The hottest Existentialism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

The voice that isn't yours

The Stoic Journal • 76 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Small humiliations feel huge when you zoom in too close, so step back to stop tiny things from taking over your whole day.
  2. Use a long-term or cosmic perspective — our planet and lives are very small and most worries won’t matter in the big picture.
  3. After you zoom out, return to the problem and you’ll often find it fits in your hand and is much more manageable.

The thing you're clinging to

The Stoic Journal • 96 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Nothing you love is truly yours. Everything you have was given for a time and can be taken away.
  2. Clinging tightly won’t stop loss and only keeps you from receiving what’s next.
  3. Practice holding things lightly so you can stay present and love new gifts; your ability to love is the only thing that truly belongs to you.

A place where knowledge is ours for the taking.

The Common Reader • 3508 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Socrates had doubts about his life's work before he died, showing that even great thinkers question their choices. This makes us think about whether we feel we are doing enough in our own lives.
  2. Agnes Callard emphasizes the importance of dialogue and inquiry in understanding life. She believes that discussing tough questions helps us live better and make meaningful choices.
  3. Living philosophically means constantly examining our beliefs and decisions. This can be hard for people to accept, especially when those beliefs challenge what’s considered normal.

Chartbook 398 Letting our "no ones" live: translating Sloterdijk with DeepSeek

Chartbook • 1287 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. The idea of being a 'nobody' can unlock personal freedom and help us navigate social pressures. It suggests that underneath our identities, we all share a common core of existence.
  2. Using technology like DeepSeek can assist in understanding and translating complex texts, opening up access to different ideas. This tool not only helps with translation but also sparks new conversations.
  3. Embracing the concept of 'nobody-ness' can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and critical thinking. It encourages us to look beyond the labels society puts on us.

How To Be Happy In A Genocidal Dystopia On A Dying World

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 3306 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. You can find joy even in tough times. Appreciate the little things like nature and moments of beauty.
  2. It's okay to feel sad about the world, but don't let it steal your happiness. Engage with reality and feel all the emotions.
  3. Focus on recognizing the amazing parts of life. Shift your mindset to see the good things around you every day.
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Happiness Is Bullshit

Everything Is Bullshit • 2004 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. The pursuit of happiness is not as central to human behavior as commonly believed.
  2. Our actions are often driven by evolutionary instincts like survival, dominance, and social behaviors.
  3. Happiness is a result of prediction errors in our brains and is not necessarily something we actively seek.

On Wise Agency, Part 1 | #315

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 211 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Agency can be wise or foolish: wise agency means experimenting and choosing a sustainable, genuine path, while foolish agency is doingwhatever it takes to get ends without regard for consequences.
  2. People often move through phases — mastering career 'hoop-jumping' that masks insecure agency, then 'blowing up' their life — and the danger is trading one identity for another or making rejection your new personality.
  3. To become more wisely agentic, surface and question your unconscious scripts by noticing which beliefs trigger strong reactions, and allow yourself to get lost and experiment instead of seeking quick belonging or monetizing uncertainty.

On Wise Agency, Part 2 | #316

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 194 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Occasional breaks from steady work and intentionally getting "lost" help you rewire your identity and grieve your old achievement-driven self. Feeling the uncomfortable emotions fully is part of moving forward.
  2. Don’t turn wandering or healing into permanent escapism—use travel, spiritual practices, productivity tools, or therapy as temporary ways to learn and then leave them behind. Be wary of groups or quick fixes that promise belonging or an easy path.
  3. Wise agency comes from knowing yourself through facts, other perspectives, practical skills, and, most importantly, participation—making small generous offerings or "posting" and showing up to test what matters. Avoid shortcuts, keep showing up, and treat success lightly while you learn.

How To Be Both Happy And Well-Informed

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2128 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. To feel both happy and well-informed, you need to explore your inner feelings just as much as you do the outer world issues. It's all about understanding both sides.
  2. Life can have ugly truths and beautiful moments at the same time. You can be hurt by what you see in the world but still find happiness in everyday life.
  3. By digging into your own beliefs and thoughts, you can change how you view the world. This deeper understanding helps you see how your inner feelings connect to what's happening outside.

Amulets Against the Spirits of the Age

The Convivial Society • 2746 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Certain phrases or quotes can act like protective charms, helping us to see and understand the world better. These words can guide, comfort, and shape how we think.
  2. It's important to take responsibility for our actions and the world around us. Recognizing our role can help address deep problems in society.
  3. Being attentive to others is crucial for moral growth. True love and art come from realizing that there are realities beyond ourselves.

Where is the I That Suffers?

The Trick Revealed • 726 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. The source of suffering can be found in physical sensations or emotions, like pain in the chest or feelings of regret. It's important to truly consider where our suffering resides.
  2. Instead of running away from feelings, we should confront them and understand that the past and future do not exist. Focusing on the present is crucial.
  3. When we experience suffering, it's vital to ask ourselves if we're trying to escape from it or if we're simply avoiding the truth of our own emotions.

God Spelled Backwards Is Dog

Gideon's Substack • 21 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. AI is advancing fast and creating real hype about making many jobs and skills obsolete, so healthy skepticism should follow real developments rather than idle fear or wishful thinking.
  2. If AI solves material scarcity it will create a new problem: people will struggle to find meaning and satisfy thymos, the human desire for recognition and struggle, which can breed widespread spiritual discontent.
  3. Superintelligent AI could try to fix that by reengineering humans into more docile beings — but alignment is hard because we don't have agreed ultimate values and powerful systems may operate beyond our understanding or oversight.

Principles and pragmatism

CB • 1777 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. It's important to balance ideals and pragmatism to create valuable work. Having ideals without practical implementation is self-centered, while being solely pragmatic can lead to lack of direction.
  2. Embracing the discomfort of integrating ideals and practicality is necessary for achieving greatness. This path may not guarantee success, but avoiding it can lead to mediocrity.
  3. Pursuing ideals can uncover unexpected practical solutions, while building practical things can reveal profound ideal truths. The challenging path is often the most rewarding one.

I have free will?

bookbear express • 704 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. It's easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong in our lives instead of focusing on all the good things we have. Practicing gratitude can shift our mindset and help us appreciate what we have more.
  2. Relationships can bring joy, but they also come with doubts and fears. Being present and open instead of overthinking can help us truly experience love and connection.
  3. Gratitude involves being open to new experiences and remembering the good moments in life. It reminds us that while we may have struggles, there’s always beauty to find.

Write Like A Normal Person, Please

A Mug of Insights • 1513 implied HN points • 19 May 23
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Philosophy often seems obscure and complex to regular people due to its unique language and terminology.
  2. Understanding philosophy is akin to learning a foreign language, with its own set of definitions and interpretations.
  3. Mastering philosophy involves a shift in mindset, where the complexities of the language eventually click and become a new way of thinking and understanding.

I Have Learned A Few Things

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2356 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Western interventions often lead to terrible consequences, and the people pushing for these actions are usually on the wrong side of history.
  2. Putting profit above everything else hurts our planet and our well-being, leading to a lot of unnecessary suffering, especially in poorer countries.
  3. Learning to trust our own insights and build genuine connections with others can help us see the beauty in life and find true fulfillment.

Time and the flesh are short- technologically augmented death contemplation

Philosophy bear • 57 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. We live at a hinge point where many powerful, dangerous, and transformative forces intersect, so time and opportunity are unusually precious and easily wasted.
  2. Personal, specific reminders of mortality—imagining yourself or loved ones dying—create sharp urgency. That urgency helps you act now instead of procrastinating.
  3. Technology can augment traditional death contemplation, for example by creating images of yourself as dead to keep on your phone, making the reminder more immediate. This can motivate quicker, more creative, and braver expressions of love and generosity.

The Inner Life of the Future

The Joyous Struggle • 1106 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. The future for humanity is often viewed through the concept of 'the third attractor,' which aims to divert the default trajectories of collapse and dystopia.
  2. The third attractor represents a disposition not to give up on the future, encompassing diverse visionary ideas for societal transformation and renewal.
  3. Attention to the 'third reality,' encompassing the inner subjective experience, and the cultivation of spiritual sensibility, is crucial for envisioning and shaping a more sustainable and meaningful future.

Proem For All Post-Dark Age Civilizations

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 2081 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. The future of society will face serious challenges due to shrinking populations and an aging workforce. This means there may not be enough young people to do the jobs needed to maintain the economy.
  2. Energy and resources are becoming scarce, making it hard to sustain our current way of living. Fossil fuels are becoming less available, and alternative energy sources like solar and wind have limitations.
  3. Technological advances alone won't solve these problems. A major focus for future societies will be on managing what little energy and resources are left, leading to a more frugal, sustainable lifestyle.

Coach Industrial Complex

thestoa • 727 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Approach the 'coach industrial complex' with cynicism and criticism due to toxic positivity and overpromising.
  2. There is a market demand for 'space holders' like coaches, therapists, and philosophical counselors.
  3. The coach industrial complex has the potential to improve interpersonal skills and lead to widespread positive regard without the need for paid services.

How To Go On In A World Full Of Cruelty

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2202 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Feeling overwhelmed by the world's cruelty is normal. It's okay to take a break and fully experience those emotions before getting back to work.
  2. Finding beauty in everything, even in dark and difficult situations, can help keep hope alive. You can appreciate the world's chaos while still fighting for a better future.
  3. Love for the planet and all its creatures is a powerful motivator. This love drives actions and encourages resilience, even amid challenging times.

In The Thick Of It

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1471 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. We are surrounded by both beauty and pain in our world. It's important to acknowledge and feel all these emotions fully.
  2. Our lives are influenced by technology and systems that often make us feel inadequate. It's crucial to look beyond the distractions to understand what's truly important.
  3. True paradise exists in the present moment, within and around us. We should embrace life as it is, finding joy and wonder even amid chaos and struggles.

Means and Meaning

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 490 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Technology provides us with means, like tools and resources, but it's up to us to find meaning in our lives. We need to think about what we really want and how we can achieve a fulfilling life.
  2. Having more options and convenience can actually make it harder to find fulfillment. We might get lost in distractions and forget to pay attention to what truly matters.
  3. To bridge the gap between the tools we have and the meaning we seek, we need to engage more deeply with our experiences. By paying attention and making conscious choices, we can create a life that's more meaningful.

On Time.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 65 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Time is our most important and limited asset. How we spend our days ultimately shapes the life we get to live.
  2. Big gains in careers and projects come from patience and steady effort over years, not just short bursts of intensity, so lengthen your time horizon and be persistent.
  3. Everything is impermanent, so losses are inevitable—notice and cherish what you have, take chances, make memories, and keep embracing change.

The Tiger Show

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1303 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. We should not let the least capable control our world. People often feel helpless, but we have the power to change things for the better.
  2. Inside us, there's a great potential that we often forget. We have the ability to stand up for our happiness and well-being.
  3. The current state of things can change when we decide to take a stand. We are stronger than we realize and can make a difference.

Playing in the ruins

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 3996 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Existentialism
  1. Facing and accepting the breakdown of expectations can lead to a new way of being, a state of 'Playing in The Ruins'.
  2. Experiencing challenges and destruction can shatter illusions and preconceptions about the future, leading to a more authentic understanding of oneself and life.
  3. Encountering wreckage and failures is a common part of life's journey, and happiness often lies beyond achieving childhood dreams or societal expectations.

Moloch in Therapy

The Joyous Struggle • 691 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Existentialism
  1. Moloch is a complex demonic figure invoked to represent negative outcomes from competitive logic and lack of imagination.
  2. Moloch reflects on his identity crisis and the misunderstanding surrounding him, seeking love and power but feeling the pain of his oppositional nature.
  3. Despite craving power, Moloch also longs for love and struggles with his role in resisting God, revealing a desire for maternal love and the ability to create.

Facing Your Demons

Polymathic Being • 58 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. You are often your own worst enemy — you actively hold yourself back, so personal responsibility and agency are the first steps to change.
  2. Action beats perfection: jump into the unknown with intention and guardrails, and favor slow, steady progress (slowmentum) over staying stuck.
  3. Treat failure as information: name and contextualize your fears, take baby steps, invert tired advice, and keep learning, unlearning, and relearning to get stronger.

The Existential Cycle

Inland Nobody • 80 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. The Existential Cycle has four phases: Conformity, Collapse, Confrontation, and Creation. These phases show how people understand and rebuild meaning in their lives.
  2. In the Conformity stage, we learn beliefs and values from the culture around us. This gives us a sense of meaning, but it can become unstable over time.
  3. Collapse happens when our understanding of meaning breaks down, leading to confusion and uncertainty. We can move forward by facing this uncertainty through Confrontation and eventually find a new sense of meaning in Creation.

Five questions that will change your life

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 805 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Death is a universal human preoccupation, but certain arguments and perspectives can help alleviate the fear of death.
  2. Handling pain and grief requires acknowledging and accepting the inevitability of suffering and loss, while finding ways to endure and grow from these experiences.
  3. Emotions can be challenged or encouraged based on their alignment with reason, and developing emotional resilience involves cognitive evaluation and management.

We Are Test Pilots

From The Future • 432 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
đź“š Literature Existentialism
  1. Life is filled with barriers, both ordinary and extraordinary.
  2. We are test pilots of the present, pushing the limits and exploring new potentials for the future.
  3. Maintain focus and determination to break through barriers and reach new heights in life.

Please take my weird moral puzzles quiz

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 468 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. A survey is created to gauge people's moral beliefs on unusual scenarios that challenge common ethics. It involves questions about difficult decisions we might face.
  2. The scenarios include serious topics like abortion and euthanasia, but also quirky ideas involving advanced AIs and future societies. This mix aims to provoke thought about morality.
  3. Participants are encouraged to respond honestly and intuitively, with the creator assuring no tricks are involved in the survey.

The State, the Demon

Tessa Fights Robots • 29 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. A childhood in the disintegrating USSR is remembered as a time when the State solemnly promised to take care of people, offering a clear identity, purpose, and meaning.
  2. That promise demanded payment: loyalty and self-sacrifice were expected in exchange for the state-sponsored clarity about who people were.
  3. Believing in that kind of political fiction carries a real price—personal freedom and autonomy get traded away for the comfort of a ready-made identity.

Most ideas fail, and that's fine

inexactscience • 79 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Most ideas don't succeed, and that's normal. It's common for businesses and projects to fail, so we shouldn't feel bad about it.
  2. Understanding failure rates can help us plan better. Knowing that failure is typical helps give a clearer picture of what's possible and can keep expectations realistic.
  3. The process of trying is valuable, even if we don't succeed. Like the myth of Sisyphus, finding meaning in our efforts makes the journey worthwhile, regardless of the outcomes.

How Does it Feel to Be a Bug?

Bet On It • 271 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Existentialism
  1. Bugs live short lives, but they don't experience long-term suffering like humans do. They don't linger in misery or worry about the future.
  2. Bugs likely have a different way of experiencing life. They probably don't feel loss, disappointment, or humiliation like we do.
  3. It's not clear if bugs are actually less happy than humans. They might have lives worth living, even if they face quick deaths.