The hottest Critical Theory Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

What Socrates Can Teach Marxists about Justice

The Take (by Jon Miltimore) • 257 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Justice can be seen as just the interest of those in power, but this idea is challenged by the belief in natural law, which says that rights come from a higher authority and are not just human-made rules.
  2. The belief that justice is defined by who has power, like that of Karl Marx, contrasts sharply with the view that justice is linked to truth and moral principles.
  3. Understanding what someone thinks about justice can reveal a lot about their political ideas, like whether they believe in equality under the law or that power should dictate what is just.

The Crisis of Modernity and Liberalism, with the Fourth Political Theory and Eurasianism as the Solution

Glenn’s Substack • 619 implied HN points • 26 Sep 24
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Modernity and liberalism are criticized for focusing too much on individualism and reason, which Dugin believes disconnects people from their cultural and spiritual roots. He wants to emphasize collective identities, traditions, and faith.
  2. Dugin proposes a 'fourth political theory' as a new way of thinking about politics that values family, religion, and humanity's deeper nature. He argues it's a response to the limitations of existing ideologies like liberalism, fascism, and communism.
  3. Eurasianism is seen as a way for different civilizations to work together while appreciating their unique identities. Dugin believes this approach can create better international relations and is a chance for a new global understanding as Western dominance fades.

Difficulties with Fanon

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 1298 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Fanon's ideas challenge us to think about violence differently. While some celebrate violence for self-realization, it's important to question the implications this has on society.
  2. Fanon expands Marxism beyond Europe, highlighting social issues in post-colonial contexts. His approach forced people to rethink modernization and the cultural complexities within different societies.
  3. Independence changed the narrative for many African countries, allowing them to create their own history. This agency is crucial, even if challenges like inequality and poor governance remain.

Let Us Attack "Continental Philosophy" & Philosophers!: Thursdays in Academia

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 146 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Many bad Continental philosophers substitute rhetoric for argument, using moves like “the map is not the territory” to reject opposing views and then assert their own map without giving reasons.
  2. Passages like sweeping claims about marriage show declarative, uncompelling assertions presented as truths rather than arguments, often reflecting patriarchal blind spots or personal psychology.
  3. To explain these rhetorical patterns, it’s often more useful to look at the thinkers’ psychological lives and institutional contexts than to search the texts alone, though some Continental work (e.g., careful Foucaultian analyses) can still offer real insight.

Chartbook 343 : Polycrisis & the critique of capitalocentrism.

Chartbook • 2131 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Critical Theory
  1. The world is facing a lot of big problems at the same time, called a 'polycrisis'. This means we need to think differently about how to solve these issues because they are more complicated than before.
  2. Going back to older theories from the early 20th century might not help us understand today's challenges. We risk missing out on the uniqueness of our current time by focusing too much on these past ideas.
  3. We need to acknowledge that our current situation has the potential for serious crises, like climate change and political tensions. It’s important to stay flexible in our thinking to cope with the uncertainty of the future.
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Postmodernism and the Failure of Moral Triage

Peter Boghossian • 1061 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. The problem with peer review in academia is highlighted by the replication crisis in fields like psychology and biological sciences.
  2. Rejecting the ideas of science can lead to dangerous notions like limiting access to truth based on immutable characteristics.
  3. The shift towards woke ideology in education and social psychology has contributed significantly to the propagation of postmodernist ideas.

American Fiction and The Holdovers

Castalia • 299 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Critical Theory
  1. The movie 'American Fiction' challenges the current view of wokeness in art. It argues that reducing people to simple racial stereotypes limits true understanding and representation of complex human experiences.
  2. In 'The Holdovers,' the characters struggle with awkwardness and emotional distance. The film shows how hard it can be for people to connect, especially men, and it avoids the usual happy endings found in many films.
  3. Both films show the importance of honesty in storytelling. 'American Fiction' dives into the messy realities of life, while 'The Holdovers' highlights the idea that sometimes keeping things private can be a way to protect oneself.

Rorty vs. Marx vs. Proudhon: Is it a "Pity" that the Best Political Economist of the Nineteenth Century Majored in Philosophy?

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 239 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Some Marxists exaggerate the significance of the dialectical method, but Marx's Hegelian background did provide him with unique insights into capitalism.
  2. Rorty, Marx, and Proudhon each contributed distinct perspectives to political economy in the 19th century.
  3. The discussion around majoring in philosophy as a basis for becoming a political economist raises interesting questions about educational backgrounds.

The Buckingham Manifesto for a Post-Progressive Social Science

Unsafe Science • 122 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🚌 Education Critical Theory
  1. The social sciences have become too focused on progressive ideals, which can stifle diverse viewpoints and limit research. It's important to promote openness to different ideas and approaches in these fields.
  2. A fresh perspective called 'Critical Woke Studies' is needed to understand the rise of wokeness in academia and its impact on society. This study can help uncover the historical roots and motivations behind this ideology.
  3. There is a call for a new type of university or research center that values free inquiry and diverse opinions. This new approach could help rebuild trust in academic institutions and foster productive discussions.

Essay Club: The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes

Mind & Mythos • 99 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
📚 Literature Critical Theory
  1. The idea of 'The Death of the Author' suggests that once a piece of writing is out in the world, it's not just about the author's intention anymore. Readers can find many meanings in it, beyond what the author might have intended.
  2. By removing the author from the center of a text, we open up new interpretations and dialogues. This means that literature becomes a space where multiple voices can interact and create a richer understanding.
  3. This perspective challenges the traditional view of authorship, making it possible for everyone's interpretation to hold value. It emphasizes the importance of the reader's role in creating meaning from a text.

Can We Disrupt the Age of Disruption?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Technology and AI are not neutral; they actively shape human attention, memory, and consciousness and can act as both a poison and a cure.
  2. Right now the harmful side dominates: digital networks and algorithms drive attention collapse, addiction, political manipulation, and the erosion of shared meaning.
  3. The remedy is deliberate transformation—building new forms of care, collective knowledge, and social organization to harness technology for renewal instead of entropy.

The Temptations of Carl Schmitt

The Upheaval • 816 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Critical Theory
  1. Carl Schmitt's ideas have made a resurgence in disaffected political circles, especially on the right, reflecting a trend of his concepts becoming more mainstream.
  2. Schmitt's study of political chaos in post-World War I Germany offers insights into today's political, cultural, and spiritual upheavals.
  3. Schmitt's concept of 'friend-enemy distinction,' the central domain of politics, ties into today's identity politics and struggles for power.

We are the fireflies in the dark

storyvoyager • 6 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. We are like fireflies in the dark, a brief but real expression of life in the universe right now.
  2. Modern techno-capitalist systems measure human worth by productivity and energy use, turning life into a commodity.
  3. That logic creates a hierarchy where the most ambitious use others and the least ambitious are used, leading to exploitation.

Fragmentation of the self.

Default Wisdom • 236 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Fragmentation of self is influenced by historical shifts like the intensification of division of labor starting in the 17th century.
  2. Language, communication, and individualism are interconnected as seen through McLuhan's views on the power of language in shaping individuality.
  3. Material advancements like the printing press and the telegraph have played a significant role in shaping societal fragmentation and the way we perceive the world.

Burn Academia Down?

Unsafe Science • 45 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🚌 Education Critical Theory
  1. There are concerns about censorship in academia that need to be addressed. People should be able to share and discuss ideas freely without fear of being shut down.
  2. Some believe that the current academic system is failing and might require a complete overhaul. It's suggested that starting fresh could lead to better ideas and practices.
  3. Engaging with diverse perspectives can enhance the learning experience. Encouraging different viewpoints can help improve critical thinking and innovation.

In Defence of Power

Mon0’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Critical Theory
  1. Power is often seen as bad, but it can actually be used for good. For example, parents guiding their children or the legal system keeping society safe are just uses of power.
  2. Many people wrongly believe that the powerful are always the oppressors. In reality, sometimes the less powerful can also act in harmful ways towards others.
  3. Using power requires responsibility and intelligence. Instead of fearing it, we should learn how to use power wisely to make positive changes in our lives and communities.

The Anti-American Psychological Association

Unsafe Science • 134 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Critical Theory
  1. The APA has shifted towards Critical Social Justice, moving away from traditional social justice principles.
  2. Critical Theory aims to dismantle western society through attacking societal components like education, media, and religion.
  3. Psychological practice should focus on individual dignity and value, rejecting radical political ideologies that deny universal humanity.

Transduction of the Tragipanic

Covidian Æsthetics • 4 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Critical Theory
  1. Theatre is like a lab for experiences, where ideas about reality are tested in performances. It helps explore how we perceive the world around us.
  2. Cancer is a central theme in certain plays, not as a character but as a force affecting everything. It represents deeper struggles within the stories.
  3. Understanding the way these plays work requires looking for hidden meanings and connections. The stories are more complex than they first appear.

Annebel Breij: Capitalist Realism Meme Book

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎭️ Culture Critical Theory
  1. Memes can be a powerful form of communication and expression in online spaces.
  2. Creating and understanding memes can provide insights into critical theories and unconventional ideas.
  3. Translating memes correctly requires a deep understanding of theory and can lead to a greater appreciation of the knowledge they contain.