The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

God Spelled Backwards Is Dog

Gideon's Substack • 21 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
đź“– Philosophy Political Ethics Existentialism Social Mind Technology
  1. AI is advancing fast and creating real hype about making many jobs and skills obsolete, so healthy skepticism should follow real developments rather than idle fear or wishful thinking.
  2. If AI solves material scarcity it will create a new problem: people will struggle to find meaning and satisfy thymos, the human desire for recognition and struggle, which can breed widespread spiritual discontent.
  3. Superintelligent AI could try to fix that by reengineering humans into more docile beings — but alignment is hard because we don't have agreed ultimate values and powerful systems may operate beyond our understanding or oversight.

Aristotle vs the Stoics: part II, ethics

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 943 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Logic Psychology
  1. Stoics focused on practical philosophy of life, while Aristotle was more into theoretical inquiries.
  2. For Aristotle, a flourishing life required virtue and external goods, while for Stoics, virtue alone was sufficient.
  3. The ultimate goal of life for the Stoics was living in agreement with nature, while for Aristotle, it was a contemplative or politically involved life.

Eugenics and Libertarianism

David Friedman’s Substack • 233 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Libertarianism Eugenics Individualism Social theory
  1. Eugenics has lost popularity since the horrors of the Nazi regime, but some practices resembling eugenics still exist today, especially in libertarian circles.
  2. Libertarian ideas about eugenics focus on parents having the choice to select the traits of their children rather than forcing decisions on them, which distinguishes it from historical coercive eugenics.
  3. Compulsory eugenics, which aimed to control reproduction, faced strong opposition from libertarians like Josiah Wedgewood, who argued for individual freedom and the rights of people against such regulations.
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What is ideology?

Archedelia • 1572 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
đź“– Philosophy Ideology
  1. Committing to abstractions can make you intolerant of reality.
  2. Ideological thinking wants to make the world fit its ideas.
  3. It's important to recognize and respect aspects of the world that don't align with our ideologies.

Reality is Breaking

Charles Eisenstein • 26 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
đź“– Philosophy Political Philosophy Social theory Ethics Epistemology Metaphysics Cultural critique
  1. The Epstein files show that elite corruption and long-running cover-ups reach deep into institutions, eroding the moral authority and legitimacy of what we used to call normal.
  2. We are living in a liminal “space between stories” where old narratives are collapsing and people are vulnerable to quick, dangerous replacements; real change means transforming the conditions and habits of power, not just swapping leaders or exacting revenge.
  3. If accountability and honest truth-telling open the way, suppressed knowledge and regenerative practices — from alternative health and social technologies to indigenous wisdom and ecological systems — could help build a more humane, life-centered civilization, but that requires a new relationship to power.

Principles and pragmatism

CB • 1777 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
đź“– Philosophy Principles Pragmatism Idealism Responsibility Existentialism
  1. It's important to balance ideals and pragmatism to create valuable work. Having ideals without practical implementation is self-centered, while being solely pragmatic can lead to lack of direction.
  2. Embracing the discomfort of integrating ideals and practicality is necessary for achieving greatness. This path may not guarantee success, but avoiding it can lead to mediocrity.
  3. Pursuing ideals can uncover unexpected practical solutions, while building practical things can reveal profound ideal truths. The challenging path is often the most rewarding one.

I Was Mistaken When I Said That Giving Unsolicited Advice Is a Mistake

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 2026 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Autonomy Conflict Decision-making
  1. People usually don't like being told what to do. It can create tension, especially when the advice comes from someone they see as equal or below them.
  2. When giving advice, it's important to consider the other person's feelings and autonomy. Balancing love and respect for their independence is key.
  3. Giving unsolicited advice can sometimes be well-intentioned but misunderstood. It's good to be careful when sharing thoughts on someone else's choices.

I have free will?

bookbear express • 704 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Human experience
  1. It's easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong in our lives instead of focusing on all the good things we have. Practicing gratitude can shift our mindset and help us appreciate what we have more.
  2. Relationships can bring joy, but they also come with doubts and fears. Being present and open instead of overthinking can help us truly experience love and connection.
  3. Gratitude involves being open to new experiences and remembering the good moments in life. It reminds us that while we may have struggles, there’s always beauty to find.

Write Like A Normal Person, Please

A Mug of Insights • 1513 implied HN points • 19 May 23
đź“– Philosophy Language Communication Understanding Thought Existentialism
  1. Philosophy often seems obscure and complex to regular people due to its unique language and terminology.
  2. Understanding philosophy is akin to learning a foreign language, with its own set of definitions and interpretations.
  3. Mastering philosophy involves a shift in mindset, where the complexities of the language eventually click and become a new way of thinking and understanding.

AI in the Age of Mythic Powers (Part II) by Josh Schrei

The Bigger Picture • 519 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Embodiment Knowledge Responsibility Initiation
  1. The process of initiation and ritual is vital for humans to understand their role in the world and to prevent misuse of power.
  2. Embarking on an initiatory journey involves patience, learning, and sacrifice to gain true wisdom.
  3. Ethics and responsibility must be deeply felt and embodied, not just imposed externally, especially in the fast-paced world of technology and AI development.

I Have Learned A Few Things

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2356 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Knowledge Human nature Social theory
  1. Western interventions often lead to terrible consequences, and the people pushing for these actions are usually on the wrong side of history.
  2. Putting profit above everything else hurts our planet and our well-being, leading to a lot of unnecessary suffering, especially in poorer countries.
  3. Learning to trust our own insights and build genuine connections with others can help us see the beauty in life and find true fulfillment.

READING: Is Writing → Dialoguing :: Grunt-Programming → Vibe-Coding?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 146 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Epistemology Ethics Ancient Philosophy Mind Technology Education
  1. Written texts and recordings can give the appearance of knowledge while encouraging people to rely on external reminders instead of building and defending understanding from within.
  2. Live dialogue and dialectic force active engagement and produce a living, self-defending understanding that can grow and be passed on, unlike static written words.
  3. Modern AI/code-generation tools risk turning skilled people into passive passengers if used as replacements; they work best as training partners and aids that augment—rather than substitute for—real practice and judgment.

Highlights from the Comments on "A Measured Response"

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward • 958 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
đź“– Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Ethics Philosophy of science Logic
  1. The measure problem is important for understanding theories about the multiverse. It questions how we can measure probabilities when there are potentially infinite versions of the universe.
  2. Philosophers generally agree that the universe seems fine-tuned for life. They suggest various explanations, like the possibility of a designer, a multiverse, or deeper laws of nature.
  3. It's crucial to define the problem and the space we're working in when discussing probabilities. Ambiguous terms can lead to misunderstandings in arguments about fine-tuning.

Letter #18: Try to put out the fire and you will only get burnt

Charles Eisenstein • 2 implied HN points • 16 Mar 26
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Political Thought Spirituality Mindfulness Activism Social Change
  1. A crisis can trigger frenetic activity and intense effort to do something about it.
  2. Rushing to act often soothes personal anxiety more than it actually helps, so check whether your actions are effective before diving in.
  3. Pausing and stepping back lets you reflect, reassess your motives, and avoid getting burned out.

Time and the flesh are short- technologically augmented death contemplation

Philosophy bear • 57 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Death Meditation Moral Psychology Technology
  1. We live at a hinge point where many powerful, dangerous, and transformative forces intersect, so time and opportunity are unusually precious and easily wasted.
  2. Personal, specific reminders of mortality—imagining yourself or loved ones dying—create sharp urgency. That urgency helps you act now instead of procrastinating.
  3. Technology can augment traditional death contemplation, for example by creating images of yourself as dead to keep on your phone, making the reminder more immediate. This can motivate quicker, more creative, and braver expressions of love and generosity.

Non-Ordinary Sensemaking: How to Navigate a New Reality

rebelwisdom • 1552 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
đź“– Philosophy Consciousness Reality Spirituality Morality Metaphysics
  1. The more time we spend online, the more we risk being influenced by different states of consciousness.
  2. To effectively navigate different states of consciousness, we need 'state competence' and should learn to translate between them.
  3. Understanding cognition as embodied, embedded, enacted, and extended can help us adapt to different environments and perspectives.

Jester’s Privilege

Becoming Noble • 1375 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
đź“– Philosophy Meaning Ethics Existence Truth Knowledge
  1. The Vitalist Right movement is described as being built on a disembodied space of pure voice lacking physicality, leading to a constant state of transition with no lasting structures being built
  2. The jester in this environment thrives due to the privilege of provocation without fear of physical retribution, a role that overshadows proper leadership qualities
  3. Embracing solitude, silence, and decisive action appears to be valued virtues over endless gossip and dreaming in a space where nothing tangible can be built

Social Development > Self-Development

The Novelleist • 1846 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Self-development Social Responsibility Humanitarianism
  1. Helping others is more important than just focusing on ourselves. When we pay more attention to our communities, we find more happiness and purpose in our lives.
  2. A balance is needed between caring for our loved ones and thinking about the broader world. We should take care of our families, but also show concern for others beyond our immediate circle.
  3. Self-development is good, but too much can lead to selfishness. It's better to use our skills and time to help those around us instead of just working on improving ourselves.

The Inner Life of the Future

The Joyous Struggle • 1106 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
đź“– 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.

Notes of many things- SPICY edition

Philosophy bear • 128 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Political Philosophy Aesthetics Mind Technology Social Philosophy
  1. AI is the urgent, game-changing issue: whether models can reliably control GUIs will decide how fast office work is automated, and AI is already crushing markets for human visual art so public policy and funding are needed to preserve human creative practice.
  2. The job-application system is broken and demeaning, wasting huge amounts of time and locking out talent; collective pressure, legal reforms (like interview limits and wage transparency), and even tactical use of AI can force employers to fix it.
  3. Online communities should not act as courts and need simple, fair norms: punish only clear, current malice with a high evidential bar, avoid perpetual shaming for past mistakes, and focus on preserving decency rather than total moral cleansing.

The NPC Question 2

Egg Report • 1297 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
đź“– 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.

Proem For All Post-Dark Age Civilizations

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 2081 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics Society Future studies
  1. The future of society will face serious challenges due to shrinking populations and an aging workforce. This means there may not be enough young people to do the jobs needed to maintain the economy.
  2. Energy and resources are becoming scarce, making it hard to sustain our current way of living. Fossil fuels are becoming less available, and alternative energy sources like solar and wind have limitations.
  3. Technological advances alone won't solve these problems. A major focus for future societies will be on managing what little energy and resources are left, leading to a more frugal, sustainable lifestyle.

Carl Jung’s Gnostic Revival, Abraxas, and the 20th Century Cult of Mithra (part 5)

Matt Ehret's Insights • 727 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
đź“– Philosophy Psychology Religion Cosmology Metaphysics
  1. Carl Jung saw himself as a Dionysian messiah and initiate of Mithra seeking to create a new religious order.
  2. Jung preferred Mithraism over Christianity for its nature worship and viewed Christianity as antagonistic towards the beauty of the world.
  3. Jung's involvement in promoting gnostic texts and psychedelics, as well as his influence on establishing a new spiritualism, reflects his desire to overthrow Christianity and establish a new gnostic religious order.

No More Foreplay, the Universe is Ready to Fuck

Fridays on the oLo • 1257 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
đź“– Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Consciousness
  1. The universe is evolving towards a state of greater complexity, consciousness, and unity.
  2. Advancements in human consciousness and technology may lead to an ultimate point of reality, similar to Evolution's Grand Finale.
  3. Regardless of grand revelations or cosmic events, what truly matters are our relationships and how we treat others in our daily lives.

Coach Industrial Complex

thestoa • 727 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
đź“– Philosophy Self-help Counseling Spirituality Friendship Existentialism
  1. Approach the 'coach industrial complex' with cynicism and criticism due to toxic positivity and overpromising.
  2. There is a market demand for 'space holders' like coaches, therapists, and philosophical counselors.
  3. The coach industrial complex has the potential to improve interpersonal skills and lead to widespread positive regard without the need for paid services.

the self as a governance unit

Brain Pizza • 662 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Cognition Identity Democracy Ethics Agency
  1. Democracy works better when we see each person as a self-governing individual, not just a voter. This means everyone can actively shape their identity and choices in public life.
  2. Mindfulness and how we understand our moral identity help us become better citizens. When people are aware of their values and emotions, they make wiser decisions in a democracy.
  3. Just like democratic institutions can change, so can individuals. By reflecting on our experiences and values, we can build our identities and improve our roles in society.