The hottest Existence Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

Are we so good to simulate?

world spirit sock stack • 1 implied HN point • 04 Mar 24
🔬 Science Simulation Existence Technology Computing Resources
  1. The Simulation Argument suggests that if technologically advanced civilizations are likely to create 'ancestor simulations,' then it's probable we are currently living in one.
  2. A counterargument questions the high cost and resources needed to run simulations of confused minds, suggesting that the majority of minds in a location are likely correct about their reality.
  3. The idea that simulating history is extremely cheap challenges the assumption that all possibilities will be pursued given finite resources and many potential simulations.
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The Gravity of Immortality: Exploring the Human Drive for Power and Transcendence

Based Meditations • 0 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Power Transcendence Mortality Consciousness Existence
  1. Humans are driven by the fear of death and the desire for power and control, seeking to conquer mortality and transcend their limits.
  2. Consciousness drives humans to envision a future beyond their current state, leading to technological advancements and societal contributions.
  3. In the grand scheme of influence and power dynamics, humans seem to follow a natural order of gravitational forces, seeking immortality through contributions to society and future generations.

On multitudes

SP-AND-EX • 0 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Identity Reality Imagination Existence
  1. Questioning invokes multitudes - it leads to exploring multiple perspectives and assumptions.
  2. Imagination invokes multitudes - it brings forth new concepts and ideas.
  3. The concept of containing multitudes applies not only to individuals but also to external objects and experiences, showcasing complexity and depth.

Complex Systems and You

The Unabashed Observer • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Knowledge Perception Society Existence
  1. Complex systems are beyond individual understanding, and simplification is necessary for comprehension in various disciplines.
  2. Human perception is limited by biology, leading to incomplete understanding of the world around us.
  3. Specialization in society leads to interdependence and the need for trust and humility in leveraging diverse skills for progress.

Fragments, Chapter 4, pp.77-81 Reading Club posting 15

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Cosmology Spirituality Existence
  1. Every phenomenon results from the meeting of three opposing forces: active, passive, and neutralizing - the Law of Three.
  2. Understanding the Law of Three helps in self-reflection and grasping the dynamics of change and growth in individuals and groups.
  3. The 'ray of creation' concept explains the formation of worlds and a hierarchy of forces, highlighting our place in the universe.

The Soft and Slippery Something - Slugs, Worms and Slipperiness (2)

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jun 22
📖 Philosophy Existence Nature Humanity
  1. The post discusses the concept of 'change of presence', confusion, animation, and illogical manifestations in relation to slugs and worms
  2. It mentions the tendency to laziness represented by the word 'sluggard' and its reflection in human nature
  3. The post is for paid subscribers, implying exclusive content for a specific audience

Bring Me My Arrows of Desire

Outlandish Claims • 0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existence Environmentalism Technology Civilization
  1. Humans have unintentionally caused devastating consequences on the Earth's atmosphere similar to past natural events, leading to the Anthropocene era.
  2. Interacting with the world mindfully can make it a better place by expanding the circle of empathy and caring, creating a 'noosphere' of mindful impact.
  3. Technology and moral development are seen as complementary tools to expand the 'noosphere' and shape a more humane world, striving for a future where suffering is minimized and diversity is embraced.

Godel and Chabad

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jul 21
📖 Philosophy Mathematics Religion Infinity Spirituality Existence
  1. Chabad believes that God is everywhere and always present. This idea emphasizes that God existed even before the universe began.
  2. Godel's proof suggests that any system can't truly understand itself from the inside. To gain insight, you have to look at a bigger system, but then you're still in the same situation.
  3. Math and religion share thoughts about infinity, but in math, it's a puzzle to solve, while in religion, it's essential for understanding existence. This might be the deeper connection explored in the book G.E.B.

The Apple of Sextus Empiricus

Strange Wonder • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Existence Perception Reality
  1. Sextus Empiricus questioned the true qualities of an apple, sparking centuries of philosophical debate.
  2. The observation of an object can be influenced by the unique perspectives of different senses.
  3. It took over two thousand years for scientists and philosophers to confidently answer Sextus Empiricus' seemingly strange question about apples.

Andy Clark Meets the Grasshopper

By Reason Alone • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Mind Existence Knowledge Ethics Reality
  1. Life could be considered a game with a goal of minimizing surprise, which is a simple and shared objective
  2. The belief-updating process in life might follow Bayesian principles, but this approach is debated among philosophers
  3. Dreams could serve the purpose of testing and challenging the brain's models of the world to minimize surprises and enhance adaptability