The hottest Beliefs Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Which Side Are You On?

David Friedman’s Substack • 323 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Ideology Debate Beliefs
  1. The fundamental question is not whose side you are on, but what is the right answer.
  2. There should be a focus on evaluating ideas as right or wrong, rather than labeling individuals as good or evil.
  3. Differences in political views often stem from disagreements on facts and outcomes, rather than intentions or morality.

Of Experts And Echo Chambers

Good Reason • 284 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🔬 Science Medicine Research Experts Institutions Beliefs
  1. Experts can be wrong and have been wrong throughout history, like medieval doctors with bloodletting.
  2. Expert communities often become echo chambers, reinforcing shared beliefs and resisting change.
  3. Challenging experts and subjecting beliefs to testing, even within scientific-minded groups, is important to avoid falling into the trap of groupthink.

There Are More of Us Than You Think

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 118 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Relationships Beliefs Community Well-being
  1. The taboo around vaccine skepticism may be illusory, as there are more individuals who share similar views than commonly believed.
  2. Navigating discussions on controversial topics, like vaccine skepticism, can be a challenge in personal relationships, including while dating.
  3. Expressing views on sensitive topics, like vaccine skepticism, may lead to finding like-minded individuals and help reduce feelings of isolation and marginalization.
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A Logical Case For Throwing the Fear Out

Tessa Fights Robots • 38 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Destiny Spirituality Beliefs Free will Self-discovery
  1. Courage is innate, and the key is to find and use it, reminding ourselves that we are not accidents or victims, but capable of overcoming challenges and making the world more beautiful.
  2. Reflecting on the contrast between empowering beliefs and institutional views can help us understand the impact of framing human potential negatively.
  3. Facing pain can lead to uncovering our gifts and transforming it into love, as we remember our worth and spiritual validity, ultimately diminishing the power of fear.

Comparing Theism and Naturalism

Bentham's Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Theism Beliefs Logic
  1. A detailed comparison was made between theism and naturalism with various odds ratios considered.
  2. The conclusion presented was that theism is significantly more plausible than naturalism, with a ratio of 468,000.
  3. The importance of evidence, arguments, and priors in determining the probability of theism was emphasized.

The Norse Afterlife Part I: How to Get to Valhalla

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 39 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Afterlife Rituals Gods Beliefs
  1. Dying in battle does not guarantee entry to Valhalla, as there are exceptions in Norse mythology where individuals who died outside of combat still ended up in Odin's afterlife army.
  2. The idea of giving oneself or being given to Odin through rituals involving spears or other means is a recurring theme in Norse beliefs, possibly indicating a form of dedication or initiation necessary for entry into Valhalla.
  3. The concept of who gets sent to Valhalla or Hel is complex and not solely based on dying in battle, with various factors like dedications, rituals, and individual circumstances playing a role in determining one's afterlife destination.

Organic & compositus belief

Philosophy bear • 69 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Beliefs Ideologies Thinking Revision Criticism
  1. Beliefs can be organic or compositus, with different approaches to spreading and defending them
  2. Organic beliefs are more open and less defensive than compositus beliefs, making them better at adapting and working with other ideas
  3. Compositus beliefs can lead to group fragmentation under tough times, while organic beliefs are more adaptable and open to revision

Do Not Go to a Vampire Bar with a Bunch of Baptists or Hunt Vampires in Mexico

Think Future • 79 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Mythology Church Meditation Prayer
  1. Refusing to adapt and move forward can lead to being trapped in the past, like a vampire unable to cross thresholds or change.
  2. Fear of the future can darken your soul, so embrace change and be open to new eras.
  3. Avoid living in nostalgia or too much fear of the unknown; stay present and prepared for what lies ahead.

Bubble Explainer Article: Housefire Beliefs

Resident Contrarian • 488 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Religion Christianity Atheism Morality
  1. Some arguments can be troublesome because they are specific but associated with bigger, contentious topics.
  2. Beliefs are complex - people may not always act in line with their beliefs, and interpretations of texts can vary.
  3. Challenges to religious beliefs may request believers to treat their beliefs as if they were imaginary, leading to conflicts and complexities.

Secret forces—The I Ching and matters of the heart

The Pamplet • 30 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Philosophy Spiritual Practices Ancient Wisdom
  1. Engaging with text in interactive ways can lead to significant improvement in skills and creativity, transcending just passive reading.
  2. Historically, various cultures placed importance on the heart's role in cognition and emotions, indicating a deep interconnection between heart and brain.
  3. Listening to the subtle impulses of the heart, following them confidently, can lead to originality, satisfaction, and a sense of quiet joy.

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

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 559 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
⛪ 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.

Down the wormhole...

aproposofnothing • 58 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Religion Beliefs Ancient Civilizations Symbols
  1. Parasites like Toxoplasma gondii can cause neurological issues and schizophrenia in humans, so it's important to fight off worms.
  2. Myths of heroes battling worms or serpents are prevalent in various cultures, symbolizing order vs chaos and death.
  3. Serpents and worms have deep mythological significance, tying into ancient civilizations, biblical stories, and even symbolizing foresight and health.

The Westboro Baptist Solution to the Problem of Evil

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 319 implied HN points • 07 May 23
⛪ 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.

Ontological Intervention

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ontology Reality Beliefs Civilization
  1. The main reason for the underperformance of Leftist movements is a lack of funding compared to the Right, who use their resources to shape public opinion through think tanks and covert operations.
  2. To bring about systemic change, a shift in paradigm at the individual level is crucial, as demonstrated by the power of psychedelics in sparking a cultural reconsideration and leading to a psychedelic renaissance.
  3. A new ontology emphasizing monistic or analytic idealism offers the potential to redefine society's underlying paradigm, providing a pathway for transforming civilization and addressing pressing global challenges.

Restore Your Mythological Connection

YouTopian Journey • 15 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Beliefs Mythology
  1. Restoring your mythological connection is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. It provides timeless wisdom and guidance for navigating life's complexities.
  2. Myths offer inspiration and creativity, empowering individuals to embark on their own hero's journey of self-realization and growth.
  3. Tapping into the symbolic language of myth helps unlock creative potential, dream new possibilities, and live a life true to one's inner myth.

Norse vs. Germanic

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Religion Languages Traditions Beliefs
  1. Germanic refers to language, culture, and religion, not just bloodlines, race, or ethnicity.
  2. Norse, a subset of Germanic, is a term for medieval Scandinavian speakers of North-Germanic languages.
  3. Germanic mythology shares similarities with other Indo-European traditions, like the thundergod motif, but divergences in stories can lead to variations in how gods are perceived.

Radical Occultism

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 16 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Occultism Transcendence Religions Beliefs
  1. The author discusses the need for a shift away from materialism and towards a worldview that includes meaning, purpose, mystery, and transcendence.
  2. Many individuals are turning to traditional religions due to a lack of community structures and feelings of despair caused by the current state of the world.
  3. Exploring the idea that the universe is made of consciousness rather than matter opens up possibilities like reincarnation and helps make sense of the diverse occult and esoteric cosmologies found in different cultures.

Limits to Exponential Growth

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Society Beliefs Experts Urban living Collapse
  1. Population growth is limited by the amount of available food, especially due to the massive inputs of fossil fuels required by the industrial farming system.
  2. Many people struggle to fully comprehend the likelihood of the collapse of our technologically advanced civilization and are unprepared for it.
  3. It is a common belief that there are secret groups of experts controlling the world, but the reality is more uncertain and complex, with no one truly having all the answers.

Why the Jews?

Skeptic • 59 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Psychology Beliefs Extremism Ideology
  1. Anti-Semitism and xenophobia may stem from a need for enemies.
  2. Political extremists hold absolute certainty in their beliefs and exhibit open hatred towards opponents.
  3. The psychology of belief systems shows the importance of having enemies to define causes and create unity.