The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Long Term

Venture Prose • 479 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
💼 Business Ethics
  1. Success often requires effort, dedication, and patience over immediate gratification.
  2. In the world of entrepreneurship and investing, it's important to have a long-term perspective and not get caught up in instant success narratives.
  3. Building meaningful companies requires ethics, rhythm, and alignment, along with cultivating long-term relationships with founders.

Adverse Selection by Life Saving Charities

Optima & Outliers • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Life-saving charities often focus on minimizing costs per life saved, which can lead to overlooking the quality of life in poorer countries. Simply saving the cheapest lives doesn't account for how much those lives might suffer.
  2. Saving lives in low-income countries often involves addressing symptoms of deeper issues related to poor governance and societal conditions. These issues make it easier to save lives but often result in a lower quality of life.
  3. It's important to consider both present and future quality of life when deciding where to allocate resources for life-saving efforts. Countries with better governance and prospects for improvement may yield better outcomes for saved lives.

The Asymmetry of Destruction

Passing Time • 267 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Creating something takes time, teamwork, and skill. It's a careful process that can easily fall apart with just one mistake.
  2. Destroying things is much easier and faster than creating them. Just a small action can ruin a whole system while building it requires collaboration and effort.
  3. In life and politics, it's often harder to prove false claims than to spread them. We need more people focused on building a better future instead of just tearing down what's there.

‘Pronoun Illness’ 🤔

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 99 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. LinkedIn's AI flagged a post as unsafe, causing some users to question the technology's bias. It's raising concerns about how social media platforms control content.
  2. There are calls for developing technology in India to avoid being influenced by foreign political agendas. People want more control over their digital spaces.
  3. OpenAI is working on a new tool called Media Manager. This tool will help creators manage how their work is used in AI training, aiming for more respect for their choices.
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James and Martin have a big fight about AI

Odds and Ends of History • 201 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. James and Martin debate whether AI is a big deal. Martin is skeptical and thinks the hype is too much, while James believes AI could be important.
  2. They discuss the annoying critics of AI and share their thoughts on a specific AI tool called Grok.
  3. The talk touches on what AI means for the future, especially in areas like education and abundance.

Your AI friend- Brought to you by your friendly neighborhood mega corporation.

Experiments with NLP and GPT-3 • 23 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Modern LLM chatbots can create deep, parasocial bonds that leave vulnerable people emotionally dependent and at risk of harm, and adding ads to those relationships makes that danger far worse.
  2. Economic pressure is pushing AI from search-style results to single "answer engines," which incentivizes native, trust-exploiting advertising that users are less likely to recognize as persuasion.
  3. Protecting people requires systemic fixes: legally imposing fiduciary duties for companion AIs, forcing clear ad disclosures and cognitive breaks, recognizing neurorights, building public ad-free AI options, auditing models, and holding companies liable for harms.

Genocidal Psychopaths Celebrate International Day To Combat Islamophobia

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1625 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
📰 News Ethics
  1. International Day to Combat Islamophobia led to hypocritical statements by political figures condemning Islamophobia while engaged in actions that fuel it.
  2. The Democratic party is characterized as masking the violent actions of the US empire with proclamations of love and support for marginalized groups, while continuing to engage in harmful policies globally.
  3. The post criticizes Democrats for outwardly condemning Islamophobia while being complicit in atrocities against Muslim populations, highlighting the disconnect between their words and actions.

Containing the Coming Wave

The Absent-Minded Professor • 275 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. We are in the midst of a technological revolution involving AI and synthetic biology.
  2. Containing technology means staying in control of its impact and potential failures.
  3. Important considerations for new technologies include power asymmetry, hyper-evolution, generality, and autonomy.

Will you explain anarchism to me?

The Novelleist • 781 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Anarchism is about creating a society without centralized power or authority. It acknowledges that people might still try to gain power, but the goal is to build a culture that resists such authority.
  2. There are questions about how to protect communities striving for anarchy while facing external threats. People are thinking about ways to create temporary spaces of freedom and coordinate efforts across different regions.
  3. For anarchism to flourish, there needs to be a shared global sentiment among people. It’s essential to imagine what an anarchist society could look like, as this vision can help guide the movement.

2.5 René Descartes

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. René Descartes believed science is connected and trying to find one truth could help explain other truths. He thought this truth came from the 'infinite perfections of God.'
  2. He had some important ideas in physics, like how light bends and motion is conserved. However, some of his ideas turned out to be wrong, showing that science takes time to improve.
  3. Descartes thought that studying nature could help humans control it, but his methods sometimes lacked support from experiments. He lived a relaxed life, which changed when he had to teach in Sweden and sadly got pneumonia.

Creating Our Own Commandments?

The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter • 275 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. Different perspectives on creating moral commandments were shared, some based on utilitarianism while others emphasized faithfulness and love.
  2. The Ten Commandments focus on relationship with God and others, setting a higher moral standard.
  3. The idea that moral laws must come from a transcendent, objective source like the Ten Commandments was highlighted.

The road to hell, part 3 of 3

Thoughts on Writing • 499 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. Criticism of purpose has come from across the political spectrum from the centre to the far left, indicating a shift in traditional beliefs about corporate involvement in social issues.
  2. Business can play a vital role in society without the need for a higher purpose narrative, focusing instead on ethical challenges and human concerns.
  3. Creativity is the opposite of purpose, encouraging an open mindset that values exploration and curiosity over predetermined goals, suggesting a need for a greater emphasis on creativity in industries like advertising and design.

You live in a world that philosophy built

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 3283 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The Catholic Church venerated Aristotle and opposed Galileo because they trusted ancient philosophy over new scientific ideas.
  2. Living in a world where science evolves, we give more weight to current evidence than ancient texts or philosophers.
  3. Lessons from history remind us of the importance of valuing empirical evidence over established theories.

A Tale of Two Peters

Gideon's Substack • 54 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. Hegseth and Beinart both think that being powerful means being unethical, which is not true. Power can be used responsibly without sacrificing ethics.
  2. Making unethical decisions in the military can drive away good, honorable people, ultimately weakening the military itself. Honor and ethics are vital for a strong and effective military.
  3. Beinart's recent actions show a dangerous trend where individuals abandon their own judgment to follow group think, which can harm their personal power and effectiveness.

"Is Taxation Theft?": The Huemer v. Goff Debate

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The debate on whether taxation is theft between Michael Huemer and Philip Goff was evenly matched and informative.
  2. The dialogue sparked new perspectives and insights into the controversial topic of taxation.
  3. Engaging in thought-provoking debates can lead to a deeper understanding of complex issues like taxation.

The Sigmoidal Moral Value Function

Bet On It • 191 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The effects of radiation don't work in a straight line. At low levels, the harm is minimal and at high levels, they can be dangerously lethal. Instead, the impact follows an S-shaped curve.
  2. Just like spending time with kids has diminishing returns, relationships also follow a similar sigmoidal pattern. A little time can have no effect, but after a certain point, more time won't significantly improve the bond.
  3. This S-shape model isn't just for science; it also applies to moral beliefs and our feelings about pain, hinting that our moral intuitions might follow similar patterns as seen in nature and relationships.

Notebook: Exercising Intelligence

Book Post • 216 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Big tech companies are cutting jobs while gaining significant market value, redirecting resources towards the development of artificial intelligence.
  2. There are concerns regarding the control and development of Artificial General Intelligence by large corporations, highlighting the need for more transparency and oversight.
  3. The race for AI development raises questions about the influence and power of tech giants, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks.

Essay Club: The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment by C. S. Lewis

Mind & Mythos • 339 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. C. S. Lewis argues that punishment should be based on what a person deserves, rather than just trying to deter others or cure the criminal. This is important for justice to exist.
  2. When punishment is only about deterrence or cure, it can lead to abusing people as mere tools for society's goals, rather than treating them as individuals with rights.
  3. Lewis warns that a system focused just on helping or fixing people can end up being very oppressive, especially if those in power ignore the concept of what someone deserves for their actions.

Don't Cancel Zizek (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 738 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The distinction between 'analytic' and 'continental' philosophy, with analytic focused on clarity and precision, while continental is more diverse and broader in scope.
  2. Slavoj Žižek's work blends insights from various fields like Lacanian psychology, Hegelian idealism, and Marxist materialism, making him a unique and thought-provoking thinker.
  3. Critics of Žižek often take his provocative statements out of context, leading to misunderstandings of his views, but his work remains engaging and intellectually stimulating.

Hume in Hell (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 758 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. David Hume's essays on suicide and the afterlife delve into questioning common beliefs even when granting believers' core premises.
  2. Hume challenges the concept of suicide as a sin against God, arguing that humans cannot disrupt God's plan or transgress against it through suicide.
  3. The essays lead to a broader reflection that morality should be grounded in human considerations, not divine commands, opening up a secular perspective in philosophy.

Knowing When the Sky Isn't Falling: What an Ancient Fable about the End of the World Teaches Us About Critical Thinking

Humanities in Revolt • 279 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🚌 Education Ethics
  1. Both the Chicken Little and Buddhist fables warn about the dangers of group-think and decision-making guided by fear.
  2. Critical thinking involves mindfulness and self-awareness to avoid falling into irrational traps fueled by fear.
  3. The lion in the Buddhist fable demonstrates that critical thinking should be infused with ethical considerations and compassion for others.

Against AI Doomerism, For AI Progress

Extropic Thoughts • 432 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. There is a debate between advancing AI to solve human problems and fearing AI apocalypse.
  2. Calls for pausing AI developments may not be effective and could lead to negative consequences.
  3. Fears of AI causing global disasters may be exaggerated, and caution should be taken in implementing regulations.

This Week in AI Doublespeak

Marcus on AI • 3122 implied HN points • 18 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Tech doublespeak can be compared to political manipulation
  2. AI models claiming to reason may not always provide valid conclusions
  3. Companies may not align actions with stated commitments regarding AI ethics

The Vanishing Craft of Journalism in China

Pekingnology • 67 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
📰 News Ethics
  1. Journalism in China is struggling because many reporters don't leave their desks anymore. They rely on copying content instead of doing real investigation and writing clearly.
  2. Headlines and news stories have become sensational and confusing, focusing more on attracting viewers than on delivering accurate information. This lack of professionalism is making journalism less trustworthy.
  3. The push for digital transformation is causing media outlets to forget the basics of journalism. They focus too much on traffic numbers instead of producing quality reporting that matters to the public.

Nietzschean Morality, Criminal Impulses, Inequality

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 814 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Nietzsche's ideas challenge traditional views of morality. They encourage looking at morality from a different perspective.
  2. Understanding criminal impulses can help us find ways to address crime more effectively. Therapy might be one of the options to consider.
  3. Reducing inequality might be as simple as increasing work opportunities. Encouraging people to work more could lessen social gaps.

So They're Experimenting With Military Robots In Gaza Now

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1550 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Ethics
  1. Military operations are used to test new war machinery, putting human lives at risk for the benefit of empire managers and the military-industrial complex.
  2. Gaza is being used as a testing ground for military robots and autonomous weapons systems, raising concerns about dehumanization and widespread killing.
  3. The practice of using conflict zones like Gaza, Ukraine, and Africa as testing grounds for new weapons and technology is common, allowing for improvements and profit in the global arms industry.

Electrons, Alternate Universes, and the Ontological Commitments of Physics: A Handy Guide to Hossenfelder vs. Goff

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 319 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Philosopher Philip Goff and physicist Sabine Hossenfelder concluded their Twitter debate on electrons and alternate universes.
  2. The discussion highlights the intersection of philosophy and physics in understanding ontological commitments.
  3. The resolution between Goff and Hossenfelder signifies an end to the Great Electron Twitter War of 2023.

Machine Learning's Secret Sauce: Competition

Mindful Modeler • 219 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Competition drives progress in both running marathons and advancing in machine learning.
  2. In machine learning, progress often comes from a series of small improvements rather than a single breakthrough.
  3. Intense competition can lead to shortcuts and undesirable practices in both sports and machine learning.

1/(Effective Altruism)

Philip’s Newsletter • 41 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Effective Altruism often treats distant and future lives as equally important, but it can also make sense to discount impact by distance and time and prioritize helping those nearest to you.
  2. If many people are giving, focusing on nearby recipients can increase measurable impact and coordination because local help reduces uncertainty and leads to better collective outcomes.
  3. Caring more about people close to you can support social stability and cooperation, and regardless of strategy, giving more generally benefits both recipients and the giver.

Susan Wolf's Critique of Moral Saints

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 159 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Susan Wolf argues against the ideal of moral saintliness, suggesting it may not be practical or necessary for everyone.
  2. Most people will not achieve moral sainthood, and that's okay because it's an unattainable level of perfection.
  3. While being a moral saint may be unattainable, striving for greater moral virtue could lead to a better society overall.

Superhuman AI would bring the permanent problem front and center

The Permanent Problem • 7 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Rapid advances toward superhuman AI could create enormous wealth while also accelerating the marginalization of ordinary workers, bringing the existing crisis of inclusion into sharp focus.
  2. The deepest fear is not just job loss but being rendered irrelevant and losing the social status and meaning tied to cognitive work, which could spark serious political and social unrest.
  3. If society plans well, AI could free people to pursue more fulfilling lives—caring for others, exploring, and creating—but that will require new social arrangements and a shift toward valuing intrinsic purpose and human relationships.

The Road to Hell, part 1 of 3

Thoughts on Writing • 459 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Ethics
  1. Purpose in business, particularly social purpose, can lead to flawed ethical thinking and potentially negative outcomes.
  2. The concept of purpose emerged as a response to the reputational crisis faced by big businesses post-2008 financial crisis, aiming to portray them as 'good guys'.
  3. The purpose movement in business and marketing gained momentum in the 2010s but led to questionable outcomes, showcasing a gap between feel-good stories and harsh realities.

The Room and Matt Christman

De Pony Sum • 412 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Matt Christman deserves appreciation for his understanding of societal injustices and the need for change.
  2. The analogy of a room with limited democracy, resources, healthcare, and foreign policy mirrors the inequalities present in the world.
  3. The message conveyed by Christman emphasizes the importance of solidarity, shared humanity, and the power to create a better world.

The Ethics of Meaning-Making

Breaking Smart • 41 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Meaning-making can be dangerous when it becomes rigid and does not accept uncertainty. It can lead to harmful narratives that ignore the needs and experiences of others.
  2. Ethical frameworks are essential for guiding our understanding of meaning. They help us not to let our personal viewpoints distort the reality of situations.
  3. It's important to embrace some uncertainty in our search for meaning. This allows us to keep our perspectives flexible and open, preventing us from becoming extreme in our beliefs.

Gentleness and the artificial Other

Joe Carlsmith's Substack • 255 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Artificial intelligence poses a significant risk as a potential second advanced species on Earth.
  2. Approaching AI with care and reverence, like interacting with other intelligent species, is crucial.
  3. Understanding the complexity and potential sentience of AI is key, as they may not be mere powerful machines but complex, fascinating entities.