Wondering Freely

Wondering Freely, a Substack by Helen De Cruz, explores intersections of philosophy with diverse areas such as religion, art, politics, literature, and personal growth. The content ranges from intellectual analyses of societal trends to personal musings on productivity, the value of philosophy across different strata of society, and the impact of technology.

Philosophy Religion Art Politics Literature Personal Growth Technology Societal Trends Productivity Intellectual Analyses

The hottest Substack posts of Wondering Freely

And their main takeaways

A piece for Newton Day: Jacques Gallot's Chaconne for Newton's comet

79 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
  1. Jacques Gallot composed 'Chaconne la comète' depicting Newton's comet, visible in 1680, with a baroque lute.
  2. Newton utilized data on the comet's trajectory to verify Kepler's laws, referencing John Flamsteed's observations.
  3. The piece highlights the scholarly controversies Isaac Newton faced, beyond just the famous calculus dispute.

The Richness of reason IV: The influence of Native philosophies in Franciscus van den Enden's radical idea of egalitarian democracy

158 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
  1. Franciscus van den Enden proposed a radical idea of democracy influenced by Native American societies, emphasizing liberty, equality, and democratic decision-making.
  2. Van den Enden's emphasis on gender equality, equitable decision-making, and freedom of domination drew inspiration from Native American political structures.
  3. The influence of Native philosophies on early European thinkers like van den Enden challenges the erasure of non-Western contributions to Enlightenment thought.

Facing the cold truth with Mr Klein

119 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
  1. Facing historical truths, like the atrocities of the Holocaust, can be challenging for societies
  2. The movie 'Mr. Klein' explores the complexities of identity and complicity during World War II
  3. Denial of past atrocities, such as France's role in the Holocaust, has been a persistent challenge

Blessedness and the Zen road to affluence

178 implied HN points • 22 May 23
  1. Happiness is about being content with what is sufficient in life, not about accumulating more wealth or goods.
  2. Spinoza's concept of beatitude suggests that true happiness and blessedness come from virtue, knowledge, and freedom from the grip of passions.
  3. The 'Zen road to affluence' proposes that human material wants are limited, and by desiring less and living collectively, societies can achieve affluence with a lower standard of living.
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Heaven's Intent

158 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
  1. Teleological thinking, attributing purpose to objects and events, is a natural and prevalent aspect of human cognition studied by cognitive scientists and can be challenging to resist.
  2. Education levels and cultural influences can impact teleological thinking, with more education generally leading to less teleological reasoning.
  3. Teleological thinking can provide structure and understanding, but questioning and resisting it can also lead to a liberating perspective on one's life journey.

Be cautious! On writing philosophy on culture wars topics

138 implied HN points • 05 May 23
  1. Philosophy is not harmless and can be dangerous when applied to culture war topics. We should approach these topics with caution.
  2. There is value in discussing complex and difficult topics like race and gender, but it should be done carefully and responsibly.
  3. Engaging in philosophical discussions on contentious issues requires intellectual honesty and clarity while recognizing the potential danger and transformative power of our ideas.

The farmer across the street

119 implied HN points • 30 May 23
  1. Life lessons can be learned from unexpected sources, like a near-illiterate farmer who displayed wisdom through simplicity and hard work.
  2. Philosophy allows for collective exploration of meanings and insights, offering diverse perspectives on the human condition.
  3. Success in life isn't solely measured by external accomplishments, but also by a life well-lived, even if it's not conventionally successful.

Some philosophy of science reflections on Sabine Hossenfelder's video on trans kids

59 implied HN points • 03 May 23
  1. Science is not a neutral storehouse of facts; it is influenced by societal contexts, and scientists' biases and questions reflect broader societal issues.
  2. Science cannot always provide clear-cut answers or definitive truths, especially in complex social issues like gender identity; it requires consideration of various disciplines and individual experiences.
  3. The analogy of being left-handed does not neatly apply to issues of gender identity; policy decisions should involve a comprehensive understanding of science, societal factors, and individual perspectives.

Contemplative reading

59 implied HN points • 02 May 23
  1. Contemplative reading involves slowly digesting texts and allowing time for reflection and deep understanding.
  2. The concept of firstness in reading involves approaching texts with a sense of wonder and examining them as if for the first time, challenging preconceived notions.
  3. Embracing slow reading and imparting the joy of contemplative reading to others, especially students, can bring immense satisfaction and understanding in philosophical exploration.

Own voice, AI, and authenticity

39 implied HN points • 17 May 23
  1. AI cannot truly replicate authentic minority voices because authenticity is deeply tied to lived experience and feelings, which AI lacks.
  2. Authenticity, as defined by existentialist thinkers like Beauvoir and Fanon, involves harmonizing one's past and future while staying true to individual concerns.
  3. To maintain authenticity, there's a need to focus on serious, paid magazine writing rather than engaging in a race to the bottom, and to avoid using minority identities as mere branding tools.

The Richness of Reason - part 1: for Marin Mersenne, all music is math rock

1 HN point • 29 Jun 23
  1. The Enlightenment was more than just embracing reason, it was also about challenging the limitations and exploring varied concepts like the relationship between science and religion.
  2. Music theory in the Enlightenment went beyond just sounds, delving into the connections between music, emotions, morality, and even astronomy.
  3. Enlightenment thinkers, like Marin Mersenne, saw music as a tool that could calm emotions, guide individuals to virtue, and reflect the harmony in the universe, showcasing a holistic approach to blending science, math, the humanities, and music.

Coming soon

0 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
  1. There is a new blog coming soon by Helen De Cruz on Substack.
  2. The blog is called 'Wondering Freely,' and invites readers to subscribe.
  3. The post shares a link to Helen De Cruz's Substack profile for more details.