertainty

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 25 Dec 19
πŸ“– Philosophy Mindset Uncertainty Decision-making Self-Improvement Cognition
  1. People can get overwhelmed by uncertainty, especially when it's continuous, like through events such as Brexit. They might feel a sense of fatigue that makes it hard to deal with new uncertainties.
  2. Practicing 'voluntary uncertainty' means putting yourself in situations where you choose to not know the outcome. This could be trying new things or making changes in life, and it helps you become better at handling real uncertainties.
  3. Organizations and individuals who get used to managing uncertainty can adapt and innovate better. They learn that not knowing everything can be a normal part of life, which helps reduce fear around unexpected changes.

Humans are Just a System, Right?

I Might Be Wrong β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jun 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Existentialism Epistemology Ethics Metaphysics Humanity
  1. Humans are like emergent systems, made up of smaller parts that come together to create complex results.
  2. Emergence exists in various fields like economies, cities, and consciousness, implying that systems are present in many aspects of life.
  3. It's okay to not have all the answers or know your purpose, as humanity might be part of a larger system with a mysterious purpose.

Why We Need Tradition

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 28 Sep 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Tradition Society Culture Values Civilization
  1. Traditions were created to solve problems. Forgetting traditions can bring back old problems or create new ones.
  2. Physical routines are vital. Skipping regular exercises can lead to pain and injury. Consistent maintenance is key for long-term health.
  3. Cultural traditions are important. Forgetting the reasons behind them can lead to societal issues. Embracing and reviving traditions can help prevent further problems.
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The Mole

Square Circle β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 09 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Religion Reason Spirituality Atheism Mysticism
  1. Moles adapt to live underground, losing some abilities in exchange. This can be compared to different beliefs about spirituality and religion.
  2. The contrast between science/reason and mysticism/spirituality is explored, questioning the idea of only affirming one over the other.
  3. The text encourages embracing both the 'sunshine' of reason and the 'moonshine' of spirituality, suggesting there is value in both perspectives.

Nonsense, Irrelevance, and Invalidity

Ethics Under Construction β€’ 5 HN points β€’ 29 Oct 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Knowledge Free will Morality Ethics Logic
  1. Certain philosophical statements can be nonsense, like the liar's paradox, lacking basic truth-value and conveying no information.
  2. Statements can also be irrelevant, failing to provide any useful information, like stating obvious facts or redundant phrases.
  3. Logical gaps, like the is-ought gap, show that certain ideas are invalid and should be disregarded as meaningless.

Of Monster and Utilitarians

Sam’s Newsletter β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 27 Mar 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Utility Happiness Comparison Morality Ethics
  1. It's impossible to accurately compare the happiness or utility levels of different individuals.
  2. The concept of a 'utility monster' suggests that if we could compare utility, an entity could justify taking disproportionate resources.
  3. The existence of a 'utility monster' is refuted by the fact that we cannot objectively measure absolute utility levels.

Don't be too attached to your beliefs

Akash Chinnaiah β€’ 4 HN points β€’ 04 Jan 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Beliefs Self-reflection Ego Freedom Knowledge
  1. Our beliefs are deeply influenced by the environment and people around us, shaping who we are. Questioning and reevaluating our beliefs can lead to personal growth and freedom.
  2. Beliefs are not fixed; they change over time as we gain new experiences and knowledge. Being open to challenging our beliefs can lead to better decision-making and a more authentic life.
  3. Changing our beliefs is not easy, as it often involves letting go of ego and deeply ingrained ideas. Broadening our knowledge and experiences can help us make more informed choices and grow as individuals.

The Economics of NOPE

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic β€’ 6 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Economics Markets
  1. The movie NOPE explores the idea that certain things should not be produced or sold, highlighting themes of commerce and spectacle.
  2. Repugnance in markets can lead to government intervention when outcomes are not socially optimal, with examples like banning organ sales or slavery.
  3. The debate on moral limits of markets involves normative (what should be) vs positive (what is) economics, with economists often lacking background in non-math disciplines.

Thoughts on Flourishing

The Permanent Problem β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jun 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Well-being Ethics Society
  1. Human flourishing can be seen through relationships, projects, and experiences.
  2. There is a distinction between individual and collective flourishing, with different requirements and tensions.
  3. Balancing average, peak, and total flourishing perspectives is crucial for understanding what constitutes a good life and society.

At the Crossroads: Nine short recordings

Charles Eisenstein β€’ 1 implied HN point β€’ 27 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Existentialism Epistemology Ethics Metaphysics Social theory
  1. Each country faces its own unique challenges, showing that the world is at various crossroads. It's important to recognize and understand these different situations.
  2. Scientific ideas can sometimes seem disconnected from everyday life, but they play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of reality. We should explore how myth and science interact.
  3. Our decisions shape who we are as humans. It's vital to reflect on the forces that guide our choices and the values we hold.

Rebalancing Capitalism

The Permanent Problem β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Capitalism Social Progress Technology Human flourishing
  1. Technological progress alone is not enough to address capitalism's crisis of inclusion; new social arrangements are needed.
  2. The goal is to supplement capitalism by promoting economic independence through small-scale, face-to-face divisions of labor at the household, neighborhood, and community levels.
  3. An economic independence movement could lead to a more balanced society, offering a better, more fulfilling life for many and creating countervailing power against the capitalist elite.

Waste Your Time, Your Life May Depend On It

The Convivial Society β€’ 4 HN points β€’ 12 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Technology Human nature Society
  1. Beware of falling into the 'tyranny of tiny tasks' that can lead to exhaustion and dissatisfaction.
  2. Question the societal pressure to save time and optimize efficiency, considering what tasks truly elicit fidelity and care.
  3. Embrace a form of life that values meaningful engagement, care, and relationships over productivity and automation.

Thời gian

ThΓ‘i | Hacker | Kα»Ή sΖ° tin tαΊ·c β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 11 Sep 17
πŸ“– Philosophy Time management Productivity Digital detox
  1. When feeling overwhelmed with work, it's important to prioritize daily activities and break free from unproductive habits to manage time effectively.
  2. Valuing your own time leads to respecting others' time, reflected in punctuality and consideration for others in public spaces.
  3. Regardless of background or wealth, everyone has 24 hours a dayβ€”how time is utilized greatly impacts individual lives, where every phone notification could be a subtle invasion of personal time.

Black Iron Prisons

A blog. β€’ 1 implied HN point β€’ 17 Nov 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Worldviews Cognition Mental health Ethics Religion
  1. A black iron prison is like a distorted way of thinking. People in it can hold strong beliefs, but those beliefs may not be based on what’s really true.
  2. It's important to consider that we might all be in some sort of mental prison. A good way to check this is to stay open-minded about our own beliefs and how they shape our views of the world.
  3. When we face big challenges or losses, it can help us break free from these prisons. Sometimes, experiences like therapy or even spiritual practices can help us see things differently.

Looking vs. Seeing

Mica’s Newsletter β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 22 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Existentialism Epistemology Metaphysics Aesthetics Ethics
  1. Looking just means directing your eyes at something. Seeing is about understanding and being aware of what you're looking at.
  2. There's often more going on in front of us than we realize. If we take time to really see, we can discover hidden truths.
  3. Once you truly see something, it sticks with you. It can change how you view the world and what you notice every day.

End the Horror, Let the Crisis Change You

As If We Were Staying β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Existentialism Environmental Ethics Metaphysics
  1. We are facing many crises all at once, called a polycrisis. This means it's affecting us in many parts of our lives and makes us feel overwhelmed.
  2. Horror can be seen as the fear of losing control or understanding in uncertain situations. To get through it, we need to confront what scares us, rather than avoiding it.
  3. To change and grow, we need to rethink our beliefs and frameworks that have been shaped by capitalism. Embracing change is key to moving past the horrors we face.

The Art of Living

The Convivial Society β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 01 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Life Art Learning Virtue Humanity
  1. Living is an art that involves working creatively within the constraints of our human existence.
  2. Embracing the idea of an 'art of living' emphasizes the importance of cultivating virtues and skills rather than seeking quick fixes or hacks for self-improvement.
  3. Modern consumer culture promotes limitless consumption but does not lead to true fulfillment; practicing the 'art of living' involves accepting and celebrating the limits of our embodied existence.

Movie posters

world spirit sock stack β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 06 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Imagination Decision-making Values
  1. Hopes and expectations can bring joy, but disappointment can also follow if they don't meet reality.
  2. Imagining the future is like looking at movie posters: the image is not the same as the actual experience.
  3. It's important to separate desires from actions and to be able to observe thoughts and feelings without feeling obligated to act on them.

The Intersubjective Continuum

Superb Owl β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 29 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Reality Belief Truth
  1. Belief and truth interact in strange ways, with reality being both a reflection of our beliefs and existing independently.
  2. Reality spans a continuum between Objective, Subjective, and Intersubjective, where facts are influenced by public opinion and personal belief.
  3. Intersubjective reality blends individual beliefs with societal opinion, creating a complex dynamic where power influences what is accepted as truth.

Deep and obvious points in the gap between your thoughts and your pictures of thought

world spirit sock stack β€’ 2 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Truth Thoughts Imagination Reality Modeling
  1. Some thoughts can feel profound or obvious, depending on your perspective and understanding. What may seem like a tired clichΓ© to one person can be a significant insight to another.
  2. Our perception of the future is often based on our own imagined versions of it, rather than the actual future itself. Realizing this distinction can be eye-opening.
  3. Sometimes, what seems like common sense can actually challenge our existing thought patterns, leading to moments of revelation and shifts in perspective.