The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

Kintsugi: The Art of Mending

Polymathic Being • 80 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Cognitive Bias Relationships Cultural Insights
  1. Kintsugi is a Japanese art of mending broken things with gold, which symbolizes that beauty can come from flaws and imperfections. It teaches us that just because something is broken doesn't mean it's worthless.
  2. This concept can be applied to relationships, where misunderstandings or conflicts can lead to fractures. By acknowledging and repairing these issues together, relationships can become even more valuable.
  3. To apply Kintsugi in relationships, you need to be open to understanding your biases, carefully listen to others, and work towards forgiveness and growth. It's a process that requires ongoing effort and care.

The Inner Life of the Future

The Joyous Struggle • 1106 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
📖 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.

If You See the World as a Dead Machine, Atrocities Make Sense

Default Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics Society Human nature
  1. Seeing the world as just a machine can help explain why people commit horrible acts. It makes it easier to understand their actions.
  2. This view of the world can lead to a sense of detachment from others and their suffering. When you see people as parts of a machine, it's easier to ignore their pain.
  3. Recognizing the machine-like nature of the world can change how we think about society and morality. It raises questions about our responsibilities toward each other.

Purpose Porn

thestoa • 687 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Purpose Meaning Self-help Critique
  1. Question the notion of having a predefined life purpose.
  2. Living without a defined purpose can lead to a more adventurous life.
  3. Avoid getting caught up in the societal pressure of constantly showcasing a sense of purpose.
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The NPC Question 2

Egg Report • 1297 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
📖 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.

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
📖 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
📖 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
📖 Philosophy Self-help 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 Most Dangerous Idea

Secretum Secretorum • 1161 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Reality Consciousness Spirituality Human experience
  1. Traumatic transcendence challenges the concept that extreme states of consciousness can manipulate physics, prompting a need for deeper understanding through experiments induced by profound suffering.
  2. Evidence and reasoning suggest that consciousness may transcend normal physics, as seen in tales from folklore and religious history, trauma-related phenomenon, and philosophical arguments against materialism.
  3. Love plays an integral role in traumatic transcendence and mystical experiences, emphasizing a connection between profound experiences and emotion, challenging traditional metaphysical paradigms.

Confucius Says “lol, lmao”

The Upheaval • 2026 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Governance Trust Leaders Wisdom History
  1. According to Confucius, the basics of governance consist of having enough armaments, food, and the trust of the common people.
  2. Confucius emphasizes that the trust of the people is the most crucial element for a state to stand, even above food and armaments.
  3. The modern political leaders seem to have forgotten these fundamental principles, failing to prioritize security, defense, and the trust of the common people.

The Decline of The Humanities In The 21st Century, And How To Revive The Economy of Ideas.

A Mug of Insights • 1218 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy History Ethics Metaphysics Critical Theory Humanities
  1. Students are more focused on exam success than genuine learning or philosophical inquiry.
  2. The modern education system prioritizes practicality over understanding in the humanities.
  3. There is a resurgence in interest in humanities despite challenges, showing hope for a revival in the economy of ideas.

EAs should probably focus on recruiting the ultra-wealthy

Something to Consider • 99 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Altruism Economics Social Impact Fundraising
  1. Effective Altruism should prioritize recruiting wealthy individuals because a big donation can have a much larger impact than many small ones. It's more beneficial to convince one billionaire to give a large amount than to have thousands give small amounts.
  2. The reputation issues from past events, like the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried's companies, shouldn't discourage efforts to recruit wealthy donors. The potential benefits of their donations greatly outweigh these concerns.
  3. Investing resources in programs that can attract wealthy individuals is seen as a very cost-effective strategy for Effective Altruism, as the benefits can be significantly greater.

For more lifeboats: The only just academic job market is a tight academic job market

Philosophy bear • 135 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Job Market Social Critique Higher education
  1. Lifeboat ethics talks about how to share limited resources when not everyone can have what they want. It's an important conversation in academia to think about who gets what.
  2. Many discussions in philosophy focus on how to share jobs and recognition, but we need to pay attention to creating more opportunities rather than just dividing what's there.
  3. Increasing the number of academic positions can help reduce inequality and give people a better chance, especially those who face challenges in their careers.

Extraterrestrial Governance

Skeptic • 42 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Governance Ethics Human nature Society Exploration
  1. As we start living on other planets, we need to figure out how to govern ourselves there. This means thinking about the best way to make decisions and keep everyone safe.
  2. Direct democracy sounds good for a small group, but as the population grows, we might need more rules and systems to handle conflicts. Balancing freedom and order will be a big challenge.
  3. We can learn from Earth's history and societies to create better systems on other planets. Sharing resources, cooperating, and having good leadership are crucial for survival and success.

Robot Philosophy

Egg Report • 569 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Reality Intelligence Time Logic
  1. In the realm of computation, complex statements can be broken down into simple ones, reflecting a mono-causal, universalist view of reality.
  2. Projects like AI and VR are attempts to recreate intelligence and reality, each carrying metaphysical claims about the simplicity and illusory nature of complexity.
  3. Engaging with computers and writing code trains individuals to think in a certain way, guiding them towards a robotic mindset and reinforcing metaphysical assumptions.

Excalibur

Becoming Noble • 996 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Hierarchy Tradition
  1. The qualities that define nobility have varied but always involve the concept of the genuinely superior ruling the inferior.
  2. To maintain power, the nobility must embody and be perceived as a manifestation of the Divine Will, holding the Mandate of Heaven.
  3. Incorruptibility is essential for kings to prevent them from becoming tyrants, and for a society to turn away from modern decadence and return to a traditional reality.

Can society be perfect?

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Epistemology Politics Society Tradition
  1. Perfectionists believe society can be made perfect by following what they think are the right ideas. They think mistakes can be corrected easily.
  2. Anti-perfectionists believe that trying to perfect society often fails because of human flaws. They think it's okay for people to make mistakes and learn from them.
  3. Conservatives value traditions and experiences as important knowledge, while perfectionists sometimes discard traditions when they think they've found something better.

Unpsyopable

thestoa • 589 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Conspiracy Theories Intellectual humility Critical Thinking
  1. Psyops are techniques used to influence minds with varying degrees of transparency and deception.
  2. In today's world, psychological manipulation is pervasive, and being aware of it is crucial to personal sovereignty.
  3. Engaging in philosophical inquiry can help individuals become less susceptible to psyops and actively construct their reality.

The evolved functions of morality: From the Haidts to the depths.

ideassleepfuriously • 628 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality Evolutionary Psychology Altruism Social Sciences
  1. Morality is more than just virtue; it involves judgments of wrongness and desire for punishment.
  2. The explanation for morality may go beyond altruism and virtues, delving into darker aspects.
  3. Understanding moral judgments involves looking at nonconsequentialism, desire for punishment, impartiality, and presence of a victim.

The Dream Machine

Rough Diamonds • 70 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Philanthropy Innovation Science Technology Administration
  1. Philanthropy can create new, innovative projects that don't exist yet. Instead of just giving to existing organizations, donors can help start new initiatives, which is much more exciting and impactful.
  2. Science and tech projects often lack funding, even if the research is important. Many great scientists depend on small donations, and they need more support to bring their ideas to life.
  3. Creating ambitious projects takes a lot of work and organization. It's important to have dedicated people to manage and facilitate plans so that innovative ideas can become reality.

How Many Fucks Should Be Given, and About Whom?

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
📖 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.

Property Rights Are All in Your Head – Part I

Living Fossils • 28 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Property Rights Morality Conflict resolution
  1. Property rights exist because we believe in them. They aren’t like physical things we can measure but are ideas that people create and agree on.
  2. When disputes happen over property, it's often a matter of conflicting beliefs. The winner is decided based on how society views those beliefs, which can change over time.
  3. Different cultures have different rules about property. These rules shape how property rights are understood and can even change who gets to keep what when someone passes away.

Postmodernism and the Failure of Moral Triage

Peter Boghossian • 1061 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Postmodernism Critical Theory Identity politics Social justice Education
  1. The problem with peer review in academia is highlighted by the replication crisis in fields like psychology and biological sciences.
  2. Rejecting the ideas of science can lead to dangerous notions like limiting access to truth based on immutable characteristics.
  3. The shift towards woke ideology in education and social psychology has contributed significantly to the propagation of postmodernist ideas.

When Hatred and Fear Mask as Indignation

Philosophy bear • 114 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Ethics Social justice Education Political theory
  1. Indignation is feeling morally upset about someone doing something wrong, while contempt is viewing someone as less than human and not caring about their welfare. It's important to understand the difference between these feelings.
  2. People often hide their contempt under the guise of indignation, especially towards groups like children who may commit crimes. We should question this attitude and seek to unmask the true feelings behind it.
  3. Children's moral development is ongoing, and they shouldn't be held to the same standard of moral responsibility as adults. It's unjust to treat them as fully moral agents while denying them basic rights like voting.