The hottest Chinese Philosophy Substack posts right now

Ancient Chinese political debates still shape modern Chinese thinking and offer insight into pressing issues like family law, corruption, cultural policy, and military choices.
Different schools—Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Mohism—present competing answers (for example harmony vs freedom, ritual vs law, culture vs material welfare, realism vs idealism) that help frame policy trade-offs.
Framing these debates as lively, contemporary dialogues makes their ideas easy to grasp and shows practical relevance, while leaving room for debate and differing interpretations.

Mòzǐ believed that political corruption in ancient China came from leaders acting in their own self-interest. He thought that if everyone cared about the community instead of just themselves, society would improve.
He started a movement called 'inclusive care' that focused on helping others and making decisions for the benefit of all. This idea gained support among the middle class, leading to initiatives that helped the poor and promoted social welfare.
Mòzǐ's efforts led to changes in government where more community-minded leaders emerged. His teachings inspired reforms that improved society, but ultimately Confucianism became the dominant philosophy in China.

Caleb Ontiveros shares recommendations for readings on Seneca, Plato, and Chinese philosophy.
The readings cover topics such as friendship, the meaning of life, and challenging Western ideas.
Seneca's works, Socratic dialogues, and ancient Chinese philosophy offer diverse perspectives on life and society.

The Spring and Autumn period in Chinese history reflects a time of transition and decline of central power.
Xunzi offers insights on power, governance, and human nature, advocating for self-cultivation and practical solutions in politics.
Xunzi's philosophy combines elements of Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, emphasizing learning, ritual, meritocracy, and adaptability.

Confucianism focuses on individual human will and the importance of self-cultivation. By improving ourselves, we can create better households and, eventually, a well-ordered society.
In a complex world, we need a flexible understanding of ideas, not just rigid systems. We can achieve good outcomes by recognizing patterns and adapting, rather than getting stuck in one way of thinking.
Xunzi teaches us that we must honor tradition while also being open to new ideas. A good leader uses wisdom to harmonize different ways of thinking and create a thriving society.

Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity: