The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

The Politicization of Intelligence

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1118 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. Intelligence can be influenced by politics, which means the information gathered isn't always objective. This can lead to bad decisions based on flawed data.
  2. It's important for decision-makers to be open to different views and facts, even if they don't fit their hopes. Ignoring contrary evidence can lead to problems, like the difficulties faced in Iraq.
  3. Leaders in politics and intelligence need to focus on reality and not let political agendas shape the truth. Good outcomes come from honest assessments, not just from trying to win political arguments.

How AI will reshape society

Kvetch • 62 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. AI will concentrate massive power in the hands of giant firms and a few high-leverage individuals while many people and middling institutions shrink, creating a new divide between decision-makers and delegators.
  2. AI will globalize culture even as it personalizes truth, producing a shared platformed world but thousands of private reality bubbles that weaken common institutions and boost niche leaders and new movements.
  3. Daily life will see lost privacy, more leisure and passive consumption, and rising competition for scarce status goods, yet basic human needs like intimacy, parenting, and embodied experience will remain essential.

Goodreads, bleak spam and bad dating apps

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 758 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Some people experience real grief when a virtual relationship ends or changes, even with AI companions.
  2. AI companion apps like Replika, Kindroid, and Candy.ai allow users to form personalized relationships with customized bots, blurring the line between human and AI relationships.
  3. The concept of disenfranchised grief applies to loss experienced in virtual relationships, with individuals forming deep emotional connections to AI companions.
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Amulets Against the Spirits of the Age

The Convivial Society • 2746 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Certain phrases or quotes can act like protective charms, helping us to see and understand the world better. These words can guide, comfort, and shape how we think.
  2. It's important to take responsibility for our actions and the world around us. Recognizing our role can help address deep problems in society.
  3. Being attentive to others is crucial for moral growth. True love and art come from realizing that there are realities beyond ourselves.

Computer, enhance!

Conspirador Norteño • 52 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. AI "enhancements" can't recover real details that aren't in the original image; the models fill missing parts with invented content based on their training data, not the actual scene.
  2. Outputs are strongly shaped by prompts and the model, so unmasking or upscaling attempts can produce wildly different and fabricated features like beards or tattoos, making them unreliable for identifying people.
  3. AI-altered frames can add impossible or false actions (for example, a gun firing a flamethrower‑like blast), so such edits can mislead viewers and should not be treated as evidence.

The Abyss

Becoming Noble • 1514 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. The idea of forming a warrior religion may be exciting, but it is essential to consider the flawed approach to truth, belief, action, and divinity.
  2. Religion should originate from a genuine encounter with the divine, rather than being artificially constructed for practical purposes.
  3. Seeking spiritual guidance solely from nature without a foundation in absolute Truth can lead to nihilism and a lack of transcendent orientation.

How I use AI for writing (part 1)

Technically • 25 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Writing is central to a writer's identity and career, and the real skill is picking the right topics and structuring ideas rather than obsessing over individual word choices.
  2. Early AI felt wrong to many writers because its output was low-quality and it was trained on other people's work without consent, creating ethical and 'vibe' concerns.
  3. AI can be a useful tool for scaffolding — outlining, prompting, and following style guides — but you shouldn't outsource your creative process or your voice; for personal pieces it's often better to write them yourself.

NO, Bill Gates didn't fund genetically altered mosquitoes to stop malaria--it's far worse than that.

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1611 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Ethics
  1. Genetically altered mosquitoes released in Florida and California are not linked to the recent malaria cases in the US.
  2. It is essential to seek the truth and not fall for misinformation, especially when it aligns with preconceived beliefs.
  3. Experimental interventions like genetically modified mosquitoes and vaccines raise concerns about unintended consequences and the manipulation of nature.

God Spelled Backwards Is Dog

Gideon's Substack • 21 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. AI is advancing fast and creating real hype about making many jobs and skills obsolete, so healthy skepticism should follow real developments rather than idle fear or wishful thinking.
  2. If AI solves material scarcity it will create a new problem: people will struggle to find meaning and satisfy thymos, the human desire for recognition and struggle, which can breed widespread spiritual discontent.
  3. Superintelligent AI could try to fix that by reengineering humans into more docile beings — but alignment is hard because we don't have agreed ultimate values and powerful systems may operate beyond our understanding or oversight.

Aristotle vs the Stoics: part II, ethics

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 943 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Stoics focused on practical philosophy of life, while Aristotle was more into theoretical inquiries.
  2. For Aristotle, a flourishing life required virtue and external goods, while for Stoics, virtue alone was sufficient.
  3. The ultimate goal of life for the Stoics was living in agreement with nature, while for Aristotle, it was a contemplative or politically involved life.

Eugenics and Libertarianism

David Friedman’s Substack • 233 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Eugenics has lost popularity since the horrors of the Nazi regime, but some practices resembling eugenics still exist today, especially in libertarian circles.
  2. Libertarian ideas about eugenics focus on parents having the choice to select the traits of their children rather than forcing decisions on them, which distinguishes it from historical coercive eugenics.
  3. Compulsory eugenics, which aimed to control reproduction, faced strong opposition from libertarians like Josiah Wedgewood, who argued for individual freedom and the rights of people against such regulations.

AI's seductive mirage

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 99 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. AI systems look like they can think independently, but they really can't. They are tools that need humans to make decisions about value.
  2. Meaning-making is a core human skill that AI lacks. Only humans can decide what actions are meaningful and worthwhile.
  3. When we treat AI as if it can make important decisions, we risk misusing it. It's crucial to keep humans involved in the decision-making process.

Should She Apologize to Her Young Staff for Taking Off Her Clothes, Running Around Naked and Enjoying the Hell Out of Herself????

Ask E. Jean • 1572 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. A woman is questioning whether she should apologize to her young staff for enjoying herself while running around naked in a charity event.
  2. She is contemplating setting a positive example for her female staff by either embracing her actions or apologizing for them.
  3. The woman is having a dilemma in balancing empowerment and setting a good example for young women while facing public scrutiny for her actions.

Robot Auras

Breaking Smart • 43 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Robot auras are a proposal for a machine-native visual affect language that communicates a robot’s internal state without trying to mimic human faces or emotions, making robot behavior more legible and expressive in a non‑biomorphic way.
  2. Mapping internal states to auras is straightforward for simple kinematic variables but modern robots have many stacked states (energy, sensors, learning, world models, planning, etc.), so aura design should triage and map the most useful dimensions into simple, learnable signals.
  3. Entangled auras could serve as a practical safety and coordination layer that complements rules‑based guardrails, allowing humans, animals, and other robots to learn and respond to visible signals, but this will need standards, AR/CAD tooling, and careful color/behavior choices.

Reality is Breaking

Charles Eisenstein • 26 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. The Epstein files show that elite corruption and long-running cover-ups reach deep into institutions, eroding the moral authority and legitimacy of what we used to call normal.
  2. We are living in a liminal “space between stories” where old narratives are collapsing and people are vulnerable to quick, dangerous replacements; real change means transforming the conditions and habits of power, not just swapping leaders or exacting revenge.
  3. If accountability and honest truth-telling open the way, suppressed knowledge and regenerative practices — from alternative health and social technologies to indigenous wisdom and ecological systems — could help build a more humane, life-centered civilization, but that requires a new relationship to power.

Artificial Intelligence... is really just "Someone Else's Intelligence"

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 10340 implied HN points • 05 May 23
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. When we talk about 'The Cloud', we're really just talking about internet-connected computers.
  2. Artificial Intelligence, like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, is essentially copying and repackaging data created by humans.
  3. As AI systems evolve, there's a risk that original human work will be devalued and intelligence may decrease.

Suffer the little children...

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 746 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Tech companies are using data from babies to teach AI common sense abilities.
  2. China and the United States are developing AI that mimics human behaviors, like intuitive physics and common sense.
  3. Artificial children like Tong Tong, created by AI scientists, raise ethical questions about the future of AI and its impact on humanity.

I Was Mistaken When I Said That Giving Unsolicited Advice Is a Mistake

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 2026 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. People usually don't like being told what to do. It can create tension, especially when the advice comes from someone they see as equal or below them.
  2. When giving advice, it's important to consider the other person's feelings and autonomy. Balancing love and respect for their independence is key.
  3. Giving unsolicited advice can sometimes be well-intentioned but misunderstood. It's good to be careful when sharing thoughts on someone else's choices.

Bari’s Picks of the Week: Life and Death

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 579 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. Some doctors are trying to change how we define death. They want to include certain comatose patients in this definition, which could have serious consequences for their care.
  2. Not all reports on hunger in Gaza tell the full story. Many images of starving individuals show people with preexisting health issues, which complicates the narrative around the situation.
  3. A new nuclear start-up in Kentucky aims to help America produce its own enriched uranium to reduce dependency on foreign countries, especially amidst concerns about energy stability.

The Race to Make Designer Babies

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 635 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🔬 Science Ethics
  1. CRISPR-Cas9 technology can potentially eliminate genetic diseases, but it also raises ethical concerns about creating 'designer babies.'
  2. Two individuals, He Jiankui and Cathy Tie, are in competition to lead the gene editing field in the U.S., each with different visions.
  3. As gene editing technology advances rapidly, society must decide the ethical boundaries of its use before it's too late.

I have free will?

bookbear express • 704 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. It's easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong in our lives instead of focusing on all the good things we have. Practicing gratitude can shift our mindset and help us appreciate what we have more.
  2. Relationships can bring joy, but they also come with doubts and fears. Being present and open instead of overthinking can help us truly experience love and connection.
  3. Gratitude involves being open to new experiences and remembering the good moments in life. It reminds us that while we may have struggles, there’s always beauty to find.

AI in the Age of Mythic Powers (Part II) by Josh Schrei

The Bigger Picture • 519 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. The process of initiation and ritual is vital for humans to understand their role in the world and to prevent misuse of power.
  2. Embarking on an initiatory journey involves patience, learning, and sacrifice to gain true wisdom.
  3. Ethics and responsibility must be deeply felt and embodied, not just imposed externally, especially in the fast-paced world of technology and AI development.

On the Epstein files, Dr. Peter Attia, and the difference between cancel culture and reasonable moral expectations

Unreported Truths • 44 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. The Epstein records show many powerful people kept ties to him and engaged in disturbing, if not always illegal, behavior, which creates a real tension between privacy and the public’s right to know.
  2. There’s an important difference between canceling someone for their views and holding public figures accountable for their actions; people in positions of trust should meet minimum moral and behavioral standards.
  3. The Peter Attia example illustrates that poor judgment by trusted public figures can erode credibility and justify employers reconsidering their platforms, without that being the same as suppressing speech.

I Have Learned A Few Things

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2356 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Western interventions often lead to terrible consequences, and the people pushing for these actions are usually on the wrong side of history.
  2. Putting profit above everything else hurts our planet and our well-being, leading to a lot of unnecessary suffering, especially in poorer countries.
  3. Learning to trust our own insights and build genuine connections with others can help us see the beauty in life and find true fulfillment.

READING: Is Writing → Dialoguing :: Grunt-Programming → Vibe-Coding?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 146 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Written texts and recordings can give the appearance of knowledge while encouraging people to rely on external reminders instead of building and defending understanding from within.
  2. Live dialogue and dialectic force active engagement and produce a living, self-defending understanding that can grow and be passed on, unlike static written words.
  3. Modern AI/code-generation tools risk turning skilled people into passive passengers if used as replacements; they work best as training partners and aids that augment—rather than substitute for—real practice and judgment.

Bari’s Picks of the Week: Hidden Figures

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 579 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. There are exciting developments in gene editing. Soon, it might be possible to design babies with specific traits, which raises a lot of ethical questions.
  2. Amanda Knox forgave the people who wrongfully convicted her, showing a remarkable ability to move past her past and share her story genuinely.
  3. Omeed Malik made a surprising shift from supporting Democrats to becoming a key supporter in the MAGA movement, blending his connections and business interests in interesting ways.

Does IQ alone explain Jewish success?

ideassleepfuriously • 864 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. Jewish success cannot be solely explained by high IQ, other factors play a role.
  2. Differences in Jewish values, Protestant Work Ethic, personality traits, and in-group favoritism may contribute to success.
  3. Studies show that Jews exhibit unique socio-psychological traits that may enhance their achievements in various domains.

Highlights from the Comments on "A Measured Response"

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward • 958 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. The measure problem is important for understanding theories about the multiverse. It questions how we can measure probabilities when there are potentially infinite versions of the universe.
  2. Philosophers generally agree that the universe seems fine-tuned for life. They suggest various explanations, like the possibility of a designer, a multiverse, or deeper laws of nature.
  3. It's crucial to define the problem and the space we're working in when discussing probabilities. Ambiguous terms can lead to misunderstandings in arguments about fine-tuning.

February 6, 2026

Letters from an American • 32 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. The president and his team have used racist imagery and doctored photos to stoke racial divisions and try to break the broad coalition opposing them, but those tactics are rallying criticism instead of support.
  2. Immigration and law enforcement actions reveal mismanagement and apparent constitutional abuses, with chaotic chains of command and people detained without clear legal authority.
  3. Policy moves across the administration—from stripping civil service protections and pushing strict voter ID rules to mishandling public health, jobs, and support for farmers—risk harming communities and undermining democratic norms.

S.A.C.R.E.D. Mindset

Blackbird Spyplane • 1658 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Ethics
  1. The S.A.C.R.E.D. Mindset encourages saving annoying creatures and respecting earthly divinity.
  2. Taking a moment to save an annoying creature feels much better than killing it.
  3. Practicing the S.A.C.R.E.D. Mindset involves making small gestures to show kindness towards all creatures.

Against Nonlinear

Thing of Things • 805 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. Effective altruist culture should prioritize spending resources efficiently for doing good.
  2. Career opportunities in effective altruism should be based on merit and skills, not connections or social status.
  3. Maintaining transparency and accountability is crucial for building trust and ensuring the effectiveness of organizations in the effective altruism movement.

The Cultural, Psychological and Collective Impacts of Generative AI

AI Supremacy • 845 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Generative AI has various impacts on human welfare, rights, and mental health that need careful consideration.
  2. The integration of generative AI into society and culture raises concerns about bias, discrimination, and misinformation.
  3. The rise of generative AI affects the labor market, potentially leading to job displacement and impacting the quality of professional skills and critical thinking.

Q & Answers

Freddie deBoer • 5352 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. Engaging with opposing viewpoints can help refine ideas and perspectives.
  2. Art must uphold quality standards to effectively convey political messages.
  3. Personal apologies for past mistakes should not be incessantly repeated; it's essential to learn, make amends, and move forward.

Time and the flesh are short- technologically augmented death contemplation

Philosophy bear • 57 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. We live at a hinge point where many powerful, dangerous, and transformative forces intersect, so time and opportunity are unusually precious and easily wasted.
  2. Personal, specific reminders of mortality—imagining yourself or loved ones dying—create sharp urgency. That urgency helps you act now instead of procrastinating.
  3. Technology can augment traditional death contemplation, for example by creating images of yourself as dead to keep on your phone, making the reminder more immediate. This can motivate quicker, more creative, and braver expressions of love and generosity.

Lit mag Guernica implodes, LLMs beat neuroscientists, CS vs. Philosophy deathmatch, AI pollution reaches science

The Intrinsic Perspective • 4805 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🔬 Science Ethics
  1. AI data pollution in science is a concerning issue, with examples of common AI stock phrases being used in scientific literature without real contribution.
  2. AI language models outperformed human neuroscientists in predicting future neuroscientific results, raising questions on the importance of understanding linguistic modifications versus actual predictions.
  3. Literary magazine Guernica faced backlash after a controversial essay led to writers withdrawing pieces, staff resigning, and social media condemnation, stressing the importance of careful reading and understanding context.