The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

Agnes Callard's Slavery Poll

Going Awol • 239 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Agnes Callard faced backlash for asking if it's better to suffer blamelessly than to live a nice life doing something morally horrifying.
  2. Critics questioned the timing and format of Callard's poll on slavery, suggesting it was inappropriate or limiting choices.
  3. Ayn Rand supporters like Gregory Salmieri criticized Callard's hypothetical scenario for being disconnected from actionable situations.

Social Conservatism as 4D Chess

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 2048 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Social conservatives make claims about higher-order effects to justify their positions on issues like abortion and euthanasia, but these claims often lack evidence or are disproven by cross-national comparisons.
  2. Slippery slope arguments can be valid in limited contexts, but broad claims like legalizing prostitution affecting overall societal values need substantial evidence, which is often lacking.
  3. Government policies in free countries have limited influence on shaping culture predictably; the impact is often chaotic and hard to plan for, as seen by historical examples of social policies not aligning with expected cultural changes.

Overpriced Friends

Fake Noûs • 259 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Many people overlook the kindness of their true friends and instead chase after the approval of those who don't appreciate them. This can make us unhappy and lead us to miss out on real connections.
  2. We often value things more if they seem hard to get. This 'Groucho Marx tendency' makes us think that easy friendships are somehow less valuable, which isn't true.
  3. Building strong friendships should focus on how well we connect, not on how hard it is to win someone over. Deep, meaningful relationships are the ones that truly matter.

On Dwarkesh's 3rd Podcast with Tyler Cowen

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2195 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. The conversation covered a range of topics from Tyler Cowen's book on economists to discussions about AI and existential risk.
  2. Tyler is praised for his in-depth knowledge and skill of pivoting conversations and asking relevant questions.
  3. The post also focuses on debunking misconceptions and clarifying points made by Tyler Cowen.

Sunday Strip: Paranoid lately?

Who is Robert Malone • 41 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Sometimes what looks like paranoia is actually a rational response to real facts and information, so suspicion can be justified when evidence lines up.
  2. Those in power control narratives by steering questions and limiting criticism, so who you cannot criticize often indicates who is controlling you.
  3. Paranoia often springs from fear mixed with good sense, and you can either let it make you miserable or use it to make yourself stronger.
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Training large language models on my loved ones' data

Reboot • 26 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Expert data labelers produce the high-quality reasoning traces that power recent LLM advances, yet they work as precarious gig labor with opaque rules, unstable pay, and no real career path.
  2. AI companies capture huge value from this labor and then displace or sideline those workers as models learn to generate synthetic data, causing layoffs and downward pressure on wages.
  3. There are simple, practical protections that could help: portable credentials, transparency about how data is used, the ability for workers to communicate and appeal, and explicit credit or recognition for their contributions.

Our Slovenly Willingness

The Absent-Minded Professor • 275 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Apple's Vision Pro is pushing for a future of computing that may erode our sense of community.
  2. The increasing closeness of technology to us poses a new layer of distraction and potential harm to individual and communal well-being.
  3. Critically examining our reliance on technology can help us preserve our connection to nature and community over a machine-driven lifestyle.

What's Imagination For, Anyway?

Cybernetic Forests • 279 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Ethics
  1. Art can either sell systems of power or support technocracy, highlighting the importance of using art to question and challenge technology rather than serve as a tool for propping up power.
  2. Imagination is often linked with AI, but it's crucial to move beyond speculative thinking to consider the real impacts and consequences of AI on our world today.
  3. Artists, when working with and against technology, can play a role in subverting and challenging powerful systems by acting as parasites, critiquing and revealing flaws instead of just showcasing technological prowess.

Oppenheimer shows scientists' humanity

Science Forever • 557 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🔬 Science Ethics
  1. Oppenheimer's inner turmoil over leading Los Alamos and trying to stop nuclear weapons is a key aspect of the movie.
  2. Scientists have difficulty keeping scientific findings to themselves due to egos and the belief that knowledge belongs to the world.
  3. Edward Teller is portrayed as the most evil scientist for his role in developing the hydrogen bomb and his ties to the military industrial complex.

Can AIs provide psychedelic therapy? 5 Questions for chatbot ChatGPT

The Microdose • 550 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. ChatGPT states it may not be able to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy like a human therapist due to the need for personal connection and emotional support.
  2. Ethical and legal considerations in using AI for therapy involve informed consent, data privacy, liability, regulation, and ensuring access for all patients.
  3. Mystical experiences on psychedelics are described as profound, ineffable, and life-changing, involving a sense of unity with the universe and a deep emotional impact.

Should AI Be Allowed to Train On My Work?

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. New AI tools can make surprisingly good, cheap videos and deepfakes, including realistic-looking celebrity scenes.
  2. Hollywood studios and unions are already pushing back with legal threats, so litigation and new case law on AI are likely to grow.
  3. Creators are angry that AI is often trained on copyrighted work, since that can teach models before they displace people's jobs, and the debate over rights and remedies is messy and unresolved.

The New Medical Supernemesis

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 794 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Ethics
  1. The concept of 'the Deal' suggests a future where people can live up to 280 years, but it comes with heavy trade-offs, like losing personal belongings and facing a controlled way of dying. It's a challenging idea about how we value life and death.
  2. In this future scenario, many might feel trapped in a fake version of life, where they experience pleasant distractions instead of actually living. The imagery of a body trying to escape emphasizes the struggle against a hollow existence.
  3. Reflecting on this situation can make us question our current medical practices and life choices, similar to how historical figures have critiqued society. It invites a deeper discussion about what it truly means to live and die in our time.

In Praise of Lying to Children

Going Awol • 179 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The debate about lying to children, including about Santa, Easter Bunny, and Tooth Fairy, is a recurring one.
  2. Different ethical arguments are presented, like the Consequentialist Argument and the Non-Consequentialist Argument, discussing the impact of such lies on trust, critical thinking, and moral development.
  3. While some argue that lying to children about these characters can impede moral development and gratitude expression, others suggest that the magic added to a child's life through these stories can be a positive influence.

A meaning of life

Philosophy bear • 57 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Meaning isn’t just an abstract answer but a story you craft to present your values to yourself in an aesthetic and emotional way, so life feels purposeful and livable.
  2. The best human life mixes bliss, adventure, creativity, friendship, and deliberate struggle, and rich, responsive simulations (with real-seeming people) can help deliver those deeply felt experiences.
  3. We can and should work to reshape the world and ourselves toward an intelligently designed moral order—ending involuntary death and needless suffering, guiding evolution, and improving animal welfare—while preserving voluntary challenge and growth.

Issues in Philosophy of Memory 4

The Memory Palace • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The philosophy of memory is growing quickly, with more conferences and research on it recently. People are exploring topics about how we remember and what memory means.
  2. The fourth conference on philosophy of memory will take place in Geneva in June 2024. It will feature key talks and papers from researchers from many different countries.
  3. The event will cover a wide range of memory-related topics, from how we remember to the connections between memory and emotions. It aims to inspire new ideas and discussions in the field.

Bret Weinstein Sure Has A Lot Of Theories

Singal-Minded • 1950 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. Bret Weinstein has been promoting conspiracy theories and fringe beliefs, misleading his audience and spreading misinformation.
  2. Weinstein irresponsibly suggested a link between Kary Mullis's death, Anthony Fauci criticism, and Covid policies, without evidence.
  3. Weinstein tends to make inflammatory insinuations and vague claims, aiming to appeal to conspiracy-minded individuals and fuel their fears.

Vegan Purity

coldhealing • 530 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Ethics
  1. Veganism requires constant action against societal norms, urging purity through abstinence.
  2. Personal conversion to veganism can be influenced by ethical reasons and a deep-rooted commitment to one's true self.
  3. Veganism can be challenging but serves as a guiding beacon of purity, even in difficult moments.

Why We Build It Matters

The Absent-Minded Professor • 275 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. When building technology, consider both strengths and weaknesses to extend humanity rather than bypass it.
  2. Human nature remains a common denominator in technological advancements.
  3. Question the motives behind building Artificial General Intelligence and consider if it aligns with creating the desired world.

Technology should reintegrate humans into planetary life

storyvoyager • 8 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Trying to dominate or 'master' nature comes from fear and isolates us, so we should stop treating the living world as an enemy and accept we won't fully control it.
  2. Technology should reintegrate humans into planetary life by immersing us in ecosystems rather than pulling us into abstract, life-simulating worlds.
  3. Design tech to enhance our senses and empathy—like listening to trees, feeling animal heartbeats, or sensing earthquakes—so we can connect with nature without violence or exploitation.

Are You Considering a Career Pivot into the Security of AI?

Rod’s Blog • 357 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Considering a career pivot into the security of AI can be a valuable choice to make a positive impact on society.
  2. Having an interest in technology's implications, experience in various tech projects, and awareness of technology's consequences are good reasons to pursue AI security.
  3. Opportunities in AI security offer potential for career growth, impact, and contribution to shaping a safer, ethical, and beneficial AI future.

The view from above

The Stoic Journal • 15 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Imagining a 'view from above'—zooming out until your problems look tiny—makes urgent feelings fade.
  2. This perspective doesn't fix the situation, but it helps you right-size problems and stay calmer and clearer.
  3. You are both a small speck in the world and a mind that can hold the whole picture, and remembering that duality lets you change how you feel even when things stay the same.

The Symposium: Liron Shapira

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 5 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. A public symposium on Sunday, February 22 will feature Liron Shapira debating whether AI could destroy humanity, and attendees are invited to join, ask questions, and state their p(doom).
  2. Shapira’s Doom Debates aim to raise mainstream awareness and urgency about existential AI risk; they argue that only when ordinary people see unaligned superintelligent AI as an imminent life‑threat will leaders take decisive protective action.
  3. Readers are encouraged to prepare by reading the canonical doomer essay If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies, watching Shapira’s debates, and exploring recommended essays on the AI control problem and related policy and persuasion issues.

Groundless Morals

Fake Noûs • 348 implied HN points • 31 May 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The idea that morality depends on God is questioned. If God's commands are arbitrary, then morality can seem subjective.
  2. Secular views can provide a strong basis for objective morality. Concepts like universals help make sense of moral truths without needing a divine source.
  3. Many arguments used to support theism, like the ontological argument, are seen as flawed. They don't prove God's existence because a definition doesn't guarantee a real thing.

Private Philosophy > Public Philosophy

thestoa • 294 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy 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.

No Self, No Politics

Everything Is Bullshit • 511 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. The author discusses how combining spirituality with evolutionary psychology can be beneficial for personal growth.
  2. The text highlights the idea that political beliefs are often shaped by alliances and power dynamics rather than truth or personal values.
  3. It suggests that it's okay to prioritize personal growth and non-political actions over being deeply involved in political discourse.

What do I know about Artificial Intelligence?

The Joyous Struggle • 395 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Many people have mixed feelings about technology, especially artificial intelligence, due to fear of missing out, lack of understanding, and a sense of exclusion from the tech world.
  2. The author shares a sense of 'tech incredulity' toward AI, questioning its potential impact, limitations, and whether it truly warrants the level of concern it receives.
  3. Despite not having expert knowledge, the author acknowledges a responsibility to learn more about AI, to demystify the complexities surrounding it, and to understand the risks, potential, and ethical implications better.

✨😈 Is AI really a 'deal with the devil?'

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Science fiction often shows us two sides: one where technology helps us thrive and another where it brings doom. It's important to focus on the positive potential of technology, like AI, rather than just the fears.
  2. Many stories about artificial intelligence lean toward the negative, showing it as a threat to humanity. This comes from a long history of tales warning us about the dangers of seeking forbidden knowledge.
  3. The idea of trading something valuable for knowledge is age-old, like in the story of Faust. This shows that while there are risks in technology, curiosity and progress can lead to great benefits if approached wisely.

Resistance is necessary

Austin Kleon • 1878 implied HN points • 02 Aug 22
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Resistance helps us move forward. Without some friction, we can't really make progress in life.
  2. We often get distracted by easy paths. It's important to seek out challenges that guide us in the right direction.
  3. Creativity thrives on challenges. Facing resistance can spark new ideas and help us grow.

Manners by design: an essay

Design Lobster • 499 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🪑 Design Ethics
  1. Design choices can consciously influence behavior in various settings.
  2. Software design, especially, aims to shape user behavior through psychological insights.
  3. Designers have a responsibility to consider the impact of their design choices on users' behavior and well-being.

Mountains Hanging by a Hair

What Is Called Thinking? • 18 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Many detailed Jewish laws rest on minimal scriptural wording yet are treated as fully authoritative, justified by the claim they were handed down at Sinai and by longstanding communal acceptance.
  2. Oral law functions like hair growing from the body of the written Torah: it organically extends, elaborates, and depends on the text while creating a coherent whole where meaning arises from the system rather than isolated words.
  3. When legal reasoning is unmoored from communal acceptance and lived obligation it becomes mere intellectual virtuosity, so legitimacy ultimately depends on practice and social recognition rather than purely abstract derivation.

"You Sit on a Throne of Lies"

Investing 101 • 41 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. Stories have real power to shape who we are, so choose and tell them carefully because they teach values and give life meaning.
  2. Myths like Santa can help teach goodness, but when kids find out they were deceived it can create cynicism, so clearly separate playful allegory from factual truth to keep trust.
  3. Don’t give up on finding truth — investigate beliefs and hold nuanced convictions rather than assuming everything is false or picking comforting lies, because real faith or truth gives lasting meaning.

Attitudes one can take towards people who have behaved badly

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 875 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. Social punishment is a natural part of how humans interact, helping to enforce a social contract. It can feel too harsh or unjust at times, but it still serves a purpose.
  2. There's a tricky balance in discussing the ideas of people who have done bad things. We need to find ways to remember their contributions without overlooking their wrongdoings.
  3. It's important to correct the record if someone is proven innocent after being publicly condemned. Reputations can suffer permanently, and it’s crucial to acknowledge when we've gotten things wrong.

✨ Life in an AI utopia: A Quick Q&A with futurist and philosopher Nick Bostrom

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. It's often easier for people to imagine a bad future, like in movies, than a good one. This can affect how cultures think about their future.
  2. When thinking about a perfect world, many people share similar ideas, like having peace and cleanliness. But if everything goes perfectly, we might miss out on challenges that give our lives meaning.
  3. The future of artificial intelligence could be really bright or really dark. We need to prepare for both possibilities because we are entering a new era with big changes ahead.

Reflections in a Puddle

Fragmentary • 491 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Interacting with ChatGPT highlights its limitations and lack of true artificial intelligence.
  2. The hype around large language models as AI may be misleading; they are more like well-executed information tools.
  3. Adding new technologies has societal consequences that should be considered and policies set accordingly.

Greatness or Virtue

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Many people prioritize success over being virtuous, which shows how we often chase fame and wealth instead of moral goodness.
  2. We tend to measure our moral worth by comparing ourselves to those who are worse, rather than aiming for the best examples of virtue.
  3. While personal success is valuable, true moral respect comes from being virtuous, not just successful; it's important to aim for both.