Going Awol

Going Awol examines a range of philosophical, religious, and cultural topics through a critical lens. It critiques movements like Effective Altruism, debates dietary habits, analyzes political ideologies, and explores religious beliefs with a focus on Hinduism. It also scrutinizes academic practices, ethical dilemmas, and societal norms.

Philosophy Religion Culture Diet and Health Political Ideologies Academic Practices Ethical Dilemmas Societal Norms

The hottest Substack posts of Going Awol

And their main takeaways

every anti-EA thinkpiece

838 implied HN points β€’ 23 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Media Ethics Arts Society History
  1. Effective Altruism focuses on maximizing utility by prioritizing certain causes over others, even equating enjoyment of art with eating a sandwich.
  2. EAs have shifted towards 'longtermism', emphasizing the importance of future generations and sometimes at the cost of present concerns like supporting independent journalism.
  3. Effective Altruism has had a controversial history, including issues of racism, and it quantifies the value of various aspects of human life against the utility of saving shellfish.

nobody ever listens to me

419 implied HN points β€’ 01 May 24
  1. The author feels ignored and frustrated because no one listens to their opinions, especially regarding drug use and societal issues.
  2. The author criticizes the decriminalization of drugs, using Portugal as an example and expressing concerns about the state of the country.
  3. The author expresses disappointment and resignation at the current state of affairs, feeling bored and unacknowledged in their efforts to share their viewpoints.

milk, meat, and eggs healthier than VEGAN food, major study finds

359 implied HN points β€’ 27 Apr 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Nutrition Veganism Diet Meat
  1. A major study found that milk, meat, and eggs are considered healthier than vegan food, recommending a balanced approach to diet.
  2. The study involved comparing diets of omnivores and vegan individuals, showing surprising results that challenge common beliefs about vegan diets.
  3. Different diets work for different people, and it's important to focus on a balanced approach to nutrition rather than following strict dietary ideologies.

"IS THAT TRUE???"

239 implied HN points β€’ 06 May 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Debate Beliefs Morality
  1. Questioning the existence of truth leads to a thought-provoking conversation about belief systems and faith.
  2. The discussion shifts to the concept of creation and the role of God in the origin of life and morality.
  3. The scenario presented showcases how personal beliefs and moral choices can influence one's stance on religious views.

The Evidence for Hinduism

239 implied HN points β€’ 30 Apr 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Hinduism Karma Reincarnation Vegetarianism
  1. Hinduism is supported by its wide popularity and old age, positioning it as a major contender among world religions.
  2. Considering the anthropic principle and philosophical arguments, there is a case for the concepts of reincarnation and karma within Hinduism.
  3. Observing Hinduism's stance on vegetarianism, ritualism, and polytheism, it aligns well with expectations based on religious experiences and common consent evidences.
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The Common Consent Argument for Hinduism

179 implied HN points β€’ 15 May 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief Gods
  1. When many people agree on something, it can provide some evidence for its truth, although not definitive proof.
  2. Widespread belief in God can be seen as some evidence for theism because it might indicate God would want people to believe in him for a relationship.
  3. Common consent reasoning supports animism more than monotheism, and favors Hinduism due to the broad belief in a High God, subordinate deities, and nature spirits.

A Thoughtful Response to My Case for Hinduism

159 implied HN points β€’ 11 May 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Hinduism Reincarnation Karma Free will
  1. The response to the case for Hinduism reflects deep engagement with Hindu theology and philosophy, offering insights on concepts like eternal condemnation, grace periods for mukti, and the nature of devatās.
  2. The Hindu perspective presented raises points of contention and clarification on theological aspects, such as the nature of devatās, reincarnation, and the concept of karma as accumulated over infinite lifetimes.
  3. The discussion around karma as not solely being based on desert, but as a complex interplay of past actions, sañcita karma, prārabdha karma, and āgāmi karma, shows a nuanced understanding of the concept within Hinduism.

The Braindead War on Perry Hendricks

319 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Bioethics Abortion Ethics Race Academic writing
  1. Some academics criticized Perry Hendricks without fully reading his work, showcasing the importance of engaging with content before forming opinions.
  2. Hendricks presented a conditional argument about abortion being wrong and its potential benefits in preventing morally questionable actions.
  3. While controversial, Hendricks' views touch on complex ethical debates such as moral luck and the historical context of organizations like Planned Parenthood.

Hallucination and Humour

159 implied HN points β€’ 29 Apr 24
πŸ˜‚ Humor Comedy Satire Philosophy Writing Culture
  1. Humor often arises from incongruity, where there's a mismatch between what's expected and what happens. In writing, overly incongruous humor might be mistaken for AI-generated content.
  2. The suspicion of AI-generated writing can discourage writers from using certain types of humor, creating an incentive to avoid being accused of cheating.
  3. As technology improves and AI becomes more sophisticated in generating content, it may lead writers to lean towards more sensible and less conspicuously incongruous humor.

Debating Bentham's Labradoodle

139 implied HN points β€’ 07 May 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Hinduism Religions Debate
  1. The debate discussed the evidence for Hinduism versus Christianity, with different perspectives on which religion is more probable.
  2. Various topics were explored in the discussion, such as an anthropic argument for Henotheism, resurrection evidence, and prior probability of incarnation.
  3. Both parties agreed on the concerning evidence: reincarnation for Christianity and resurrection for Hinduism.

Agnes Callard's Slavery Poll

239 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Debate Personal Identity
  1. Agnes Callard faced backlash for asking if it's better to suffer blamelessly than to live a nice life doing something morally horrifying.
  2. Critics questioned the timing and format of Callard's poll on slavery, suggesting it was inappropriate or limiting choices.
  3. Ayn Rand supporters like Gregory Salmieri criticized Callard's hypothetical scenario for being disconnected from actionable situations.

The Intrinsic Value of Consciousness

139 implied HN points β€’ 24 Apr 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Value Consciousness Aesthetics Beauty
  1. Intrinsic value is value something has for its own sake, like pleasure or achievement, while instrumental value is value something has as a means to an end, like money.
  2. Consciousness is considered instrumentally valuable as it is a prerequisite for many intrinsically valuable things like forming relationships, feeling happiness, and experiencing beauty.
  3. The aesthetic value of consciousness lies in its beauty and the wonder it inspires, as it is seen as sublime and intricately mysterious.

Why is Academic Writing so Bad?

179 implied HN points β€’ 28 Mar 24
🚌 Education Academic writing Philosophy
  1. One reason for bad academic writing is intentional complexity to ensure longevity and generate discussions and interpretations.
  2. Academic writing issues stem from language barriers, knowledge curse, insecurity, and lack of incentives for clear writing.
  3. Encouraging academics to focus on knowledge pursuit over personal legacy could help improve academic writing quality.

In Praise of Lying to Children

179 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Deception Children Truth Gratitude
  1. The debate about lying to children, including about Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy, is a recurring one.
  2. Different ethical arguments are presented, like the Consequentialist Argument and the Non-Consequentialist Argument, discussing the impact of such lies on trust, critical thinking, and moral development.
  3. While some argue that lying to children about these characters can impede moral development and gratitude expression, others suggest that the magic added to a child's life through these stories can be a positive influence.

Why I'm Not a Christian

99 implied HN points β€’ 18 May 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Christianity
  1. The prior probability of Christianity is low due to factors like the trinity, incarnation, and atonement, making it intellectually challenging to fully embrace.
  2. The philosophical arguments around the trinity, incarnation, and atonement in Christianity present logic and explanations that some find unconvincing or lacking.
  3. Pascal's Wager is considered as a factor in potentially adopting Christianity, yet personal reservations and considerations about other religions play a role in the decision-making process.

Meatball Ron

259 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Legislation Political Commentary
  1. Ron DeSantis supports banning lab-grown meat in Florida based on the idea that consumers need real meat and not fake alternatives.
  2. The ban on lab-grown meat in Florida is not solely about meat consumption but also about protection and upholding traditional practices.
  3. Prohibiting lab-grown meat may not be effective in meeting the demand for alternative products, and it could be wiser to let market forces influence consumer choices.

Hinduism Might Actually be True

199 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Hinduism Reincarnation Karma Vegetarianism
  1. Hinduism is widespread, with about 15% of the world's population and 1.2 billion members. Its popularity is considered evidence for its potential truth.
  2. Hinduism being the oldest living religion provides additional evidence for its truth, as important truths are expected to be available for longer in history.
  3. The philosophical ideas of reincarnation, karma, and theism, among others, in Hinduism are argued to be plausible and align with various philosophical questions.

"Is Taxation Theft?": The Huemer v. Goff Debate

119 implied HN points β€’ 18 Apr 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Debate Taxation Ethics
  1. The debate on whether taxation is theft between Michael Huemer and Philip Goff was evenly matched and informative.
  2. The dialogue sparked new perspectives and insights into the controversial topic of taxation.
  3. Engaging in thought-provoking debates can lead to a deeper understanding of complex issues like taxation.

Misquoting Darwin

139 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Philosophy Religion Evolution
  1. Charles Darwin expressed doubts about the reliability of human cognitive faculties, specifically in forming abstruse metaphysical and theological beliefs.
  2. Darwin's doubt should be understood in the context of his concerns about certain philosophical and religious convictions, rather than everyday beliefs.
  3. Apologists quoting Darwin out of context have misunderstood his doubts, leading to misconceptions about the scope of his concerns.

God and Deontology

219 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality
  1. The problem of evil questions why God would allow various evils in the world, leading to discussions on the existence of greater goods theodicy as a response.
  2. The idea of pre-existence, present in various religions, can help solve the deontological problem of evil by suggesting that individuals consented to their lives and suffering beforehand.
  3. Objections include concerns about the metaphysical impossibility of pre-existence, validity of consent for animals, and the impact of memory loss on consent, which are addressed through philosophical reasoning.

God's an Infinity, Not a Trinity

79 implied HN points β€’ 12 Apr 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Theology Religion Philosophy Beliefs God
  1. The Love Argument for the Trinity suggests that God's triune nature can be logically supported by the concept of perfect love, which would require more than one divine person.
  2. The Love Argument overlooks the idea of love for large groups, like football teams or countries, which could indicate the need for an infinite number of divine persons in God's being.
  3. Considering the Love Argument, it may make more sense to view God as an Infinity of divine persons rather than strictly a Trinity, as the concept of love can extend beyond three persons.

Kisses, Slaps, and Souls

179 implied HN points β€’ 14 Dec 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Metaphysics Personal Identity Dualism
  1. Substance Dualism posits that humans are made of two distinct substances - body and soul. The soul is considered the essential part that defines who we are.
  2. One objection to Substance Dualism questions how an immaterial soul, if essential, can be touched. A philosophical dialogue illustrating this objection is discussed.
  3. The objection is refuted through a clever dialogue between a Substance Dualist and someone who believes we are only bodies, highlighting linguistic nuances in how we perceive physical interactions.

Ayn Rand's Theory of Humour

99 implied HN points β€’ 02 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Humor
  1. Ayn Rand's theory of humor involves denying metaphysical importance to the subject of laughter, which may not fully explain all types of humor like puns.
  2. Humor may not always be present when metaphysical importance is denied, as shown by the example of a nervous laugh after being convinced by a philosophical argument.
  3. Analyzing humor involves identifying necessary and sufficient conditions, which Ayn Rand's theory may not fully encompass based on counterexamples like puns and philosophical discussions.

The Parthenon Marbles Should Not be Returned to Greece

79 implied HN points β€’ 26 Mar 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Diplomatic Relations
  1. There are arguments against returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, including the lack of clear cultural significance at the time of removal.
  2. Giving back the Marbles may not necessarily maximize overall utility due to potential impacts on aesthetics and education.
  3. The possession of the Marbles by the British Museum has caused diplomatic tensions between the UK and Greece, highlighting the need for diplomatic considerations in cultural disputes.

Mostly, Taxation isn't Theft

239 implied HN points β€’ 12 Apr 23
  1. Some libertarians argue taxation is theft, but the post explains why it may not be considered theft in most cases due to moral considerations.
  2. The argument explores various deontic constraints like property rights, conventions, and individual autonomy to show that taxation can be morally justified.
  3. The post distinguishes the justification for taxation in terms of political legitimacy from political obligation, and clarifies that supporting taxation for societal good does not necessarily justify other government actions.

Some Notes on Political Apology

119 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jan 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Apology Responsibility Morality Justice
  1. Voters often demand political apologies but don't always accept them, leading to a paradox. Despite this, there are valid reasons for demanding apologies even when acceptance is unlikely.
  2. Conditional apologies, though controversial, can still be considered genuine apologies as they reflect an acceptance of facts, remorse, a desire for improvement, and a commitment to change.
  3. Politicians sometimes apologize for historical events they weren't personally involved in to acknowledge narrative connections and prevent the risk of causing expressive harm by remaining silent.

How to Treat Conspiracy Theories

79 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Conspiracy Theories
  1. Conspiracy theories should not be dismissed outright; some may hold merit.
  2. Initial suspicion towards conspiracy theories is reasonable, but diving deep into evidence is crucial.
  3. Fantastical claims and gamification within conspiracy theories are reasons to approach them cautiously.

The Non-Identity Problem Cannot be Solved by Definition

79 implied HN points β€’ 15 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Solutions
  1. The non-identity problem arises from the ethical dilemma of how our choices impact the well-being of future individuals, including which specific individuals will exist to experience that impact.
  2. Philosophers have proposed alternative definitions of harm to tackle the non-identity problem, such as defining harm as making someone badly off or experiencing negative prudential value.
  3. A suggested strategy to address the non-identity problem involves rejecting harm-based solutions that lead to anti-natalism, emphasizing the importance of considering broader implications in philosophical deliberations.

Jewish Philosopher Responds to my Case for Hinduism

59 implied HN points β€’ 21 Mar 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Hinduism Christianity Islam Judaism Philosophy
  1. The author presented a Bayesian case for Hinduism, highlighting its key beliefs and unique aspects.
  2. A Jewish philosopher responded with points comparing Hinduism to other religions, raising questions about exclusivity and narratives.
  3. The discussion touched on the need for comprehensive philosophical arguments for Hinduism and the accommodation of other religions' teachings within Hinduism.

Dialogues on Psychophysical Harmony, Part 1

239 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Metaphysics Theism Naturalism Consciousness Harmony
  1. Psychophysical harmony is the observation that our mental states match up with the external, physical world in rationally appropriate ways.
  2. The existence of psychophysical laws, like gravity, governs the relationship between mental states and physical states, leading to harmony.
  3. On naturalism, the surprising nature of psychophysical harmony provides evidence against naturalism and potentially in favor of the theory that God exists.

One-Paragraph Book Reviews

179 implied HN points β€’ 26 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Biography Philosophy Religion Ethics History
  1. One-paragraph book reviews can provide insightful summaries of multiple books in a concise format.
  2. Different authors and philosophers offer unique perspectives on value theory, justice systems, and historical analysis.
  3. Book reviews can offer recommendations, insights, and critical analysis to help readers make informed decisions about what to read next.

The Fieriest Problem for Eternal Hell

139 implied HN points β€’ 19 Aug 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Theology Philosophy Religion
  1. Some people believe in the concept of eternal hell, where individuals are retributively punished for their earthly wrongdoings and can never leave.
  2. The 'Strong View of Hell' argues that sins against a being of infinite dignity, like God, deserve infinite punishment, leading to the belief that even small sins warrant infinite consequences.
  3. Critics of the Strong View of Hell point out logical inconsistencies, such as the problem of infinitely punishing individuals for finite wrongs and the moral implications of such eternal retribution.

Contra Perry Hendricks on Abortion

139 implied HN points β€’ 31 Aug 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Abortion Ethics Morality Intuition
  1. Both Kyle van Oosterum and Amos Wollen disagree with conclusions made by Perry Hendricks on the topic of abortion.
  2. There is a debate around the justification of coercing someone to provide bodily support, such as breastfeeding, in difficult circumstances.
  3. The opportunity costs and real-world implications of pregnancy play a significant role in discussions about the legality and morality of abortion.

Theism and Privacy

59 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Ethics Theology Belief God
  1. Some people are anti-theists who actively hope there is no God due to concerns about privacy being compromised if God knows everything about everyone.
  2. The belief that God's existence could lead to privacy violations is argued against by the idea that God, if morally good, would not misuse private information and could use it to benefit individuals.
  3. The discussion around privacy and theism raises questions about whether privacy violations are inherently bad and if a desire for total privacy, even from God, is rational.

Caplan's Definition of Feminism

119 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jul 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Feminism
  1. Feminism needs a clear definition to help people identify if they align with its principles.
  2. Common colloquial definitions of feminism are often trivial and fail to differentiate between feminists and non-feminists.
  3. Caplan's proposed definition of feminism is critiqued for not addressing the normative aspect of feminism and facing challenges in determining 'sufficient' prioritization of women's equality.

A Theist's Case for Atheism

59 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jan 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Atheism Debate
  1. The debate between theists and atheists should be settled by finding the best version of each belief and examining the evidence to see which aligns better with reality.
  2. The presence of various types of evil and suffering in the world poses challenges for the theistic belief in a perfect, loving creator.
  3. Moral dilemmas, psychological disorders, and animal suffering are highlighted as unexpected aspects of the world if a perfectly good, all-powerful God exists.

The Integrity Objection to Utilitarianism

119 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Morality Theory Critique Values
  1. Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness and minimizing pain, even if it means compromising personal integrity.
  2. The Integrity Objection argues that utilitarianism undervalues personal values, aspirations, and moral integrity, leading to unreasonable demands.
  3. Critics point out that utilitarianism may push individuals to act against their core values, showing flaws in the theory's approach to balancing consequences and personal integrity.