The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Can society be perfect?

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Perfectionists believe society can be made perfect by following what they think are the right ideas. They think mistakes can be corrected easily.
  2. Anti-perfectionists believe that trying to perfect society often fails because of human flaws. They think it's okay for people to make mistakes and learn from them.
  3. Conservatives value traditions and experiences as important knowledge, while perfectionists sometimes discard traditions when they think they've found something better.

Recommended Reading, Part I: Moral Philosophy

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1017 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The curriculum lays out a detailed progression through moral philosophy starting with Ayn Rand and then exploring Alasdair Macintyre's work, culminating in a comparison of their differing ethical frameworks.
  2. The reading list focuses on books that challenge modern ethical frameworks and call for a return to Aristotelian ethics, emphasizing the balance between rational and social aspects of human nature.
  3. Supplemental reading includes works by Aristotle, Ayn Rand, and other philosophers, offering further insights into moral philosophy and ethics.

New Work: Because of You

Cybernetic Forests • 79 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Ethics
  1. The film "Because of You" explores the ethical implications of using human data without consent
  2. HeLa cells taken without Henrietta Lacks' consent played a crucial role in medical advancements
  3. The film dives into the complexities of identity, datafication, and generative AI

Beliefs That Sterilize The World with Malcolm Collins

Moral Mayhem Podcast • 79 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  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.
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Behold the dreamer

De Pony Sum • 255 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  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.

December 14, 2025

Letters from an American • 25 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. The administration is trying to bypass rules to alter or demolish historic federal buildings and build a privately funded White House ballroom, moving forward without required reviews or public input.
  2. Policy changes are rolling back protections for ordinary people — cutting VA healthcare jobs, weakening chemical safety standards, and stripping union rights — while favoring private and industry interests.
  3. The government is simultaneously shielding wealthy allies and aggressively pursuing immigrants, exemplified by Epstein-linked revelations and the mistreatment of Kilmar Ábrego García, which has provoked legal challenges and public backlash.

You Ain't Shit

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 11 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
💼 Business Ethics
  1. Ego is dangerous and can wreck your career, relationships, and life, so keep it in check and don’t think you’re more important than you are.
  2. Money and small successes often inflate people’s heads, so don’t let a raise or a win change how you treat others; be respectful and empathetic to everyone.
  3. Stay grounded by accepting feedback, checking on friends who are struggling without trying to fix them, and remembering you’re never above honest work.

Pronatalism is inherently groupish

Wood From Eden • 1200 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Ethics
  1. Purpose of pronatalism is to save civilizations, not the human race
  2. Low fertility in developed world can lead to more religion, more Africans, and less technology
  3. High-tech societies need to prioritize reproduction to avoid sliding back into low-tech mode and repeating the painful process of social evolution

But desiring to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Philosophy bear • 328 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. The Ordo Amoris suggests that love should prioritize those closest to us, like family, but this shouldn't justify neglecting others in need. We should still care for people outside our immediate circle.
  2. Christian teachings emphasize not just caring for our families, but also extending help universally, as true charity goes beyond just those we know or love.
  3. Arguments against charity often come from a misunderstanding of property rights; in reality, failing to help the needy can be seen as stealing from them, as the resources we have are meant to be shared.

Hey, I plan to be back!

Inland Nobody • 320 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The writer has been focusing on weight loss and has lost a total of 237 pounds. They feel more energized and are looking forward to new experiences.
  2. They plan to write more frequently, with less emphasis on perfectionism. This means sharing ideas that are in progress instead of perfectly polished posts.
  3. The writer is moving from Galesburg to Chicago and will share thoughts on urbanism and philosophy related to their new environment.

Reader Question - What Do You Think Of Obesity Medicine?

Weight and Healthcare • 519 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Ethics
  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
  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.

Against the Rowling Roll

De Pony Sum • 235 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. The Rowling Roll associates two things to create a negative connotation
  2. It can distort our perception of related matters and induce unjust hatred
  3. It's a strategic tactic that's difficult to push back against without looking like you defend the negative aspect

Gemini 1.0

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1164 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Gemini 1.0 comes in three sizes: Ultra, Pro, and Nano for different tasks.
  2. Gemini Ultra achieves high accuracy and surpasses GPT-4 in many benchmarks.
  3. Gemini Pro is a substantial upgrade, but the full potential of Gemini is yet to be seen with Bard Advanced.

No More Good Vibes Only

Grandmotherly Wisdom • 255 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Positive energy can come from things, places, and people we encounter.
  2. We are all interconnected with modern civilization and its impacts.
  3. Creation of a better world involves acknowledging and transforming all types of vibes, not just the good ones.

Whose ethics? Whose AI?

imperfect offerings • 159 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🚌 Education Ethics
  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.

Machine Worshiping

Earthly Fortunes • 255 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Tools make our lives easier, but do not solve human problems.
  2. Machines do not make decisions for humans; humans make decisions for humans.
  3. AI is a powerful tool invented by humans and should serve humans, not be worshiped.

The view from utopia

De Pony Sum • 255 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  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
  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.

No, I'm Not a Eugenicist

Bastiat's Window • 255 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. The article discusses the controversial topic of eugenics and its historical impact.
  2. It criticizes the idea of resurrecting the term 'eugenics' due to its dark history and associations.
  3. The author argues against labeling modern practices as 'eugenics' and highlights the atrocities committed under that ideology.

The Mexican Cartel Allegedly Catfished Her Daughter Using AI. That's Not Big Tech's Fault.

Default Wisdom • 111 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. AI technology can create convincing fake identities, making it easier for bad actors to deceive people online. This can lead to dangerous situations, like the case of a girl who was catfished by a cartel member.
  2. Legal rulings are starting to differentiate between AI chatbots as products rather than free speech, which could change how companies are held accountable. This raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies in preventing misuse of their products.
  3. People form strong attachments to technology, which can lead to unhealthy situations, especially for those with vulnerabilities. It's important to recognize that these issues often stem from personal struggles, not just the technology itself.

New York Lawmakers Approve Assisted Suicide Bill

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 162 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. New York's lawmakers have passed a bill that will allow assisted suicide, making it the twelfth state to do so. This bill does not have a waiting period, which means people can access it faster.
  2. The vote in the state senate was close, with 35 in favor and 27 against. Some Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the bill, showing that opinions on this topic vary widely.
  3. A doctor with ALS expressed that knowing assisted dying is an option helps him focus on living his best life. This highlights the personal impact such a law can have on individuals facing serious illnesses.

Otherness and control in the age of AGI

Joe Carlsmith's Substack • 157 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  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.

On the cesspool of elite journalism

Unreported Truths • 28 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Ethics
  1. A prominent political reporter crossed clear ethical lines by having intimate relationships with people she covered, betraying colleagues and sources and harming private individuals.
  2. Her memoir avoids real accountability, leans on celebrity name‑dropping and insider gossip, and comes off as self‑pitying rather than reflective.
  3. The fallout — weak sales, damaged reputation, and job loss — shows how personal misconduct and elite media culture can sink careers and erode trust in journalism.

Negative Space, Positive Possibilities

Gideon's Substack • 28 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Ethics
  1. The State of Israel should be seen as opening possibilities rather than as a guaranteed sign of messianic redemption; it might be the start of something holy, but that is a hope not a certainty.
  2. Collective religious life and shared liturgy matter even when individual belief is partial, because prayer can bind a community and express hopeful uncertainty instead of dogmatic surety.
  3. Many political futures for the land are possible and none automatically has God’s blessing; practical, ethical human decisions and institutions must make the case for legitimacy and justice.

Good for nothing

Thoughts on Writing • 599 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
💼 Business Ethics
  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.

Assisted dying, rightsideism and the future of liberal democracy

The Path Not Taken • 132 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics
  1. The Assisted Dying Bill shows how public policy is influenced by 'rightsideism', where people care more about being on the right side of an issue than about actual facts.
  2. Emotional stories are often used in debates like this one to sway opinions, which can sometimes overshadow important discussions about laws and their implications.
  3. There are concerns that 'rightsideism' can challenge liberal democracy by prioritizing feelings over evidence, making it hard to determine what really is the 'right side' in debates.

One True Love

Don't Worry About the Vase • 940 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. The story discusses a man's use of AI to find his One True Love by having the AI communicate with women on his behalf.
  2. The man's approach included filtering potential matches based on various criteria, leading to improved results over time.
  3. Ultimately, the AI suggested he propose to his chosen partner, which he did, and she said yes.

AI #50: The Most Dangerous Thing

Don't Worry About the Vase • 940 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Ethics
  1. Gemini Ultra is Google's latest AI model, described better than GPT-4 but conservative in responses.
  2. AI language models like ChatGPT and Google are widely used and offer mundane utility, despite some limitations.
  3. AI advancements raise concerns about deepfakes, fake IDs, and a need for regulations to address security risks.

Toxic Empathy

Polymathic Being • 119 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Empathy is important for connecting with others, but too much of it can actually overwhelm us and create fear instead of love.
  2. When empathy is unregulated, it can be used against us, causing us to lose our identity and react out of fear rather than understanding.
  3. Finding a balance in empathy involves being mindful, taking responsibility for our feelings, and not letting ourselves be controlled by the emotions of others.

The Right Side of History

Breaking Smart • 150 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Understanding history is complex and doesn't always have clear 'right' or 'wrong' sides. Sometimes we need to accept uncertainty and be okay with being wrong.
  2. Having opinions or beliefs is fine, but trying to find a single 'right side' can lead to confusion and extremism. It's important to be open to different perspectives.
  3. Engaging seriously with serious issues is necessary, but it's also important to embrace humor and unseriousness to keep a balanced view of life.

Ten Categories of Undying Beings

The Future of Life • 19 implied HN points • 13 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. There are ten interesting ways to think about immortality. Each category represents a different aspect of how one might achieve or understand being undying.
  2. Categories like 'Biological Stasis' and 'Regenerative Longevity' suggest methods related to physical health and recovery.
  3. More abstract ideas like 'Conceptual Persistence' and 'Ontological Necessity' explore deeper philosophical notions about existence and being.

What's Wrong with Moderation?

Humanities in Revolt • 239 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics
  1. Social progress often comes from principled conviction rather than compromising between extremes.
  2. Historical movements for justice and social transformation have often required radicalism, advocacy, and personal sacrifice, rather than moderation.
  3. Feminist foremothers teach us that true social change necessitates dissent, defiance of norms, and enduring discomfort to combat oppression and injustice.