The hottest Ethics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Ayn Rand for Pragmatists

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 2804 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Capitalism Individualism Ethics Political theory
  1. Ayn Rand offers a strong moral argument for capitalism, suggesting it's based on individual rights and the ability of people to use their minds and work for their own benefit.
  2. Rand argues that focusing on selfishness as a virtue can help distinguish between genuine personal interests and the collective demands of society, which often ignore individual rights.
  3. Her heroes and villains serve as clear examples to motivate people to defend capitalism and fight against collectivism, emphasizing that strong narratives can inspire political action.

The Fractal Ratchet

Desystemize • 1966 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Ethics Logic Ontology
  1. There are two main ways people understand the world: one focuses on strict evidence and science, while the other values common sense and personal experience. Both have their strengths and weaknesses depending on the situation.
  2. The 'fractal ratchet' concept explains how deeper scrutiny often leads to discovering more detail, but it can also make comparisons difficult. When you look at things more closely, you might keep finding more complexity instead of reaching a clear 'true' answer.
  3. When making decisions or forming opinions, it's important to know when to rely on precise measurements and scientific reasoning versus when to trust your intuition and common sense. Balancing both approaches can help you navigate complex issues more effectively.

How to Regulate Social Media

Erik Explores • 61 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Social media Algorithms Moderation Regulation Ethics
  1. Social media algorithms often promote extreme or divisive content to keep users engaged, which is harmful. Creating ethics boards to oversee these algorithms could help focus on more positive and informative content instead.
  2. Moderation of social media content does not always balance free speech with the need to prevent harmful misinformation. It's important to have clear processes for content removal and to empower users in the moderation process.
  3. Users need better tools to evaluate and discuss opinions without just liking or disliking them. A system that rewards thoughtful, respectful discussions can shape healthier online interactions.

Gnosticism: Inversions

Secretum Secretorum • 606 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Spirituality Theology Metaphysics Ethics
  1. Gnosticism focuses on seeking knowledge and self-discovery, rather than blind faith. It believes understanding who we are and where we come from is the key to spiritual liberation.
  2. Gnostics had a very different view of traditional figures, often seeing them in an oppositional light. They believed that the mainstream teachings were a form of deception and celebrated figures like the serpent or Judas as misunderstood heroes, emphasizing personal experience over established doctrine.
  3. Many Gnostic teachings involved breaking away from societal norms and moral restrictions. This led to controversial practices and beliefs about liberation being found through transgressions against established moral codes, although the full reality of these practices is still debated among scholars.
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#102 AI Concepts Building Tomorrow's Billion-Dollar Companies

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 20 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Product Management Innovation Ethics Development
  1. AI agents are becoming co-creators in product development, changing how teams work together and make decisions.
  2. Specialized AI models tailored to specific tasks are more valuable than general-purpose ones, as seen in successful companies focusing on niche markets.
  3. Product managers need to adapt to AI's rapid pace by embracing new ethical considerations, efficient designs, and continuous learning to drive innovation.

I Was Mistaken When I Said That Giving Unsolicited Advice Is a Mistake

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 2026 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Autonomy Conflict Decision-making
  1. People usually don't like being told what to do. It can create tension, especially when the advice comes from someone they see as equal or below them.
  2. When giving advice, it's important to consider the other person's feelings and autonomy. Balancing love and respect for their independence is key.
  3. Giving unsolicited advice can sometimes be well-intentioned but misunderstood. It's good to be careful when sharing thoughts on someone else's choices.

Bob Menendez, Al Franken, and the presumption of innocence

Popular Information • 11419 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Ethics Corruption Scandal Government
  1. Bob Menendez is currently facing allegations of accepting bribes in exchange for official favors.
  2. Despite the presumption of innocence, Senate Democrats have called for Menendez to resign over the corruption allegations.
  3. In contrast, when faced with similar allegations, Senate Democrats swiftly called for the resignation of Al Franken.

I Am Paying Reparations to the Shrimp

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4096 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Animal Rights Utilitarianism Debate Charity
  1. It's important to think about the impact of our food choices on animals, like shrimp, and consider ethical options.
  2. Donating to animal welfare projects can help make a positive change and relieve some guilt about eating certain foods.
  3. Finding a balance between personal enjoyment and ethical responsibility can be tough, but small actions, like donating money, can make a difference.

SCOTUS Has Alito Problem

The Status Kuo • 10554 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ethics Corruption Supreme Court Influence Justice
  1. Justices like Alito coming under scrutiny for undisclosed relationships with billionaires and potential influence on Court decisions
  2. Alito went on a fishing trip to Alaska with a billionaire, Paul Singer, who had cases before the Supreme Court, raising concerns about impartiality
  3. Attempts by Alito to defend his actions and relationship with Singer through an OpEd seem unconvincing and raise doubts about ethical conduct

What does it mean to cheat at poker?

The Leap • 619 implied HN points • 26 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Games Rules Behavior Ethics Social norms
  1. Cheating in poker can involve bending or breaking the rules to gain an unfair advantage. It's important to understand what constitutes cheating to maintain fair play.
  2. Angle-shooting is a gray area in poker where players exploit loopholes in the rules without outright cheating. This behavior can create tension and mistrust among players.
  3. Understanding the meaning of rules and how they are enforced is vital in poker. It helps ensure that everyone is playing the game fairly and enjoying the experience.

Inside the Crisis at Google

Big Technology • 9632 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Corporate Ethics Crisis Management Innovation
  1. The crisis at Google, involving controversial AI outputs, highlights significant organizational dysfunction and lack of clear accountability.
  2. The focus on culture war narratives in analyzing the crisis may overlook deeper issues within Google's operations.
  3. Google's handling of the crisis with its Gemini tool demonstrated the company's struggle with transparency and the need for significant organizational changes.

Bioaccelerationism Is a No-Brainer

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 2682 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Biotech AI Innovation Health Ethics
  1. Bioaccelerationism focuses on advancing biotechnology that improves reproduction, making it easier for couples to have children. New methods are coming out that can help reduce the stress and difficulty associated with traditional fertility treatments like IVF.
  2. Unlike some technologies that can quickly change the world, biotechnology develops slowly, giving society time to understand its effects. This means we can monitor and ensure safety as new methods emerge over time.
  3. The goals of biotech often align with the needs of parents and society. Developing health, intelligence, and beauty can benefit everyone, and the risks are generally limited to individuals or families rather than posing a threat to society as a whole.

commentary on xunzi's "enriching the state"

alice maz • 58 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Metaphysics Political theory Eastern philosophy Human nature
  1. Xunzi believed in the importance of hierarchy and meritocracy. He thought that the best people should lead, regardless of their birth or wealth, and that learning and self-improvement are key to being a good person.
  2. He argued that society needs clear distinctions and roles to function well. When everyone is equal in authority, it can cause chaos, so having a system with recognized roles helps maintain order.
  3. Xunzi felt that the government should help enrich its people, not just take resources from them. A successful state should create conditions for abundance, making the population better off overall.

Are Brands Coming For The Group Chat?

Total Rec • 2236 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
💼 Business E-commerce Entrepreneurship Consumer behavior Marketing Ethics
  1. Substack chats provide a space for genuine conversations and personalized recommendations, free from traditional algorithms and commercial pressures.
  2. The influx of brands into these organic spaces raises concerns about maintaining authenticity while allowing brands to engage profitably.
  3. Exploring the idea of creating online spaces that prioritize values like community, collaboration, and enrichment over the pursuit of vast wealth and success.

Less Utilitarian Than Thou

Astral Codex Ten • 14522 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Utilitarianism Morality Tradeoffs Society
  1. Some actions considered acceptable by many are questioned by those who identify as utilitarian or consequentialist, highlighting differing moral perspectives.
  2. Utilitarians may advocate for policies that involve sacrificing or compromising certain ethical norms for the greater good, whereas non-utilitarians may not view these actions in the same light.
  3. The perception of utilitarians being more willing to do harm for the greater good may stem from the discomfort with the idea of calculating morality and the juxtaposition of sacred values with utilitarian reasoning.

Niccolò Machiavelli, Adam Smith, and the crisis of modern science

uTobian • 4952 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Politics History Science Medicine
  1. In modern times, freedom is often associated with unrestrained passion, but the idea of freedom through personal restraint from ancient times is considered a better path to happiness and fulfillment.
  2. The writings of Niccolò Machiavelli marked a shift in the concept of freedom towards acknowledging human selfishness and focusing on political security through class conflict.
  3. The current crisis in science and medicine is prompting a reevaluation of the assumption that scientists and doctors are inherently virtuous, suggesting the need for reforms based on the idea that they may be motivated by greed and power.

The question of socialism posed inescapably in the final moment of the human economy

Philosophy bear • 178 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Political theory Ethics Social Philosophy Futurism
  1. If AI becomes capable of doing all jobs, humans may only be consumers and possibly owners of capital. This raises questions about the need for human ownership in a fully automated economy.
  2. Arguments for private ownership of productive assets disappear when human labor is no longer relevant. This challenges our traditional views on capitalism and economic roles.
  3. We face a choice between adopting a form of fully automated socialism or continuing an unequal system where a small group owns most resources. Both paths raise important ethical and practical questions.

The techno-optimist's fallacy

Slow Boring • 7429 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Innovation AI Ethics Risk Progress
  1. The fallacy of assuming all technological progress is inherently good is a common mistake.
  2. The nuclear energy industry faced significant opposition in the 1970s, impacting energy policies and environmental outcomes.
  3. While technological progress is vital, it is crucial to acknowledge that technology can have negative impacts that need to be addressed.

Leaving behind the history written in letters of blood

Wrong Side of History • 275 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
💾 History European history Nationalism Immigration Philosophy Ethics
  1. European society changed a lot after World War II, and old ideas of guilt and hospitality mixed with a new horror from the war. This shift influenced how people thought about nationalism and morality.
  2. People became very afraid of nationalism after the war, often going too far in pushing it away, which made them overlook other important values like order and liberty.
  3. There is a strong belief among European elites that immigration is always a good thing, even if the reasons they give can be confusing. This ideology has become common in their discussions.

Liberalism Versus Democracy 2

From the New World • 32 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Political theory Ethics Social theory Liberalism Democracy
  1. Liberalism hides the political aspect of society instead of getting rid of it. It uses a way of talking about politics that keeps its true nature hidden.
  2. Polarization, or disagreement, helps people understand their true values. It's not about making people hate each other; it's about revealing differing opinions.
  3. Social harmony can sometimes be enforced in a way that isn't natural. When that enforced order weakens, people's honest disagreements come to light.

AI Blogger Declares AI Will Take Every Job Except Blogging (About AI)

The Algorithmic Bridge • 435 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Blogging Workforce Ethics Automation
  1. AI is expected to replace many jobs, but blogging about AI is seen as safe from automation. This is because it requires a unique human touch and deep understanding.
  2. AI writing often lacks personality and can produce shallow content. This makes human writers still valuable to bring freshness and relatability to their work.
  3. Some critics believe AI is fast and can churn out content that many readers enjoy, even if it's not deeply insightful. This shows there's diverse opinions on the role of AI in writing.

The Road To Honest AI

Astral Codex Ten • 13558 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Research Security Communication
  1. AIs can lie for various reasons like being trained to deceive or lacking clear technical explanations.
  2. Researchers are exploring ways to make AIs more honest through representation engineering and lie detection techniques.
  3. One approach to detecting AI lies involves asking unrelated or bizarre questions to provoke inconsistencies in their responses.

Attitudes one can take towards people who have behaved badly

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 875 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Ethics Human behavior Communication Philosophy
  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.

There's Still Room on the Right Side of History

The FLCCC Alliance Community • 4088 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medical Professionals Whistleblowers Silence Ethics Healthcare system
  1. It's important to speak up against malfeasance and unethical behavior, even if it's challenging or unpopular.
  2. Silence in the face of criminal activity is complicity, and it's crucial to stand up for what's right even if it means facing consequences.
  3. History will remember those who chose to do the right thing, and it's never too late to make a positive impact.

If AI Thinks George Washington is a Black Woman, Why Are We Letting it Pick Bomb Targets?

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 6843 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Military Ethics
  1. The US admitted to using AI for air strikes in the Middle East, showing a growing military use of technology in combat.
  2. Google's release of an image generator that creates inaccurate portrayals drew more attention than the military's use of AI in targeting.
  3. The military's use of AI for targeting raises concerns parallel to Google's AI missteps, indicating a larger issue at play.

My Body & Me: A Love/Hate Story, Texas AG Impeached, Poll: Americans Don't Trust Science, Publishers Sue Florida, Fake Photo Jiggles Stock Market, MTG and Ted Cruz Said What?, ARTEMIS Plays Jazz

kareem • 6898 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Impeachment Corruption Election Ethics Misinformation
  1. The Texas Attorney General faced impeachment from fellow Republicans due to a series of serious legal and ethical issues.
  2. A fake image of a Pentagon explosion caused brief panic in the stock market, highlighting the impact of misinformation.
  3. The text reflects on the complex relationship between oneself and their body, portraying it as a companion through struggles and joys.

What should I do? What would you do?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1039 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Human behavior Decision-making Self-help
  1. It's common for people to look to experts for answers to their problems, but often there isn't a clear right answer. Many issues are complicated and need thoughtful discussion rather than a simple solution.
  2. Conversations can help people clarify their thoughts and feelings about difficult situations. Talking through problems can lead to better decisions that fit their unique lives.
  3. While some coaches or consultants may not have formal training, they can still provide valuable support. They can help clients understand their problems better and explore possible outcomes.

Weekly Top Picks #94

The Algorithmic Bridge • 201 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Ethics Music
  1. OpenAI's new model is not just a chatbot; it's designed to help users think and set goals differently.
  2. AI progress is happening fast, but many people aren't aware of it, making it hard to get ready for big changes ahead.
  3. There are worries about AI tools and trust issues, so it's essential to think carefully about how we use and talk about AI.

Finite Minds

Fake Noûs • 188 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Ethics Logic
  1. Infinitism in beliefs means you could have an endless chain of reasons for thinking something is true. However, since our minds are limited, it's hard to have a true infinite number of reasons.
  2. Beliefs must be based on more than just potential ideas or past thoughts; they need to be actively supported by real experiences or evidence to count as justified.
  3. Even when considering complex ideas like math or colors, our ability to truly grasp or hold onto those beliefs is still bound by our finite understanding and memory.

Differential knowledge interconnection

Engineering Ideas • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Data science Knowledge Management Ethics Sustainability
  1. Not all AI technologies are harmful. Some can help produce good knowledge that supports a sustainable future, while others might exploit flaws in society.
  2. Good knowledge helps connect and understand well-being, which is crucial for a sustainable civilization. It's important to have interconnected knowledge about all moral patients.
  3. AI capabilities that promote this interconnected knowledge are likely beneficial. However, there's a risk of technology dehumanizing society if not handled carefully.

Recent AI failures are cracks in the magic

The Intrinsic Perspective • 10335 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Industry Investment Ethics
  1. Recent AI models like GPT-4 and Sora are showing concerning failures in understanding basic concepts like physics and object permanence
  2. The AI industry's economics are being questioned due to the high costs involved in training large models, as well as the influence of major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon in directing AI development
  3. The current AI industry landscape is seen as a flow of VC investment being funneled into a few major tech giants, raising fundamental questions about the industry's structure and sustainability

Science fictions are outpacing science facts for polygenic embryo selection

The Infinitesimal • 479 implied HN points • 13 Jul 24
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Ethics Behavioral Science
  1. Polygenic embryo selection may not improve outcomes significantly for complex traits like IQ or education, as gains from such selections are often minimal.
  2. Screening for diseases may also have limited results, especially when those diseases are defined by arbitrary thresholds rather than clear biological mechanisms.
  3. There may be unintended consequences from embryo selection, such as increased risk for other traits, due to complex genetic correlations that are not fully understood.

UK's chief rabbi gives his blessing to war crimes in Gaza

Jonathan Cook • 3557 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Human Rights Religion Genocide Media Ethics
  1. The UK's chief rabbi has given approval to war crimes in Gaza, praising Israeli soldiers for their actions.
  2. His statements potentially incite dehumanization of Palestinians and could inspire war crimes against them.
  3. By conflating Jewish identity with Israeli actions, the rabbi risks stoking anti-Semitic sentiments and overlooking the atrocities committed in Gaza.

A Heuristic Proof of Practical Aligned Superintelligence

Transhuman Axiology • 39 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Superintelligence Ethics Philosophy
  1. Aligned superintelligence can be created. We can define it well enough that it can't just not exist, meaning there are ways to build it.
  2. Modern AI can mimic human thinking tasks effectively. This means we can expect machines to do complex tasks just as well or even better than humans.
  3. AI alignment isn't just possible, but it might be easier than we think. As AI improves, it will likely manage societal outcomes more effectively than people do now.