What Is Called Thinking? $5 / month

What Is Called Thinking? explores the intersections of philosophy, religion, culture, and technology, questioning modern conventions and encouraging deep reflection. It discusses the impacts of societal shifts, the relevancy of liberal arts, the challenges of secularism, and the essence of human action and belief, influenced by thinkers like Heidegger.

Philosophy Religion Culture Technology Liberal Arts Secularism Human Action Intellectual Virtues

The hottest Substack posts of What Is Called Thinking?

And their main takeaways

The Illegible Real

53 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Epistemology Wisdom Education Metaphysics
  1. Tacit knowledge, or understanding gained from experience, is very important and can't always be explained by rules or theories. It's like how a farmer knows their land or a musician feels the right moment to improvise.
  2. The world often values what can be measured and categorized, but this can miss the deeper, lived knowledge that guides real-life decisions. There's more to learning than just reading books or following formal education.
  3. In a future filled with data and technology, the ability to mix both formal knowledge and experiential wisdom will be really valuable. It's important to recognize the strengths and limitations of both types of knowledge.

Box # 8

13 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Education Literature Philosophy Politics Technology
  1. Confidence in higher education has dropped a lot in recent years. Many people worry that colleges are too liberal and not preparing students for real jobs.
  2. Workplace politics are a big part of any job. Depending on the company, you might spend anywhere from 25% to 50% of your time dealing with office politics.
  3. Dostoevsky is gaining popularity on social media, showing a shift in what people are interested in today. It seems like deeper themes are resonating with a lot of people.

Box #7

18 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Theology Mind Ethics Literature
  1. Expertise is not just about having more knowledge; it's about knowing how to organize that knowledge effectively, a skill known as chunking.
  2. As software development becomes easier for AI, university professors need to prove why their teaching is still valuable or risk being replaced by technology.
  3. Finding deeper meaning in life is important; comfort and ease can lead to a lack of purpose, so striving for something greater is crucial.

Box #6

10 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Theology Aesthetics Poetry Literature Religion Creativity
  1. Tyler Cowen and Ross Douthat discuss religion, highlighting the difference between viewing it as psychological vs. recognizing genuine experiences of the divine. They agree that our deeper longing for meaning persists even in a scientific world.
  2. Katherine Boyle mentions that aesthetics in business are important today, as people value intangibles like talent and style over just physical assets. She points out that companies like Apple thrive on a strong aesthetic, unlike others that focus on frugality.
  3. John Ashbery's poetry suggests that creativity comes from making mistakes, not avoiding them. This idea shows that wandering or 'erring' can lead to valuable creative outcomes.

Box #5

13 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Dialogue AI Ethics Cultural Commentary Learning
  1. We should teach AI to teach us, so that they can learn from us too. This way, the line between their teaching and our learning will blur.
  2. Logic is important, but it’s also just the beginning. There’s a deeper layer of understanding, like metaphysics, that enriches our knowledge.
  3. Engaging in thoughtful dialogue is better than just talking alone. Healthy arguments can lead to growth, but it’s not always easy to find good conversations.
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Box #4

21 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics Mind Religion Aesthetics
  1. Being outraged online seems to be popular, even though it's not a nice feeling. People share outrage more than any other emotion, which might say a lot about our current social media habits.
  2. Our minds focus on what we find important, similar to how certain AI models operate. This brings to light how rituals and habits can shape our thinking and keep what matters most in our attention.
  3. There's a growing recognition that we all have a perspective on the future, even if we don't realize it. Discussions about technology and its impact hint at deeper societal issues that we need to consider.

Why No Cassandra of Hope?

42 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Epistemology Ethics Literature Mythology
  1. Cassandra represents the idea of being ignored while predicting disaster, like prophets in the Bible who warn others but are often mocked or disregarded.
  2. In literature, we see more examples of ignored warnings than of hopeful messages. It seems people find it easier to mock the messengers of doom than to accept hopeful visions.
  3. People who share positive messages often focus on small, gradual changes instead of significant, sudden improvements, which makes their voices less impactful in comparison to doom-laden warnings.

Unpacking My Digital Library

45 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Criticism Art Culture
  1. Curating and sharing links can connect different ideas and inspire thought. It's a fun way to mix academic work with popular culture.
  2. Communicating the truth requires care; it's not just about saying what you think, but also about making sure others understand you. This highlights the importance of good rhetoric.
  3. Having strong convictions can guide important decisions in life, like investing. Knowing when to be passionate and when to be calm is a valuable skill.

Box #2

34 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Media Mythology Art
  1. Jordan Peterson argues against subjectivism, discussing deep questions about God and meaning. He believes that simply seeing God as an idol can limit our understanding.
  2. The debate about the existence of mythological creatures, like dragons, raises important questions about our rationality. It suggests that how we view myths reflects our understanding of reality.
  3. Finding and sharing timeless, freeing ideas is essential for a good life. We should strive to help others discover what is truly lasting and liberating.

Box #3

24 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
📚 Literature Philosophy Poetry Academic writing Cultural Commentary
  1. Many students at top colleges struggle to read whole books, which raises questions about education standards. This seems surprising since getting into these schools is harder than ever.
  2. Happiness often comes from focusing on relationships instead of chasing it directly. Helping others and being there for them can lead to your own happiness.
  3. Understanding complex topics, like philosophy or ethics, requires deep thinking over many years. The journey can be challenging, but it offers a chance to make insightful contributions.

Religion is Social

120 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Conversion Meaning Judaism Christianity
  1. Aayan Hirsi Ali converted to Christianity for cultural and civilizational reasons, not just doctrine or creed.
  2. Religion can be based on social and relational motivations, like the story of Ruth converting to Judaism.
  3. Conversion to a religion can involve a combination of reasons, such as societal threats and the need for a way of life.

The Liberal Arts Are Dying Because Liberalism is Dying

189 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🎭️ Culture Liberal Arts Liberalism Education Philosophy Identity
  1. Negative capability, the ability to entertain doubt and uncertainty, is a virtue crucial for understanding and self-improvement.
  2. Liberal arts decline is linked to the unfashionability of liberalism, impacting the promotion of open-mindedness and critical thinking.
  3. True thinking and poetizing require clandestine nurturing, not easily measured by traditional standards, acknowledging the elusive nature of cultivating deeper intellectual virtues.

AI as Long Wall

128 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Technology Ethics Culture History
  1. AI will have a significant cultural and technological impact in the upcoming years.
  2. The risk of over-reliance on AI is the potential loss of diverse skills and knowledge.
  3. Diversification of skills and knowledge is essential to counterbalance the potential negative impacts of AI.

The Limits of Strategy

136 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Self-help Strategy Life
  1. Strategy has its limits because achieving goals can lead to an infinite regress.
  2. Avoid placing too much focus on short-term wins and instead consider long-term, noble aims.
  3. Inner peace and self-knowledge are essential to navigate the uncertainties of life strategies.

Curation Over Creation

101 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Religion Life
  1. In a world where AI can generate content, the value is in curating and arranging information.
  2. The importance of arrangement and curation in art, history, and literature is highlighted.
  3. Creating a meaningful life is about curating experiences and arranging them into an anthology.

Love The Work

74 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Religion Philosophy
  1. Loving work means valuing work for its own sake, not for status or power.
  2. It's important to care about the outcome of your efforts, not just the process.
  3. Work can be any activity that betters your situation, not just what you do for pay.

Priest vs. Prophet

42 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality
  1. Leaders often hold conflicting roles and responsibilities, like priests, prophets, and kings.
  2. Priests focus on peace-making and entertainment, seeking compromise and moderation.
  3. Prophets engage in truth-telling, often with a challenging message and a unique style.

All is Water

80 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Existentialism Ethics Epistemology Religion
  1. There used to be a quest for a grand theory of everything, but that's less common now.
  2. Philosophy needs to remain tentative and open to falsification.
  3. Different thinkers approach the idea of totalizing theories in various ways, from seeking consensus to celebrating uniqueness.