The hottest Critical Thinking Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

Student Assessment in the Age of AI

In My Tribe β€’ 501 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jun 25
🚌 Education Assessment AI Integration Teaching Methods Critical Thinking
  1. AI can help monitor student assessments and make cheating harder. By having someone supervise, universities can ensure students aren't using AI to cheat during tests.
  2. Interviews can be a better way to assess students than traditional exams. They allow professors to see how well students understand important concepts and let students explain their reasoning.
  3. Using AI to conduct these interviews can be efficient and consistent. This way, professors can evaluate a large number of students fairly without getting overwhelmed by grading.

Yes, Arguments Stand Or Fall Based On Their Merits But The Messenger Still Matters And If You Allow Resentful People Into Your Head, You’ll Be Fooled Into Carrying Their Rage As Your Own

Rob Henderson's Newsletter β€’ 1496 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jun 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Logic Rhetoric Critical Thinking Dialogue
  1. Arguments should be evaluated based on their strength, but who presents them also matters. It's important to think about the source of the message.
  2. If you let angry or resentful people influence you, you might start to feel their anger too. It's easy to take on emotions that aren’t yours if you’re not careful.
  3. Being mindful of who you listen to can help you avoid unnecessary negativity. Surrounding yourself with positive influences can lead to a healthier mindset.

The Knowledge Illusion

In Bed With Social β€’ 416 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 24
🚌 Education Learning Knowledge Technology AI Critical Thinking
  1. AI can provide quick answers, but this doesn't lead to real understanding. It's important to engage in learning actively to truly grasp the knowledge.
  2. The value of knowledge is changing with technology. While access to information is easier now, it can lead to shallow thinking if we rely on AI too much.
  3. Learning should be about growth, not just getting answers. We should use AI to inspire deeper questions and foster our critical thinking instead.

A place where knowledge is ours for the taking.

The Common Reader β€’ 3508 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Critical Thinking Inquiry
  1. Socrates had doubts about his life's work before he died, showing that even great thinkers question their choices. This makes us think about whether we feel we are doing enough in our own lives.
  2. Agnes Callard emphasizes the importance of dialogue and inquiry in understanding life. She believes that discussing tough questions helps us live better and make meaningful choices.
  3. Living philosophically means constantly examining our beliefs and decisions. This can be hard for people to accept, especially when those beliefs challenge what’s considered normal.

The Anarchist and the Hockey Stick

Experimental History β€’ 14669 implied HN points β€’ 03 Dec 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Scientific Method Epistemology Critical Thinking
  1. Science doesn't follow a strict method; different ideas can lead to breakthroughs. This means that sometimes crazy or unconventional ideas can be just as valid as the more accepted ones.
  2. Not all scientific research that follows traditional rules leads to useful discoveries. In fact, some important breakthroughs came from researchers who ignored the 'rules' or took risks.
  3. It's important to question what we think we know about science. The process of discovery often involves challenging old beliefs and being open to new, even silly-sounding theories.
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There Are No Alternative Facts: Some Rules For Discerning Reality In This Hallucinogenic Hellscape of Misinformation

Welcome to Garbagetown β€’ 1111 implied HN points β€’ 10 Oct 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Misinformation Critical Thinking Media influence Political culture Public Discourse
  1. Misinformation can feel so real that it blurs the lines between fantasy and reality. It's important to recognize that not everything we hear is actually true.
  2. When evaluating bizarre claims, a good question to ask is if believing them would make life much easier or more exciting. If so, it's likely not true and just ridiculous.
  3. People may strongly believe in outrageous ideas and act seriously on them, but we should remain critical and cautious about what we accept as reality.

25 Useful Ideas for 2025

The Prism β€’ 877 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jan 25
🚌 Education Learning Psychology Critical Thinking Personal Development Cognitive Science
  1. Being too focused on what we hate in politics makes us unhappy. Instead, we should think about what we stand for and what we can support positively.
  2. Markets and services can start off great for users but may turn worse as they become more focused on profits over their customers. We should be aware of this shift in priorities.
  3. To truly learn something well, we should try to teach it. Teaching others helps deepen our understanding and makes information stick better.

College-for-All Means Homework-for-All

Five’s Substack β€’ 1358 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jul 24
🚌 Education Higher education Student life Work-life balance Time management Critical Thinking
  1. Many college students have a lot of work and study to do outside of class, making their schedule very busy. It's common for students to work part-time or even full-time jobs while studying.
  2. Homework is really important for truly understanding subjects in college. Doing the readings and assignments helps students think on their own and learn more effectively.
  3. It's vital to protect students' time for learning, not just to earn degrees. Education should be about more than just getting a job; it should allow for real thinking and personal growth.

Skills for the Modern World

David Friedman’s Substack β€’ 278 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 25
🚌 Education Digital Literacy Critical Thinking Social Skills Information Management
  1. In today's world, it's really important to know how to find good information online and tell what's true from what isn't. Being able to filter through all the noise is a skill we need to learn.
  2. AI is a big part of our lives now, and we need to understand how to use it effectively and recognize when we're interacting with it. It’s also important to know how to protect ourselves from scams online.
  3. Learning how to navigate online spaces for socializing and education has become essential. Whether it's finding friends, dating, or learning new things, being savvy with technology and online interactions is key.

Criticize by Creating

Polymathic Being β€’ 66 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 25
🚌 Education Innovation Creativity Collaboration Critical Thinking Communication
  1. Instead of criticizing ideas, try to build on them. Use 'Yes, and...' instead of 'Yes, but...' to create a more positive and innovative environment.
  2. Critiquing should focus on improving ideas, not tearing them down. A true critic aims to develop ideas into something better.
  3. Collaboration and combining ideas lead to greater innovation. Working together allows us to see new possibilities that we might miss when thinking alone.

How to Keep an Open Mind

Remarkable People β€’ 559 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jul 24
🚌 Education Personal Growth Critical Thinking Diversity Mindset
  1. Challenge your beliefs and question what you think you know. This helps you grow and improve your decision-making.
  2. Listen actively to others instead of just waiting to talk. This helps you understand their perspectives better.
  3. Seek out different viewpoints and experiences. Engaging with diverse ideas can expand your thinking and understanding.

derangement syndrome as symptom of paradigm shift

bad cattitude β€’ 212 implied HN points β€’ 24 Dec 24
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ U.S. Politics Political theory Higher education Populism Critical Thinking Culture Wars
  1. Many people are becoming overly fixated on specific leaders or figures, leading to a broader lack of understanding and critical thinking about the issues at hand.
  2. The current education system often does not encourage true critical thinking, resulting in people who are more focused on memorizing slogans than engaging in meaningful discourse.
  3. There's a shift happening where social media is becoming a new space for open discussion and debate, moving away from traditional education institutions.

CÑi chuông rè

ThΓ‘i | Hacker | Kα»Ή sΖ° tin tαΊ·c β€’ 3474 implied HN points β€’ 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Critical Thinking Ethics Education Skepticism Investigation
  1. Having a 'bullshit detector' or independent thinking mindset is crucial for evaluating information and avoiding deception.
  2. Questioning and independent thinking are essential for uncovering truth and preventing misinformation.
  3. Encouraging a culture of questioning and respecting those who ask questions can lead to a more informed and ethical society.

A Self-Help Book Changed How I Think About The End of the World

OK Doomer β€’ 126 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 25
πŸ“š Literature Self-help Critical Thinking Philosophy Mental health Book review
  1. Curiosity is important for critical thinking. We should explore ideas we may not agree with to learn more about the world.
  2. Many self-help books repeat the same ideas, but some can still have a lasting impact on our mindset.
  3. It's okay to approach self-help materials with a critical perspective instead of fully embracing their messages.

The Courage to Disagree in Academia

Journal of Free Black Thought β€’ 53 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
🚌 Education Academic Freedom Critical Thinking Intellectual humility
  1. Colleges should help students learn how to disagree and think critically. When students ask tough questions about what they're taught, it shows they're engaged and curious.
  2. It's important for schools to protect teachers' rights to express different opinions. This allows them to challenge the usual ideas and helps students hear various viewpoints.
  3. We should encourage open discussions on controversial topics. It helps students understand different perspectives and prepares them to think more broadly about important issues.

Liberal Arts Will Save The World!

Polymathic Being β€’ 85 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 25
🚌 Education Liberal Arts Critical Thinking Curriculum Development Civic engagement
  1. The Liberal Arts include important subjects like grammar, logic, arithmetic, and music. These subjects are key to helping us think critically and communicate well.
  2. Many modern education systems have stopped teaching these fundamental arts, which affects how we think and understand the world around us. This gap can lead to confusion and polarization in society.
  3. By reintroducing the Liberal Arts into education, we could improve our discussions, mental health, and understanding of complex topics like technology and ethics.

My Number One Issue

In My Tribe β€’ 1655 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 24
🚌 Education Higher education Intellectualism Social Issues Cultural critique Critical Thinking
  1. Higher education is facing an anti-intellectual trend. Many students are taught to think simply about identity, rather than critically.
  2. The growth of colleges and universities has led to a decline in intellectual quality. More students don't necessarily mean better thinking; it can create mediocrity.
  3. There's a need for new educational institutions for young people. Current colleges may not be fixable, and we need alternatives to support thoughtful learning.

Discussion: The AI Era Liberal Arts

Data People Etc. β€’ 71 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jan 25
🚌 Education Liberal Arts Curriculum design Skill development Critical Thinking
  1. We might need a new set of subjects for students today. The old tools aren't enough for the modern world that we live in.
  2. The seven liberal arts today should focus on skills like logic, statistics, and understanding psychology. These help us make sense of our world and make better decisions.
  3. It's more important to prepare kids to be adaptable and motivated than to worry about specific job skills. Being able to learn and think critically is key for the future.

For Pushing Large Men Off Bridges

Fake NoΓ»s β€’ 271 implied HN points β€’ 23 Nov 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Utilitarianism Moral dilemmas Critical Thinking
  1. Utilitarianism suggests that we should act in ways that maximize overall happiness. This means if you can save five people by sacrificing one, it might seem like the right choice to push the one off the bridge.
  2. Some arguments challenge the idea of not pushing someone off the bridge. For example, if pushing them means saving more lives, it may not be wrong to do so.
  3. The concept of 'undoing' actions also plays a role. If you push a person off the bridge but can pull them back before harm is done, it challenges whether that initial push was truly wrong.

9 ways to spot falsehoods

Your Local Epidemiologist β€’ 1105 implied HN points β€’ 30 Oct 24
πŸ₯ Health Politics Misinformation Public Health Vaccines Elections Disinformation Critical Thinking
  1. Check the basic logic of claims before sharing. If something sounds outrageous, take a moment to think it through.
  2. Follow the money behind the claims you see. If someone profits from spreading a story, be cautious about believing it.
  3. Stay skeptical and ask questions. The more you look into a claim, the better you'll understand its truth.

How do we know what’s True? How can we decipher what is real among lies?

Classical Wisdom β€’ 1415 implied HN points β€’ 22 Jan 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Literature Ethics Critical Thinking Knowledge
  1. Question the truth in media and politics due to widespread sensationalized reporting.
  2. Skepticism is key in questioning how we know what is true and striving for objectivity.
  3. Plagiarism involves presenting someone else's work as your own, requiring proper citation and ethical responsibility.

Career advice: Learn how to write

Wednesday Wisdom β€’ 151 implied HN points β€’ 04 Dec 24
🚌 Education Writing Skills Career Advice Communication Personal Development Critical Thinking
  1. Writing is a valuable skill, even with AI around. Good writing helps you communicate better in teams and makes your work more effective.
  2. Practice makes perfect when it comes to writing. The more you write, the better you'll become at organizing your thoughts and expressing them clearly.
  3. Strong writing skills help you think clearly. Writing forces you to clarify your ideas, making it an essential tool for problem-solving.

How to evaluate statistical claims

The Counterfactual β€’ 199 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jun 24
🚌 Education Statistics Research Methods Data Analysis Critical Thinking
  1. Always look at the whole distribution of data, not just the average. The average can be affected by extreme values, so it's crucial to see the bigger picture to understand what the data really tells us.
  2. Consider the baseline or reference point when evaluating numbers. Knowing how a number compares to others helps us understand if it's large or small, which gives us better context.
  3. Understand the story behind the data-generating process. This means recognizing the factors that led to the results we see, which helps in identifying possible biases or alternative explanations.

High-school debate: Pro

In My Tribe β€’ 486 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 24
🚌 Education Debate Public Speaking Communication Skills Critical Thinking
  1. High school debate encourages students to think critically and understand both sides of an argument. This helps them learn how to engage in respectful discussions.
  2. Judging a debate focuses on the quality of arguments and how well teams respond to each other's points. This process is designed to improve speaking skills and critical thinking.
  3. AI could potentially be used to judge debates fairly by evaluating arguments based on set criteria. It seems feasible to train AI to understand the nuances of debate.

Free Subscriptions for College Students

Common Sense with Bari Weiss β€’ 1752 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education College Free speech Independent Journalism Critical Thinking Student activism
  1. Free speech is crucial for a free society and intellectual growth, but is often viewed as political in the current era.
  2. Campus culture sometimes discourages questioning and different perspectives, leading to fear of being judged for holding alternative views.
  3. Reading independent journalism and engaging in conversations can inspire critical thinking, challenge beliefs, and empower individuals to speak up for what they believe in.

Cowen's First Law is an epistemological superpower

inexactscience β€’ 539 implied HN points β€’ 27 Mar 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Epistemology Critical Thinking Argumentation Logic
  1. Cowen's First Law suggests that every argument has weaknesses. Understanding these flaws helps you think more critically.
  2. You can test how honest someone is by checking if they mention their arguments' weaknesses. If they don't, that's a sign to be cautious.
  3. It's important to recognize that not every argument is wrong. Some things, like basic logic, can be completely accurate. Balance is key to understanding knowledge.

TBM 315: The Self-Sealing Argument Trap

The Beautiful Mess β€’ 727 implied HN points β€’ 13 Oct 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Cognitive Bias Critical Thinking Ethics Communication
  1. Self-sealing arguments trap you into a no-win situation. No matter how you respond, it feels like you lose.
  2. These arguments often happen in discussions where your personal beliefs are questioned. They can make it hard to express your true thoughts without feeling defensive.
  3. It's important to recognize when you're in these traps. Finding a different way to respond can help you avoid feeling stuck and give you a better chance for a positive outcome.

Unpsyopable

thestoa β€’ 589 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Conspiracy Theories Intellectual humility Critical Thinking
  1. Psyops are techniques used to influence minds with varying degrees of transparency and deception.
  2. In today's world, psychological manipulation is pervasive, and being aware of it is crucial to personal sovereignty.
  3. Engaging in philosophical inquiry can help individuals become less susceptible to psyops and actively construct their reality.

Take my Infinity final exam!

Infinitely More β€’ 35 implied HN points β€’ 21 Dec 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Mathematics Learning Assessment Critical Thinking
  1. The Cantor-Hume principle connects with Euclid's principle, and there are different views on whether they agree or conflict. It's a topic worth exploring in depth.
  2. Understanding potential and actual infinity is important in calculus, especially when dealing with infinite series. This distinction affects how we solve mathematical problems.
  3. The continuum hypothesis and the axiom of choice raise interesting questions in philosophy and mathematics, showing how these concepts challenge our understanding of infinity and choice.

The Map is not the Territory

do clouds feel vertigo? β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jul 24
🚌 Education Mental models Cognitive Science Learning Strategies Critical Thinking Decision-making
  1. Understanding the difference between perception and reality is important. Different people have various ways to see the world, and it helps to have multiple perspectives.
  2. Mental models are valuable thinking tools that can help us make sense of complex situations. Organizing these models by subject can guide our decision-making.
  3. Learning about complex adaptive systems can provide a solid foundation for understanding how different parts of a system interact. It's a good starting point for anyone new to the topic.

What makes a woke theory "Critical?"

Keep your Wokal_distance β€’ 845 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 23
🚌 Education Theories Critical Thinking Social justice Knowledge Philosophy
  1. Critical Social Justice Theorists focus on being 'critical' to analyze concepts and theories within the realm of wokeness.
  2. The term 'critical' holds different meanings in the enlightenment liberal tradition of critical thinking and the woke social justice tradition of critical theory.
  3. Woke activists view truth and knowledge through the lens of power dynamics and social inequalities, rather than objective reality.

AI Literacy For Educators

Teaching computers how to talk β€’ 83 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 24
🚌 Education AI literacy Teaching Methods Critical Thinking Technology Integration Student Engagement
  1. AI is already part of classrooms, and ignoring or fighting it will not benefit students. Teachers need to adapt to these changes instead.
  2. Critical thinking will be the most important skill for students in the future, as traditional education methods won't be enough anymore.
  3. A free handbook on AI literacy for educators is available to help them understand and teach about AI effectively, making sure they are prepared for its influence.

The Vanishing Hardy Boys

Variations on a Theme β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 25 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Society Science Expertise Critical Thinking
  1. The concept of the Renaissance Man, with its emphasis on broad knowledge and skills, is fading in our society as specialization becomes more prevalent.
  2. Apathy can lead to a lack of critical thinking and embracing the easy path of leisure, hindering personal and intellectual development.
  3. Specialization can create barriers to entry in professions, leading to credentialism and potential dismissal of alternative expertise, while being a generalist can offer a unique perspective and a wide range of problem-solving abilities.

What is an ad hominem attack?

News from Those Nerdy Girls β€’ 314 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Logic Bias Critical Thinking Media Literacy Communication
  1. Ad hominem attacks insult a person's motive or character instead of addressing the content of an idea or argument.
  2. Ad hominem attacks create distrust of the individual and divert attention away from the actual issue.
  3. To combat bias from ad hominem attacks, focus on facts, recognize diversion tactics, and practice self-reflection.

Good Memory

The Memory Palace β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jun 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Epistemology Memory Metaphysics Cognition Critical Thinking
  1. Memory is often seen as less reliable than other ways of knowing, like perception. It doesn't create new knowledge but relies on what it's given, so it might forget important details.
  2. When we remember things, we can also remember them incorrectly or distort them. This means that sometimes memory can lead us to feel certain about things that are actually wrong.
  3. Despite its flaws, memory still plays an important role in how we understand our experiences. It can help us organize our memories, but we should be careful not to trust it too much.

Private Philosophy > Public Philosophy

thestoa β€’ 294 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jan 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Critical Thinking Ethics
  1. Public philosophy is engaging in philosophical discourse with the general public outside of academic environments.
  2. Private philosophy is crucial for nurturing autonomy of thoughts without succumbing to societal pressures.
  3. Balancing private and public philosophy practices is essential for genuine philosophical inquiry.