The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Cooperation is really quite strange

Something to Consider • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Cooperation Game Theory Trust Society
  1. In games where people simply act in their own self-interest, everyone can end up worse off. This shows how strange cooperation can be.
  2. People's beliefs about currency stability can create real economic problems, even if those beliefs are not matched by reality.
  3. Trust and cooperation are essential for a functioning economy and society. Improving these relationships takes time and effort, often needing everyone to change together.

The cupboards of perfection

De Pony Sum • 294 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Self-Improvement Perfection Identity Ethics
  1. The concept of perfect self-improvement cupboards is explored, where individuals step in to be improved in different ways.
  2. Different versions of the cupboards were created to address issues like changing preferences and ensuring consent at each stage of improvement.
  3. Ultimately, a MetaUltimate cupboard was designed, allowing individuals to go through their preferred self-improvement process, raising questions about what the perfect self-improvement process truly is.

Merrill's razor

Nick Merrill • 275 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Merrill's razor: Do not blame malice, when it could be explained by anxiety or depression.
  2. Consider mental health: Understanding depression or anxiety can change the way we interpret actions.
  3. Be empathetic: Instead of assuming the worst, try to understand the underlying issues.
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The Epic, the Novel, and Rawls

From the New World • 5 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Epistemology Political theory Aesthetics Metaphysics
  1. Rawls' ideas about justice might be influenced by how people are portrayed in media, especially television. This could change how we see human nature and its differences.
  2. The concept of living through fiction, whether in novels or other narratives, has been around for a long time. It suggests that people have always had the ability to empathize with others, even without modern technology.
  3. Though television might make humanity seem more similar, earlier thinkers like Hobbes and Locke also explored human nature in unique ways, showing that this question is not new.

Locke, I've Come to Bargain

From the New World • 16 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Enlightenment AI Ethics Rhetoric
  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.

Woman: A Non-Circular Definition

Bet On It • 684 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Society Ethics Identity Film
  1. The documentary 'What Is a Woman?' is praised for being sublime, humane, and hilarious despite controversy.
  2. Interviewees in the film struggled to define 'woman' in a non-circular way due to their dogmas.
  3. The film challenges views on transgenderism and highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding the topic.

Preorder Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit & Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

Stripe Press • 275 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🚌 Education Investment Philanthropy Ethics History Decision-making
  1. The book shares timeless lessons on investment strategy, philanthropy, and living a rational and ethical life
  2. It emphasizes the importance of learning from history to prepare for the present and future
  3. The book's goal is to help readers become broad learners with a greater understanding of the world

Beliefs That Sterilize The World with Malcolm Collins

Moral Mayhem Podcast • 79 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Humanity Belief systems Ethics Cultural Studies Social theory
  1. Beliefs can shape how we view and interact with the world. It's important to recognize these beliefs and consider their impact.
  2. Certain beliefs may discourage people from having children, leading to societal challenges. We should think about how our views affect population growth.
  3. Discussing controversial ideas can help us understand different perspectives. Open conversations are key to finding solutions to big issues.

Behold the dreamer

De Pony Sum • 255 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Humanity Forgiveness Suffering Gratitude
  1. Goodness is often based on moral luck, where circumstances may lead anyone to do wrong.
  2. It's challenging to categorize people as good or bad, making it important to choose how to view humanity as a whole.
  3. Forgiveness and gratitude are crucial, especially in recognizing human struggles and efforts to do good amid suffering.

The Soul of the Writer

Secretum Secretorum • 808 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Artificial Intelligence Psychology
  1. GPT-4 and other large language models reflect human writing but may not capture the essence or intelligence accurately.
  2. Not all writers represent the noblest minds; some may be loudmouths, self-aggrandizers, or attention-seekers.
  3. Human intelligence encompasses more than just abstract thought; AI could represent a less evolutionarily-optimized part of our minds.

Reader Question - What Do You Think Of Obesity Medicine?

Weight and Healthcare • 519 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine Weight Fatphobia Ethics Research
  1. The American Board of Obesity Medicine certification is not officially recognized and may have financial ties to the weight loss industry.
  2. Doctors certified in Obesity Medicine may prioritize weight loss over patient health, potentially risking lives to achieve thinness.
  3. Patients, especially those who are fat, need to be cautious and research recommendations from doctors certified in Obesity Medicine to ensure the best interest of their health.

Chomsky on ChatGPT: Are Machine Learning Systems Like Concentration Camp Guards?

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 339 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Ethics AI
  1. Noam Chomsky and his co-authors discuss the 'moral indifference' of ChatGPT due to cognitive limitations, possibly overlooking a deeper point.
  2. There is a comparison made between machine learning systems like ChatGPT and the behavior of concentration camp guards, raising ethical concerns.
  3. The post shares insights on the Iraq bombing's anniversary and upcoming ground invasion anniversary, along with additional discussions available for paid subscribers.

Group Narcissism

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 429 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Sociology Psychology Ethnicity Religion Ethics
  1. The concept of group narcissism can explain conflicts within society where groups exaggerate their own virtues and respond disproportionately when threatened.
  2. Vicarious group narcissism occurs when a group cannot exhibit its own narcissism, so it projects this onto another group, creating additional issues.
  3. Maintaining civility in a diverse society requires allowing old ethnic and religious bonds to fade, but current conflicts globally suggest these bonds are being strengthened, leading to rising group narcissism and vicarious group narcissism.

Whose ethics? Whose AI?

imperfect offerings • 159 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🚌 Education Ethics AI Learning Teaching Research
  1. Building an ethical ecosystem for AI in academia requires collaboration and coordination within the sector to meet regulatory requirements and promote openness.
  2. Designing assignments that make the use of generative AI tools less compelling can enhance learning outcomes and reduce the need for detection methods that undermine trust.
  3. Individual educators should challenge the idea that students can act ethically in a context lacking supportive infrastructure for informed ethical decision-making, and focus on conversations about writing practice to foster understanding and development.

The view from utopia

De Pony Sum • 255 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Aesthetics Metaphysics
  1. Think about what kind of world you would create in different scenarios of power and capacity
  2. Challenge traditional theories of the good life by considering extreme scenarios
  3. Imagine creating a complex and diverse utopia with opportunities for growth and experience

Evolutionary Ethics

Doc Hammer's Anvil • 255 implied HN points • 13 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Evolution Morality Culture Species
  1. Morality is subjective but also objective in extremes, with the real debate lying in the middle ground.
  2. Societies with dysfunctional morality can be seen as sick due to cultural contagion, but can also experience evolutionary changes.
  3. Evolutionary processes differ from human incremental changes, resulting in species adapting to different environments and niches.

How Much of a Courtier Is Walter Isaacson Þese Days?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 507 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authors Media Ethics Analysis Justice
  1. Reading journalism written by a courtier can be frustrating because the true meaning might not be clear.
  2. It's important to critically analyze claims and information presented in articles, especially those involving high-profile figures.
  3. Having more background knowledge can help in decoding underlying messages in journalistic pieces.

(Ad-free Video) Jennifer Doudna: Scientist and World Changer

Critical Mass • 5 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🔬 Science Genetics Biochemistry Research Technology Ethics
  1. Jennifer Doudna played a key role in developing CRISPR, a powerful genetic tool that could greatly impact human health and genetics.
  2. Her work highlights the importance of fundamental research in science, which can lead to unexpected and significant advancements.
  3. Discussions around scientific discoveries like CRISPR are crucial as society must consider the ethical responsibilities that come with such powerful tools.

Otherness and control in the age of AGI

Joe Carlsmith's Substack • 157 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism AI Values Control
  1. The series explores questions about how agents with different values should interact, especially in the age of increasingly powerful AI systems.
  2. It discusses topics like deep atheism, control-seeking behavior, and the ethics of influencing the values of others.
  3. The essays aim to prompt deeper thinking about existential risks from misaligned AI and the broader issues of otherness and control in shaping the future.

November Newsletter

RSS DS+AI Section • 29 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Data science Machine Learning Research Ethics
  1. Data science and AI are constantly evolving, with new research and developments being released regularly. It's important to stay updated on these changes to understand their implications.
  2. Ethics, bias, and regulation in AI continue to be hot topics. Discussions around how to handle these challenges are crucial for the responsible use of AI technologies.
  3. There are many practical applications and resources available for those interested in implementing AI. Tips and how-to guides can help individuals and organizations make better use of these technologies.

What happened four years ago feels more like four lifetimes ago, no?

Tessa Fights Robots • 29 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Freedom Self-awareness
  1. It's important to understand who you truly are and why you're here. Once you figure that out, the right actions will follow naturally.
  2. There’s a lot of noise in the world that seems important, but it often distracts us from what really matters. Focus on genuine love and connection instead of getting caught up in trends.
  3. Real change and understanding come from love and unity, not division or judgment. Emphasizing kindness can help break free from negative influences.

Virtue in Two Acts

From the New World • 32 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Political theory Ethics Social Science
  1. Modern society may be more ignorant than previous ones, as we have created layers of belief and technology that distance us from true understanding. This is like being in a cave beneath another cave, where we lose sight of the bigger picture.
  2. Political philosophy, once a comprehensive study of human affairs, has become fragmented and superficial. This change means we often miss deeper truths and only focus on narrow aspects of social science.
  3. To truly understand political issues, we need to combine technical knowledge with an appreciation of human values. This balance helps us see what is good and guides our actions effectively.

Good for nothing

Thoughts on Writing • 599 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Branding Effectiveness Advertising
  1. The concept of purpose in branding can lead to purpose nihilism and moral grandstanding, creating a focus on image rather than genuine altruism.
  2. Critics of purpose-driven campaigns often focus on ethical concerns over commercial effectiveness, highlighting the tension between doing good and making profits.
  3. Effective altruism movements, while aiming for rational philanthropy, can sometimes lead to noble cause corruption, blurring ethical lines for the sake of perceived long-term benefits.

“Succession” and the end of the illusion of ethical capitalism

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 890 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture TV Series Capitalism Ethics Society Morality
  1. The idea that capitalism can be successful and ethical is shattered by the portrayal in the TV series 'Succession.'
  2. The distinction between a society following legal rules versus one that is truly ethical is highlighted, emphasizing the need to minimize the use of power in both markets and within companies.
  3. The blurring of moral lines between personal and professional spheres in 'Succession' serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of commercialization and amoral behavior in our society.