Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis

Philosophy for the People by Ben Burgis explores a variety of philosophical discussions, from critiques of modern atheism and Marxism to examinations of free will, justice, and logic. It blends deep analytical dives into specific philosophers' theories with reflections on current events, films, and societal issues, offering a rich, interdisciplinary approach to philosophy.

Philosophical Analysis Current Events Film and Storytelling Justice and Inequality Free Will Religion and Atheism Logic and Paradoxes Political Philosophy Ethics and Morality

The hottest Substack posts of Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis

And their main takeaways

Consistent Time-Travel Movies: A Quasi-Philosophical Love Letter (UNLOCKED)

2156 implied HN points β€’ 30 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Time travel Movies
  1. Many time-travel movies have confusing causation models, but it's fun to appreciate the ones that don't rely on paradoxes.
  2. Understanding the concept of time travel and causal loops can help in appreciating well-crafted time travel stories that make sense.
  3. Movies like 'Terminator' and 'Predestination' portray time travel in a consistent and logical manner, which can enhance the storytelling.

The New York Times Memorializes Daniel Dennett Without Reading Him

419 implied HN points β€’ 28 Apr 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Free will Consciousness Compatibilism Obituary Critique
  1. Compatibilism argues that even in a deterministic universe, humans can still have free will.
  2. In the debate about free will, one needs to consider which aspects of 'free will' are crucial for concepts like moral responsibility.
  3. Criticism of Daniel Dennett highlights the importance of understanding a philosopher's actual positions before critiquing them.

Richard Dawkins's Nonsense Makes Me Miss the Not-Quite-New Atheism of Quentin Smith

399 implied HN points β€’ 14 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Religion Media
  1. Public atheism could have focused more on atheism itself rather than being a part of the culture war.
  2. Richard Dawkins was once a prominent figure in popular culture, featured in TV shows like South Park and The Simpsons.
  3. The author misses the approach to atheism presented by Quentin Smith, different from the politicized anti-theism seen in public discourse.

Norman Finkelstein's Reservations About Abortion

319 implied HN points β€’ 21 Apr 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Abortion
  1. The author discusses Norman Finkelstein's reservations about abortion and how it impacted their thinking, even though it did not change their opinion.
  2. Despite disagreements, the author greatly respects Finkelstein for being a meticulous researcher who values integrity.
  3. The post seems to be behind a paywall and is primarily intended for paid subscribers.
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Formal and Dialectical Logic

319 implied HN points β€’ 31 Mar 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Logic
  1. The post discusses the concept of "dialectical logic" and how it relates to the traditional logic taught in academia.
  2. The author shares their experiences of giving lectures and talks on philosophy and politics in different locations.
  3. The content is available for paid subscribers, providing more in-depth insights and discussions.

Marx Class Starting on [May 19th]

259 implied HN points β€’ 07 Apr 24
🚌 Education Marxism Philosophy
  1. A new Marx class by Ben Burgis is starting on May 19th, covering all three volumes of Capital.
  2. The class will be conducted via Zoom on Sundays from 1-3 EST, with flexible participation options for different volumes of Capital.
  3. The tuition cost for the class is $30 per month, making it accessible for a wide range of participants.

Peter Singer, Palestine, and the Professional Perils of Philosophy (UNLOCKED)

818 implied HN points β€’ 22 Oct 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Political Philosophy Utilitarianism Power Dynamics
  1. Approaching current events with only moral intuitions and mainstream opinions can lead to misguided analysis.
  2. Philosophical training in argument analysis needs to be supplemented with a robust understanding of the real world dynamics of power and violence for accurate interpretation.
  3. Relying solely on moral intuitions and mainstream sources for analysis of complex issues like conflict in Palestine can lead to embarrassing misunderstandings and oversimplifications.

Judaism, Atheism, and the Language of the Sacred: A Religious Mini-Memoir (UNLOCKED)

599 implied HN points β€’ 19 Nov 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Atheism Philosophy Ethics Beliefs
  1. The author reflects on their journey from Judaism to atheism, highlighting the conflict between personal beliefs and traditional religious views.
  2. The philosophical debate on the existence of God played a significant role in the author's transition to atheism, questioning the concept of a deity in the face of suffering and evil.
  3. Despite identifying as an atheist, recent events have rekindled a desire for religious language to articulate deep emotions and moral outrage in response to tragic events.

Why I Don't Buy the A-Theory of Time

579 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jul 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Time Morality Dualism Materialism
  1. The A-Theory of Time proposes an objectively real, constantly shifting "present moment," which becomes more bizarre upon deeper contemplation.
  2. Studying philosophy in college often involves exploring brain-in-a-vat-style thought experiments about knowledge, debates between Utilitarianism and Kantianism on morality, as well as discussions on mind-body dualism versus materialism.
  3. Access to certain posts and discussions on topics like the A-Theory of Time may be restricted to paid subscribers on platforms like Substack.

What Marx's Materialism Isn't

239 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. Many people are confused about what 'material' means in the context of Marx's 'materialism.'
  2. Understanding Marx's materialist theory of history is crucial to dispel misconceptions.
  3. Exploring Marx's materialism helps in grasping the core claims of the theory.

Thinking Harder About Justice: Rawls vs. Cohen vs. Marx (UNLOCKED)

758 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Political Philosophy Socialism Marxism Justice Inequality
  1. Marxist philosopher G.A. Cohen criticizes John Rawls's theory of justice from the left
  2. Cohen's idea of 'socialist equality of opportunity' aims to correct inequalities linked to factors beyond an individual's control
  3. Rawls and Cohen may be in a semantic dispute about the term 'justice', but both their perspectives are important in highlighting existing injustices and guiding future progress

Don't Cancel Zizek (UNLOCKED)

738 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Criticism Ideology Ethics Debate Thought
  1. The distinction between 'analytic' and 'continental' philosophy, with analytic focused on clarity and precision, while continental is more diverse and broader in scope.
  2. Slavoj Ε½iΕΎek's work blends insights from various fields like Lacanian psychology, Hegelian idealism, and Marxist materialism, making him a unique and thought-provoking thinker.
  3. Critics of Ε½iΕΎek often take his provocative statements out of context, leading to misunderstandings of his views, but his work remains engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Peter Hitchens vs. Christopher Hitchens: Can Civilization Survive Without God?

159 implied HN points β€’ 17 Mar 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Debate God Civilization
  1. This post discusses a debate between Peter Hitchens and Christopher Hitchens about whether civilization can survive without belief in God.
  2. The Hitchens brothers engaged in a debate on the link between "civilization" and faith in God, with a focus on their last discussion in 2010.
  3. The dialogue took place before Christopher Hitchens passed away in 2011, shedding light on their contrasting views on the role of religion in civilization.

Time Travel Loops, Causation, and the Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God

439 implied HN points β€’ 28 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Time travel
  1. Causal loops, infinite chains, and finite ones can be difficult for our minds to understand. It raises questions about how we can draw conclusions about external reality.
  2. Time travel movies often don't make sense when characters travel back to their own universe's past. This can lead to logical inconsistencies and confusion for viewers.
  3. The post discusses the concept of consistent time travel and the effects of actions happening before they are actually taken, raising intriguing points about the nature of time and causality.

Analytical Marxism in the 1990s

219 implied HN points β€’ 04 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Marxism Identity politics
  1. Analytical Marxism in the 1990s is a topic that explores the book 'Reconstructing Marxism' by Wright, Levine & Sober from 1992.
  2. There is a need to think beyond the authors' perspective to move away from left identitarianism and reconstruct class politics.
  3. The discussion emphasizes the importance of delving deeper into the complexities of these concepts for a more nuanced understanding.

Hume in Hell (UNLOCKED)

758 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jan 23
πŸ“– Philosophy History Religion Ethics Morality Free will
  1. David Hume's essays on suicide and the afterlife delve into questioning common beliefs even when granting believers' core premises.
  2. Hume challenges the concept of suicide as a sin against God, arguing that humans cannot disrupt God's plan or transgress against it through suicide.
  3. The essays lead to a broader reflection that morality should be grounded in human considerations, not divine commands, opening up a secular perspective in philosophy.

Electrons, Alternate Universes, and the Ontological Commitments of Physics: A Handy Guide to Hossenfelder vs. Goff

319 implied HN points β€’ 03 Dec 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Physics Ontology Debate Twitter Ethics
  1. Philosopher Philip Goff and physicist Sabine Hossenfelder concluded their Twitter debate on electrons and alternate universes.
  2. The discussion highlights the intersection of philosophy and physics in understanding ontological commitments.
  3. The resolution between Goff and Hossenfelder signifies an end to the Great Electron Twitter War of 2023.

Susan Wolf's Critique of Moral Saints

159 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Susan Wolf argues against the ideal of moral saintliness, suggesting it may not be practical or necessary for everyone.
  2. Most people will not achieve moral sainthood, and that's okay because it's an unattainable level of perfection.
  3. While being a moral saint may be unattainable, striving for greater moral virtue could lead to a better society overall.

I'm a Marxist and an Atheist But I Don't Think Religion Would Wither Away Under Socialism

419 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jun 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Atheism Marxism Human condition
  1. Religious beliefs can be objectively false but still reflect permanent human aspects. Debates on this topic will continue.
  2. Even though Marxists critique religion as the 'opiate of the people,' not all Marxists see it as a simple bashing of religion.
  3. The idea that religion would disappear in a socialist society might not be entirely accurate.

Sam Harris Has Nothing Useful to Say About Free Will (UNLOCKED)

619 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Free will Compatibilism Determinism Morality Responsibility
  1. Sam Harris argues that free will doesn't exist because our decisions are influenced by factors we don't fully understand or control.
  2. The debate over free will involves complex questions about determinism, moral responsibility, and cognitive capacities.
  3. Compatibilist philosophers like John Martin Fischer redefine free will in terms of being reasons-responsive, rather than just the ability to act differently given the same circumstances.

Christopher Hitchens vs. Christmas Cheer

259 implied HN points β€’ 24 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Religion Holiday Atheism Celebration Opinion
  1. A certain group believes atheists dislike Christmas, but data shows 85% of non-religious Americans still celebrate the holiday.
  2. Christopher Hitchens took a Grinch-like stance on Christmas, but atheists can find reasons to enjoy the season.
  3. There is a case for atheists to appreciate and participate in Christmas or other holiday traditions without religious beliefs.

David Hume vs. the UFO Whistleblower

379 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jul 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Skepticism Aliens Cover-up
  1. The writer discusses the possibility of the government concealing information about alien spacecraft, drawing parallels with David Hume's skepticism about miracles.
  2. David Grusch is mentioned as an Air Force officer possibly involved in what some see as a major cover-up.
  3. The post is available only to paid subscribers on Ben Burgis's Substack.

Historical Materialism in the 1990s

219 implied HN points β€’ 14 Jan 24
πŸ’Ύ History Marxism
  1. The author reviews the book "Reconstructing Marxism: Essays on Explanation and the Theory of History" by Erik Olin Wright, Andrew Levine, and Elliott Sober from 1992.
  2. The author met with other academics in a cocktail bar to discuss this book every Tuesday night for a few months.
  3. The content of the book and discussions focused on historical materialism in the 1990s.

The Big Announcement Post

659 implied HN points β€’ 27 Dec 22
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. Ben Burgis is starting a philosophy Substack and is excited to share philosophical content with his audience on a regular basis.
  2. He aims to continue his political writing while also incorporating more popular-level philosophy content into his work.
  3. The Substack, named 'Philosophy for the People,' will offer free essays initially, with an option to support and access all content later.

Jordan Peterson Thinks Atheists "Unconsciously" Worship Pan (UNLOCKED)

559 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Beliefs God Philosophy
  1. Despite Peterson's critiques of atheism, his own religious beliefs are unclear and seem to blend pragmatism with ambiguity.
  2. Peterson's views on truth suggest that he struggles to fully commit to asserting traditional Christian beliefs with certainty, indicating a disconnect between his philosophical beliefs and personal convictions.
  3. Struggling with defining his beliefs, Peterson's rhetoric on God appears more as a mix of naturalistic pantheism and ambiguous theological language rather than a clear-cut adherence to traditional religious doctrines.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Inequality

339 implied HN points β€’ 14 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Equality Socialism Justice
  1. The post discusses G.A. Cohen's luck egalitarianism, a dialogue with socialist philosopher Christine Sypnowich, and the focus of egalitarians on what to equalize.
  2. A forum in _Boston Review_ titled "Is Equal Opportunity Enough?" features a discussion on justice led by Christine Sypnowich.
  3. The post is for paid subscribers only, prompting a subscription to access the content.

Look Who's Talking: G.A. Cohen on Israeli Condemnations of Palestinian Terrorism

319 implied HN points β€’ 10 Sep 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Political Philosophy Moral dilemmas Critique
  1. G.A. Cohen questioned the equal right of everyone to condemn terrorist attacks, highlighting the complexity of moral standing in such situations.
  2. Cohen's analysis of Israeli-Palestinian conflict suggests that those responsible for injustices may lack the moral standing to condemn actions that result from the grievances they caused.
  3. The argument presents a thought-provoking analogy involving responsibilities and moral condemnations in a hypothetical scenario, challenging the notion of moral authority in certain situations.

The Westboro Baptist Solution to the Problem of Evil

319 implied HN points β€’ 07 May 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Beliefs
  1. The Westboro Baptist Church has a controversial approach to the problem of evil, but it is logically consistent in its own way.
  2. Some theodicies that appear less offensive may actually have logical inconsistencies compared to the Westboro Baptist approach.
  3. Megan Phelps-Roper's memoir 'Unfollow' provides insight into the early exposure to religious concepts in the Westboro Baptist Church.

Rorty vs. Marx vs. Proudhon: Is it a "Pity" that the Best Political Economist of the Nineteenth Century Majored in Philosophy?

239 implied HN points β€’ 26 Nov 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Marxism Critical Theory
  1. Some Marxists exaggerate the significance of the dialectical method, but Marx's Hegelian background did provide him with unique insights into capitalism.
  2. Rorty, Marx, and Proudhon each contributed distinct perspectives to political economy in the 19th century.
  3. The discussion around majoring in philosophy as a basis for becoming a political economist raises interesting questions about educational backgrounds.

Cohen vs. Trotsky: Is Marxism Without Dialectics Really Like a Clock Without a Spring?

239 implied HN points β€’ 05 Nov 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Marxism Critique Theory
  1. Marxism debates include the significance of the 'dialectical method' and if it's essential to the ideology.
  2. There's a discussion on whether Marxism can do without dialectics or if it's a crucial aspect.
  3. Understanding the relationship between Hegel's dialectical approach and Marxism is a key focus in analyzing theoretical differences.