Capital Offences

Capital Offences explores diverse themes through the lens of literature, history, philosophy, and current events. It delves into interpretations of art, the complexities of legal systems, the impact of capitalism, and the philosophical underpinnings of modern society, often through the critique and analysis of various books and historical narratives.

Literature and Literary Analysis History and Historical Analysis Philosophy and Ethical Critique Economics and Capitalism Art and Cultural Critique Legal and Political Systems Technology and AI Policy Social Justice and Reparations

The hottest Substack posts of Capital Offences

And their main takeaways

From cradle to grave (derogatory)

99 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Disability Rights Public Policy Ethics
  1. It's concerning when people criticize the government's treatment of vulnerable groups but then support euthanasia for them. This shows a disconnect in how we value human life.
  2. The way healthcare systems, like the NHS, might judge the value of lives based on productivity raises serious ethical issues. It could lead to discrimination against those who are less 'productive'.
  3. We need to rethink our support for the NHS if it starts to prioritize cost savings over the dignity of individuals who are disabled or unwell. Supporting a better system means recognizing its potential flaws.

Sam Bankman-Fried and Shakespeare

79 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
  1. Sam Bankman-Fried didn't consider Shakespeare a genius due to statistical improbabilities.
  2. The more competition in art, the harder it is to make a lasting impact.
  3. Art should not be reduced to a game of winners and losers, but seen as a mutual endeavor and conversation.

Legal Terror

39 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
  1. The meaning of words like 'jihad' can be complex and lead to different interpretations.
  2. Austerity and new laws have increased policing, but selective enforcement still remains a challenge.
  3. Historical parallels show how laws can be selectively applied to maintain state power and control dissent.

Towards An AI Policy Reading List

19 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
  1. Existing approaches to AI policy have been focused either on technical challenges or guided by utilitarian ethics.
  2. Many tech founders and AI developers are influenced by utilitarianism in their approach to AI development.
  3. The reading list seeks to provide a broader perspective on AI policy, highlighting philosophical assumptions often overlooked in current discussions.

On reparations

19 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
  1. Reparations acknowledge the moral duty to redistribute wealth extracted from former colonies.
  2. Various approaches to reparations, such as exporting institutions or providing aid, pose challenges with unintended consequences.
  3. The complexity of addressing reparations involves grappling with historical injustices, fragile states, and the risks of perpetuating inequalities.
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Saul's Voltaire's Bastards

19 implied HN points • 02 May 21
  1. Saul criticizes the Enlightenment and the impact of reason in society.
  2. He warns about reason without an ethical framework leading to dangerous consequences.
  3. Saul's book serves as a cautionary tale about the potential societal pitfalls of relying solely on reason.

Madness Is Better Than Defeat.

19 implied HN points • 05 Mar 21
  1. The novel 'Madness is Better Than Defeat' is a self-conscious story with references to literary theory and post-modernism.
  2. The plot involves two teams in pre-war America searching for a Mayan temple, highlighting struggles with filmmaking and CIA involvement.
  3. The novel explores themes of imperialism, post-colonialism, and the struggle for self-control in a complex, anarchic world.

Foucault's Archaeology of Knowledge

0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 21
  1. Foucault's Archaeology of Knowledge focuses on the analysis used in his other works and criticizes attempts to reclaim a 'true' version of history.
  2. Foucault describes history, archaeology, and discourse as interwoven layers of disrupted sediments, emphasizing discontinuity over continuity.
  3. Decolonization efforts may struggle to create an all-encompassing narrative for marginalized groups, as Foucault suggests that true subjecthood reclamation is complex in a fractured world.

Deano against History.

0 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
  1. The Deano archetype signifies resistance to history by embracing an everyman identity.
  2. The Deano is not a real individual, but a representation of a common lifestyle choice and identity.
  3. The Deano's identity reflects a longing to resist time and history through pursuits like cosmetic procedures and consumerism.

Carter Malkasian's American War in Afghanistan.

0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 22
  1. Carter Malkasian's book offers a methodical and gripping account of the failures in the American War in Afghanistan.
  2. The book highlights the complexities of tribal loyalties, military intrigue, and state department intransigence in the war.
  3. Malkasian's analysis points to missed opportunities, internal divisions, and the lasting impact of American involvement in Afghanistan.

Abraham Heschel's Man is Not Alone (1951).

0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 21
  1. Abraham Heschel's book 'Man Is Not Alone' seeks to define religion from first principles.
  2. Heschel emphasizes the importance of wonder over doubt when thinking about the ineffable.
  3. The Bible, for Heschel, is not about man's vision of God, but rather God's vision of man.

Books, history, philosophy.

0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 21
  1. The author writes about books, history, and philosophy.
  2. The posts are 600-1000 words each weekend based on the author's weekly readings.
  3. Sign up to not miss the first issue and share with friends!

Robert Skidelsky, John Maynard Keynes: 1883-1946: Economist, Philosopher, Statesman

0 implied HN points • 09 Jul 21
  1. Skidelsky wrote an abridged biography of Keynes in 2013, emphasizing Keynesian economics after the 2008 crash.
  2. The biography struggles to balance Keynes' personal life, including his homosexuality, with his political and economic ideologies.
  3. The book reflects a wider crisis in the genre of biography when dealing with complex historical figures like Keynes.

Graeber's Debt: The First Five Thousand Years

0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 21
  1. David Graeber was a prominent anarchist anthropologist who believed in active anarchism and communal action.
  2. Graeber's book 'Debt' presents an anarchist history of the state, linking debt to social order throughout history.
  3. Graeber's work explores the deep connection between violence, state power, social order, and economic systems, challenging conventional historical narratives.

What Does Jeremy Think?

0 implied HN points • 20 May 21
  1. Jeremy Heywood had a successful career in the civil service and was well-regarded by many.
  2. The book about Jeremy's life presents a polished version of his story, focusing on his achievements.
  3. There are reflections on Jeremy's approach to his work and his role in modern Britain, raising questions about his impact.

Eugene McCarraher's The Enchantments of Mammon

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
  1. In modern capitalism, wealth and virtue are closely intertwined, with money becoming a marker of Christian virtue.
  2. Capitalism's enchantment roots stemmed from religious associations, leading to a belief that economic laws are divine legislation.
  3. Populist capitalism emphasized renewing the Protestant covenant of capitalist enchantment and played a significant role in the development of neoliberalism.

Nussbaum's The Cosmopolitan Tradition

0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 21
  1. Nussbaum critiques liberalism for failing to address ecological and material damage faced by the poor and the planet.
  2. She argues that the Cosmopolitan tradition ignores the material inequalities that differentiate individuals.
  3. Nussbaum proposes a Capabilities Approach that emphasizes justice with material aid and perception over intelligence.

Kass' The Beginning of Wisdom: Reading Genesis

0 implied HN points • 28 Mar 21
  1. Leon Kass emphasizes the importance of reading Genesis as a socio-political and philosophical text, not just a literal historical or religious one.
  2. Kass discusses the themes of rationalism, righteousness, and self-consciousness in Genesis, highlighting the consequences of seeking enlightenment and freedom.
  3. Through his anthropological lens, Kass critiques ordered societies and emphasizes the need to resist idolatry of state and nation to strive towards righteousness.