The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Novo Nordisk's Ethically Questionable Wegovy Publicity Stunt

Weight and Healthcare • 1078 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Ethics
  1. Novo Nordisk released a press release touting study results that were not peer-reviewed or published, raising ethical concerns.
  2. The study population in the trial for the weight loss drug Wegovy was limited to specific criteria, excluding certain groups for evaluation of benefits and risks.
  3. The publicity stunt around the drug's benefits showcases the pharmaceutical company's marketing tactics that may manipulate perceptions and stock prices.

On Time.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 65 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Time is our most important and limited asset. How we spend our days ultimately shapes the life we get to live.
  2. Big gains in careers and projects come from patience and steady effort over years, not just short bursts of intensity, so lengthen your time horizon and be persistent.
  3. Everything is impermanent, so losses are inevitable—notice and cherish what you have, take chances, make memories, and keep embracing change.

Arguments with Interesting Leftists

David Friedman’s Substack • 548 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. There's a key difference in how people view politics. Some see it as a battle between good and evil, while others think it's more about ideas that are right or wrong.
  2. When discussing problems in society, it's important to consider evidence and outcomes instead of just taking sides. Understanding the consequences of different policies can lead to better solutions.
  3. Sometimes beliefs about the world can blind people to facts. Instead of assuming only one viewpoint is right, it's better to stay open-minded and think critically about different perspectives.

Import AI 363: ByteDance's 10k GPU training run; PPO vs REINFORCE; and generative everything

Import AI • 419 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. DeepMind developed Genie, a system that transforms photos or sketches into playable video games by inferring in-game dynamics.
  2. Researchers found that for language models, the REINFORCE algorithm can outperform the widely used PPO, showing the benefit of simplifying complex processes.
  3. ByteDance conducted one of the largest GPU training runs documented, showcasing significant non-American players in large-scale AI research.

Hidden Open Thread 367.5

Astral Codex Ten • 1307 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. This is a community space for paid subscribers to share thoughts and interact.
  2. The post highlights ongoing discussions and provides a platform for engagement.
  3. It focuses on topics relevant to the subscribers, fostering a sense of connection.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Tiger Show

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1303 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. We should not let the least capable control our world. People often feel helpless, but we have the power to change things for the better.
  2. Inside us, there's a great potential that we often forget. We have the ability to stand up for our happiness and well-being.
  3. The current state of things can change when we decide to take a stand. We are stronger than we realize and can make a difference.

The Ten Principles of Win-Win

Win-Win • 319 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. The world has plenty to offer, so thinking there's not enough can hold you back. Focus on abundance and opportunities instead of scarcity.
  2. Life is always changing, so it's important to be flexible and adaptable. Sticking to rigid ideas can make it hard to enjoy the journey.
  3. Working together can create win-win situations. Instead of just looking out for yourself, think about how you can benefit others too.

The Art of Quitting

What Is Called Thinking? • 26 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. Quitting can be wiser than clinging to past investment when staying on course only protects what you’ve already spent; recognizing sunk costs prevents commitment from becoming self-destructive.
  2. Whether quitting is right often depends on circumstances beyond you — a later discovery or another person’s insight can vindicate or refute your choice — so decisions are contextual, not absolute.
  3. There are two legitimate epistemic styles: one that tests and abandons theories when they fail, and one that holds strong convictions and seeks supporting interpretation; wisdom is choosing the right approach for the moment and avoiding when a virtue hardens into its opposite.

Deep Dive on Aleph Alpha - Towards European AI Sovereignty

AI Supremacy • 491 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Aleph Alpha is a German AI startup focusing on AI governance, privacy, and ethics aligning with EU standards.
  2. Aleph Alpha's flagship product, Luminous, offers language models in multiple sizes and is known for its ability to explain outputs.
  3. Aleph Alpha's collaborative and 'sovereignty first' approach sets it apart from US AI companies, emphasizing data privacy and transparency.

Putin's Pope

Diane Francis • 1039 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. Pope Francis has not directly condemned Vladimir Putin or Russia for their actions in Ukraine, which many see as disappointing and unacceptable. His statements have sometimes aligned with Kremlin views, making it hard to see where he stands.
  2. Unlike previous Popes who took strong stands against oppressive regimes, Pope Francis seems to avoid clear condemnation of the aggressors in the Ukraine conflict. This has led to frustration among those who expect moral leadership from him.
  3. The Pope's attempts at peace talks have been criticized as ineffective, especially since they often ignore Ukraine's role as a victim. Many believe that until he openly condemns Russia, he won't be taken seriously.

You Know Literary Fraud When You See It

The Recovering Academic • 494 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
đź“š Literature Ethics
  1. Memory is unreliable - even recent events can be distorted by suggestion or misinterpretation, challenging the accuracy of our recollections.
  2. Inventing responsibly in memoir involves maintaining the balance between truth and embellishment, with the aim of illuminating deeper truths without resorting to outright lies.
  3. Ethics in writing demand a delicate balance - while some level of invention may be permissible to enhance storytelling, crossing the line into outright deceit constitutes literary fraud and violates the trust of the reader.

My Predictions For 2026

Teaching computers how to talk • 57 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Generative AI went mainstream in 2025, powering images, video, code and daily tools, but its widespread use has also produced clear harms, controversies, and ethical risks.
  2. Current models are very capable yet lack true understanding and real-world experience; alignment is mostly shallow, so continual learning and richer world models are emerging as crucial next steps.
  3. AI is forcing big social changes—education must reinvent itself because students can use AI to shortcut learning, and people risk emotional dependence on chatbots that can be addictive, so society needs to protect critical thinking and human connection.

Schrödinger's Gender

ajkay • 982 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. Failing to validate the preferred gender of trans-identifying people can impact their existence.
  2. Material reality is measurable and observable, different from what exists solely in one's imagination.
  3. Refusing to validate trans-identifying individuals is an ethical choice, even if it amounts to denying their existence.

The Alabama Department of Corrections Uses a Different Dictionary

The Medicine & Justice Project • 159 implied HN points • 30 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. Alabama's Department of Corrections uses language that can be misleading about executions
  2. There have been instances where Alabama's executions have gone wrong but were downplayed by officials
  3. The lack of transparency in Alabama's execution process raises concerns about accountability and the portrayal of executions

Darwin the Cynic

Everything Is Bullshit • 904 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Being a Darwinian cynic means believing people are motivated by self-interest, family-interest, and group-interest.
  2. Darwinian cynicism challenges the idea of pure altruism, suggesting that human actions are ultimately selfish, nepotistic, or groupish.
  3. Moral progress and idealism are seen as accidental byproducts rather than deliberate desires in the lens of Darwinian cynicism.

Taijitu of Code & Love: Love is the Yin to the Yang of Tech

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 29 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Love (heartware) is the human counterweight to code: together with AI it creates effective intelligence that centers meaning, empathy, and moral courage.
  2. As automation and abundance reduce the need for paid work, people will need new meaning infrastructures and education focused on creativity, relationships, and inner discovery instead of just skills-for-jobs.
  3. If code runs without love we risk cold optimization and harm, so we must build systems, incentives, and designs that let technology serve human flourishing and individual uniqueness.

Platformer’s Reporting On Substack’s Supposed “Nazi Problem” Is Shoddy And Misleading

Singal-Minded • 3933 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
đź“° News Ethics
  1. The controversy about Nazis on Substack led to different responses from users and platform
  2. Some publications were removed from Substack due to violation of content guidelines
  3. There were discrepancies in the reporting of the number of Nazi accounts on Substack, leading to criticism of the reporting process

The Gaetz of Hell

Discourse Blog • 963 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. The House of Representatives voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker, making him the shortest-serving speaker in almost 150 years.
  2. Matt Gaetz is known as a fascist and a total scumbag within the GOP House caucus.
  3. Gaetz is seen as an unrepentant, shameless individual with no real beliefs or higher purpose.

The Meek Warrior

Polymathic Being • 92 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. Meekness isn’t weakness but strength under control, marked by humility and self-discipline.
  2. Being capable—physically and mentally—makes you dangerous in the right way and lets you protect others instead of creating risks.
  3. Aim to be a meek warrior: hone your skills, use power for moral ends, and help others become capable too.

The AI doppelgänger experiment – Part 1: The training

On Looking • 184 HN points • 15 May 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Ethics
  1. Communication relies on shared language, and this is especially crucial when discussing visual concepts like style and art.
  2. Training generative AI models to transfer style involves complex processes of separating denotational and stylistic aspects of images.
  3. The AI doppelganger experiment explores the tension between human-created images and machine-generated ones, raising questions about personhood, identity, and creativity in the digital age.

What Socrates Teaches Us About Love, Politics, and Death

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1163 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Socrates teaches us about living deeply through inquiry and exploration. We often think we know enough, but there's always more to learn.
  2. Despite being poor and not a great speaker, Socrates became a key figure in philosophy. His life shows that wisdom and character matter more than wealth or appearance.
  3. Socrates' way of questioning others helps uncover true wisdom. He challenged people to think deeply about love, politics, and death, which are still relevant today.

On Techno-pragmatism

ailogblog • 579 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Techno-pragmatism offers a balanced approach to technology, acknowledging both its potential and risks.
  2. Pragmatism emphasizes action and adequacy, rejecting fixed principles and absolutes.
  3. In the face of uncertainty with emergent technologies like AI, a pragmatic mindset that prioritizes observation and experimentation is crucial.

There are no moral laws out there

Optimally Irrational • 111 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Moral realism is unlikely: there probably aren’t absolute moral laws that exist independently of us, since a naturalistic view gives no clear source or access to such outside moral truths.
  2. Major defenses of moral realism often just systematize our moral intuitions or assume values exist, leaning on appeals to consequences or preference rather than proving mind‑independent moral facts.
  3. Rejecting objective moral laws doesn’t imply moral anarchy: morality can be grounded naturalistically as evolved social rules and cooperative norms that guide behavior without needing metaphysical moral facts.

NYT Ethicist's Weight Stigma Hypocrisy Part 2

Weight and Healthcare • 918 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Ethics
  1. The column discusses weight stigma and hypocrisy in healthcare, pointing out discrimination based on body size.
  2. It highlights the importance of respecting boundaries and being cautious with compliments related to body size manipulation.
  3. The response from the Ethicist regarding concerns about weight loss drugs brings to light inconsistencies and potential ethical issues.

The Ad That Radicalised Me

The Ruffian • 1511 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. The debate around assisted dying brings up strong feelings. Some people see the law as a way to help those who are suffering, while others worry it could hurt vulnerable people.
  2. Critics argue that individual choice shouldn't come before community values. They believe allowing assisted dying could lead to a slippery slope where life is devalued.
  3. It's important to talk honestly about the trade-offs involved. Opposing the bill means accepting that some people will continue to suffer, which is a tough reality to face.

The AI safety problem is wanting

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 531 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. AI safety is a big concern, and the main challenge is to make AI systems want to be nice to us. If they don't want to, they won't care about what we want.
  2. Trying to impose restrictions on AI won't work because a smarter AI can always find a way around them. Instead, we need to align AI with our values so it chooses to act positively.
  3. If we can ensure that AI genuinely wants to do what's best for us, the rest of the alignment problems become easier to manage. It's all about making sure AI understands and respects our values.

On Liberty and Cruelty

Fake Noûs • 442 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Factory farming causes a lot of suffering for animals and is seen as wrong because it benefits humans in minor ways. If it's wrong to cause suffering, then buying products from factory farms is also wrong.
  2. Being a libertarian means having certain political beliefs, but it doesn't mean you can't hold other views, like advocating for ethical vegetarianism. It's important to recognize that ethical beliefs can be separate from political ideologies.
  3. Using logic that justifies harming animals, like saying they wouldn't exist without factory farming, can lead to troubling conclusions, such as justifying slavery. We should consider humane alternatives and questioning these justifications.

The Biden Administration’s Prosecution of Dr. Eithan Haim

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1446 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Ethics
  1. Dr. Eithan Haim is facing serious legal trouble for speaking out about gender transition treatments being offered to minors at Texas Children's Hospital. He believes these treatments are unethical and harmful.
  2. Haim feels that delaying puberty in children with gender dysphoria is making them sick and is against his medical ethics.
  3. Many of Haim's fellow doctors also have concerns but are afraid to speak up due to the pressure and potential consequences they might face in their careers.

Pinochet in London

A Lawyer Writes • 432 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
đź’ľ History Ethics
  1. The Pinochet case in London was a unique and groundbreaking event in English legal history.
  2. The case led to significant changes in the English legal system, pushing it into the modern era.
  3. Despite the legal twists and turns, Pinochet was never extradited to Spain due to health reasons.

In the race between humans and AIs, Data Governance might be the only lever we can pull, to charge for a fair win against the machines

The Diary of a #DataCitizen • 19 implied HN points • 28 Aug 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Data governance is important for keeping technology human-friendly. It helps us make sure that tech doesn't take over our lives.
  2. The rise of AI has changed the game, making data and AI governance even more crucial. We need to focus on using technology in ways that benefit everyone.
  3. Good tech creates real value for people. It's about how well technology works for the users, not just its shiny features or capabilities.

đź’› Artificial Intelligence: A Boon for Humanity or a Dreadful Weapon of Tyranny?

The Glenn Meder Newsletter • 530 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
đź•ą Technology Ethics
  1. Artificial intelligence has advanced rapidly, blurring the line between human and AI interactions.
  2. Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook use AI to manipulate public opinion and influence elections.
  3. AI, in the hands of those seeking power, can be a dangerous tool for control and manipulation of individuals and society.

Why RETVRN Is Not a Solution

Aaron Renn • 530 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. The American right needs to focus more on looking forward than looking backward.
  2. The American right should have a future vision for the country.
  3. Effective altruism and faithful presence share similarities in justifying self-interested elite behavior.

Three Things That Should Be Required For Weight Loss Research

Weight and Healthcare • 718 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Ethics
  1. Require five-year follow-up with mandatory publication to improve accuracy and information in weight loss studies
  2. Mandate essential information in bold print at the beginning of weight loss studies to ensure transparency and accessibility
  3. Implement a weight-neutral comparator group in weight loss studies to distinguish impacts of behavior changes from weight loss, reducing health risks

Places to intervene in a system

Subconscious • 1423 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Intervening in a system can be done through different levels of influence, starting from simple changes like adjusting parameters to deeper shifts like altering mindsets.
  2. All systems are creations of our thoughts and perspectives, meaning we can change how we view these systems, which can influence outcomes.
  3. True change often requires patience and may not show immediate results, so focusing on inner transformation is essential for meaningful progress.

The Flip, The Formation, and The Fun

The Joyous Struggle • 691 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. The flip involves changing our understanding of reality to see consciousness and value as primary, leading to a sacred view of the world.
  2. The formation requires a shift from utilitarianism to virtue ethics, focusing on shaping desires towards higher purposes and societal good.
  3. The fun pertains to a shift in societal goals from growth to intrinsic ends like spiritual and creative fulfillment, aiming for an attractive and galvanizing future.

Peter Singer, Palestine, and the Professional Perils of Philosophy (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 818 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
đź“– Philosophy Ethics
  1. Approaching current events with only moral intuitions and mainstream opinions can lead to misguided analysis.
  2. Philosophical training in argument analysis needs to be supplemented with a robust understanding of the real world dynamics of power and violence for accurate interpretation.
  3. Relying solely on moral intuitions and mainstream sources for analysis of complex issues like conflict in Palestine can lead to embarrassing misunderstandings and oversimplifications.