The hottest Enlightenment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Literature Topics

Two Faces of Modernity

News from Uncibal • 656 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Enlightenment
  1. Modernity has both helped and hurt humanity. While it has brought material improvements like electricity and medicine, it has also led to government systems that might control every aspect of our lives.
  2. The problems we face today, like economic issues and government overreach, are partly a result of modern ideas from the Enlightenment. Simply going back to those ideas won't solve our problems.
  3. Many debates today focus on how the state should act in the world, often pushing for more government control instead of less. We may need a new way of thinking that goes beyond modernity to find real solutions.

Longer Meme

Do Not Research • 559 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Enlightenment
  1. Critiques societal norms and references Joker and Margaret Thatcher's views on society.
  2. Explores hypothetical scenarios about society's development with imaginative and detailed scenarios.
  3. Societyiftextwall is a project that delves into utopian ideals and historical questioning, aiming to counter negative memesphere trends.

Humanity Must Awaken From The Dream Of Separation

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2239 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. Many people think they are separate from others and the world, which causes a lot of suffering. We feel this even though our true nature isn't separate; it's just a belief we hold.
  2. We create problems as a society because we compete instead of collaborate. This competition leads to issues like poverty and war.
  3. If humanity can realize that we are not separate, we can work together and solve many of our biggest challenges. This realization has the potential to change everything for the better.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

This is not the best we can do

¡Do Not Panic! • 707 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Enlightenment
  1. The need for big transformative ideas and focus on useful knowledge to propel humanity forward
  2. Call to rekindle the spirit of the Enlightenment and focus on meaningful change rather than trivial research
  3. Belief in the possibility of a better future, challenging the current systems and structures for a more equitable world

a spirituality that transforms

Wellness Wisdom by Patricia Mou • 373 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. Authentic spirituality involves radical transformation and liberation, not just consoling beliefs for the self.
  2. Translation and transformation are two key functions of religion: one creates meanings for the self, the other shatters the self for radical change.
  3. Communicate your authentic spiritual vision with passion and courage to prompt discovery and transformation in others.

Introducing The Elysian (and my new job)

The Novelleist • 2432 implied HN points • 15 May 23
📚 Literature Enlightenment
  1. The author emphasizes the importance of having literary thinkers over journalists for societal progress.
  2. The author discusses the nostalgia for the Enlightenment period and the need to revive philosophical and utopian thinking.
  3. The author introduces The Elysian as a platform for stimulating discussions around envisioning a better future through essays, literature, and discourse.

Five... Things about the 1715 Solar Eclipse in London

Londonist: Time Machine • 99 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
💾 History Enlightenment
  1. The 1715 solar eclipse in London, known as Halley's Eclipse, marked a significant astronomical event during the Enlightenment period.
  2. Edmond Halley's accurate prediction of the eclipse's timing and path highlighted the importance of science over superstition in the 18th century.
  3. The 1715 solar eclipse coincided with a time of political uncertainty and doubt about the monarchy, emphasizing the intersection of science, superstition, and politics.

The heart of awareness

Silentium • 199 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. The Ashtavakra Gita is an ancient classic of Advaita Vedanta literature, focusing on a dialogue between King Janaka and the Sage Ashtavakra.
  2. Many spiritual figures, including Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Ramana Maharshi, and Mooji, consider the Ashtavakra Gita to be profound and enlightening.
  3. The Ashtavakra Gita is described as containing all essential teachings, a source of truth, simplicity, and depth to contemplate and meditate upon.

The Dance of Light and Dark

Clinsights • 294 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Enlightenment
  1. Combining all colors of light creates white, while combining paint colors makes black.
  2. The dance of energy and matter in the universe is a constant transformation from light to dark and back.
  3. While our bodies return to chaos, our minds and consciousness trend towards increasing order and light.

The Alabama Sutta

Weekly Wisdom • 119 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. The text draws parallels between a 90's country song and Buddhist philosophy by connecting the themes of restlessness and ignorance from the song lyrics to the Buddhist concept of fetters.
  2. The ten fetters in Buddhism represent psychological obstacles that must be overcome for spiritual liberation, similar to cognitive biases in psychology.
  3. Methods to break free from these fetters include inquiry, self-inquiry through writing or meditation, and becoming confident in the absence of the perceived obstacle.

Two or Three Sides of Caledonia

Euro Desk Paris • 79 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📚 Literature Enlightenment
  1. Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, was a complex figure with contradictory elements in his life and work.
  2. Burns was known for his poetry, including love songs and political commentary, while also exploring the rebellious side of working-class life.
  3. To become a national poet, one may need to come from humble beginnings, engage in heavy physical work, have interest in politics, and embrace risky positions.

Not All Who Trip Are Transformed: Beware The Spiritual Narcissist 🙏❤️‍🩹

Tripsitter • 99 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. Pseudo-spirituality and spiritual narcissism are prevalent in the psychedelic realm, where individuals may use spiritual practices to avoid personal growth.
  2. Recognizing spiritual egotism and the journey towards spiritual awareness involves acknowledging and confronting one's ego, rather than masking it through spiritual practices.
  3. Identifying traits of spiritual narcissists such as superiority complex, manipulation, and lack of empathy is crucial to safeguard oneself in the spiritual and psychedelic community.

Become Transparent

Meaning-Making • 78 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. Being transparent allows light to pass through you, illuminating what lies before you
  2. Becoming transparent involves understanding yourself and letting go of shadows
  3. By letting your own light shine, you give others permission to do the same

Why I Am Not a Christian

Skeptic • 234 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. Atheism is not a belief system, it is a lack of belief in God.
  2. Enlightenment humanism, not atheism, drives moral progress through reason and science.
  3. The basis for morality and values can be universal and grounded in humanistic principles, regardless of religious beliefs.

What the Founding Fathers Teach Us About Religious Freedom

The Cholent • 19 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Enlightenment
  1. The Founding Fathers of America intentionally enshrined liberty of conscience into their republic, valuing religious freedom for all.
  2. The Enlightenment era influenced the Founders to advocate for religious freedom, countering the Inquisition's religious intolerance.
  3. The United States, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers, offers a model of religious freedom that is unique in history, emphasizing liberty of conscience for all.

Shut Up About The Enlightenment (Part 3)

Cosy Moments • 25 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Enlightenment
  1. John Locke, often seen as a key Enlightenment thinker, has many writings that show inconsistencies and outdated ideas, just like religious texts. This means we should question how much we really rely on his thoughts today.
  2. Locke's view on consent and government raises issues. He suggests people agree to rules just by living in a society, but many have no real choice to leave. This makes us wonder if we are truly consenting to be governed.
  3. The Enlightenment, praised for promoting individual rights and democracy, had its share of contradictions, especially regarding slavery and moral beliefs. We must look carefully at its ideas instead of accepting them blindly.

Locke, I've Come to Bargain

From the New World • 16 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Enlightenment
  1. Peter Thiel thinks that the old ways of thinking about politics are not coming back. He believes many Enlightenment ideas are now misleading or wrong.
  2. The connection between new technologies and control is becoming clearer with AI. The Paper Belt uses dramatic language to justify its control over society, even if that control isn't backed by evidence.
  3. As AI technology develops, there are narratives being created to control it. These stories aim to give power to certain authorities over all software, labeling it in a negative way.

Slavery and a Moral Science of Freedom

Skeptic • 42 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Enlightenment
  1. Slavery existed for millennia and it required rational arguments for abolition
  2. The Enlightenment and secular philosophers played a significant role in opposing slavery
  3. The principle of interchangeable perspectives and rational arguments against slavery led to legal abolition and expanded moral rights for various groups