The hottest Human nature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

What Makes Humans Special?

Meaning || Matter • 3 HN points • 04 Sep 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Human nature Cognitive Science Evolution Cultural Studies
  1. Humans are unique because we can reason and make moral choices, which sets us apart from animals. Unlike other creatures, we think about what is right and wrong and have the ability to act on those thoughts.
  2. Children develop important social skills like helping and empathy at a very young age. They naturally want to support others and understand emotions, showing they care about feelings even before they can talk.
  3. Humans create complex cultures that build trust and cooperation among large groups. This ability to share knowledge and norms allows us to work together, unlike most animals that mainly rely on small, familiar groups.
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Can open societies survive?

Hypertext • 59 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Liberalism Human nature Governance Diversity
  1. Liberal democracies have faced challenges in recent years due to the rise of ideologies hostile to the liberal order, resulting in increased doubt among defenders of liberal democracy
  2. In his final work, Gerald Gaus argued that open societies can address challenges through a liberal framework and highlighted the importance of public justification for moral justification in a diverse society
  3. Gaus proposed that open societies, despite facing complexity and governance issues, can succeed through bottom-up moral reasoning, local-level social contracts, and reliance on markets and democracy for collective self-governance

Humans have a nature

Disaffected Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 20 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Human nature Psychology Identity Socialization
  1. Humans have a natural temperament that includes differences between sexes. These differences aren't just socially made; they come from biology too.
  2. Early experiences shape who we are, but that doesn't erase our natural characteristics. Both biology and environment play a role in developing our personalities.
  3. Accepting differences in sex psychology can help us understand each other better. It's not about limiting roles but noticing patterns in how men and women generally behave.

Throwing People Out Windows in the Time of the Plague

Good Reason • 113 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Justice Human nature
  1. People often focus on harm caused by others rather than systemic issues, leading to skewed priorities in addressing problems like disease during historical events.
  2. Our instinct to protect social order and punish those who harm it is crucial for maintaining peace and preventing individuals from causing significant harm.
  3. While outrage at harm caused by people is important, it's also essential to pay attention to systemic issues and larger threats like disease, to prevent neglecting significant problems in society.

Creatures and Machines

New World Same Humans • 114 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Technology Human nature Ethics
  1. The next great division could be between those who want to live as creatures and those who want to live as machines.
  2. The ongoing technology revolution could lead to a conflict between those embracing human-machine fusion and those wanting to remain fully human.
  3. New stories, visions, and ways of coexisting are needed to navigate the differences in attitudes towards technology and human nature.

A Total and Complete Shutdown of... History

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Political Philosophy Human nature History Evolutionary Theory Cultural analysis
  1. Francis Fukuyama's 'The End of History' thesis discusses the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government.
  2. Fukuyama's concept of the 'Last Man' highlights the psychological quandary faced by individuals in advanced free-market democracies, emphasizing the need for societies to address human desires for recognition and meaning.
  3. Fukuyama argues that liberal democracies balance human impulses for freedom and equality, pointing out the importance of culture and economic development in shaping societies.

The United States Of You

Weekly Wisdom • 79 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Consciousness Philosophy Mysticism Teachings Human nature States
  1. States of consciousness include waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, each corresponding to different aspects of the self.
  2. Emotional states can be categorized based on valence and physiological arousal, affecting decision-making and interactions.
  3. Align your physiological, emotional, and motivational states for optimal performance and well-being.

Locke Versus the Apocalypse

From the New World • 5 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature Political theory Social contract Ethics Individualism
  1. AI shows us who we are by reflecting our behavior and ignoring parts we often overlook. This makes us think about our own nature and how we connect with others.
  2. There are two main views on human nature: one believes in communal consensus for the good of all, while the other supports individual interests leading to social good. Each side has different ideas about how society should work.
  3. The question of political consensus is complex and has been debated for a long time. Understanding these views can help us make sense of modern political disagreements.

What hope do we have?

Disaffected Newsletter • 279 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
📖 Philosophy Human nature Trust Issues Self-deception Cynicism
  1. People often cling to lies even when they know the truth. This can be seen in how they react to undeniable evidence.
  2. Everyone is capable of accepting falsehoods, not just 'bad' or 'stupid' people. It's a common human experience that can shape one's life negatively.
  3. Doubts about societal and governmental care can lead to feelings of disillusionment. Many people feel that policies may do more harm than good, and that true concern is often self-serving.

No Need For Profit

Black Lodges • 58 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Innovation
  1. The internet was originally intended for decentralized communication and information exchange, not profit.
  2. Questioning the belief that a profit-driven economic model guarantees progress and innovation.
  3. Greed is not a definitive trait of human nature, and alternative motivators for innovation exist beyond profit, such as public good and intrinsic motivation.

Relinquishing control

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 84 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Critical Thinking Ethics Values Leadership
  1. Relinquishing control can lead to blind compliance, which has historically resulted in significant atrocities.
  2. Human nature inclines people to seek charismatic leaders, but it's important to maintain personal identity and critical thinking.
  3. To resist manipulation, individuals should develop critical thinking skills, recognize psychological manipulation tactics, and build independence.

The Human Need for Frontiers

Ulysses • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Technology Exploration Struggle
  1. The human spirit thrives on challenges and the unknown, displaying a will to power for growth and overcoming obstacles.
  2. Historically, physical frontiers provided opportunities for exploration and growth, but technology has led to their shrinkage.
  3. While technology closes some physical frontiers, it opens up new frontiers in information, communication, and innovation, providing spaces for struggle and growth.

My Political Beliefs

America in Crisis • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Beliefs Human nature Moral Values
  1. Humans have a unique ability to accumulate cultural knowledge which sets them apart from animals evolving biologically for survival.
  2. Personal background and experience shape moral values, influencing views on contentious issues like abortion and societal responsibilities.
  3. Advocacy for stakeholder capitalism over shareholder primacy, driven by a belief in social responsibility and a preference for economic systems that benefit the common good.

Short Thoughts on Desire

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Language Ethics
  1. There is a human compulsion to organize and categorize information to make sense of the world.
  2. Rating everything one encounters is a common habit to communicate feelings in a quantified manner.
  3. The concept of 'love' has evolved over time, from acts of ostenstion to self-oriented positive feelings.

The Biology of Behavior and The Mystery of Subjective Experience: Review of Behave

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
🔬 Science Biology Behavior Human nature Determinism Ethics
  1. Robert Sapolsky's book 'Behave' delves into the biology behind human behavior and argues for determinism, suggesting that all human actions have causes rooted in the physical world.
  2. The hard determinist perspective challenges common ideas of merit and responsibility, particularly in the context of human behavior, raising questions about the implications for societal management of issues like criminal justice.
  3. Despite the constraints on human agency imposed by biology and other factors, it is beneficial to continue treating individuals as at least partially responsible for their choices to maintain the effectiveness of existing social and psychological mechanisms.

The Envy Box: Class-Status Obsession in Prestige TV

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Television Social Commentary Human nature Satire
  1. Television shows like The White Lotus and Succession focus on class and status hierarchies rather than masculine megalomania of the past
  2. Prestige TV provides a window into the minds of elites and the anxieties surrounding the relentless pursuit of status
  3. Viewers can interpret these shows as straightforward satire, a critique of elite culture, a form of self-satisfying entertainment, or an exploration of human nature

Freedom

Black Lodges • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Freedom Human nature Liberation Reality
  1. Freedom is important and requires a deeper understanding beyond what we are taught in the West.
  2. Question the indoctrination about capitalism and the free market that we have grown up with.
  3. Explore the historical context of freedom from the bourgeois revolutions to Marx's work on the subject.

toward a system of neo-xunism

alice maz • 65 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Political theory Human nature Ethics
  1. The Spring and Autumn period in Chinese history reflects a time of transition and decline of central power.
  2. Xunzi offers insights on power, governance, and human nature, advocating for self-cultivation and practical solutions in politics.
  3. Xunzi's philosophy combines elements of Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, emphasizing learning, ritual, meritocracy, and adaptability.

Chapter 17, pp.346-351 - Reading Club posting 62

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Self-Improvement Mind-Body Connection Control Practices Human nature
  1. Gurdjieff emphasizes the necessity of schools in working on oneself due to man's inability to keep watch on all aspects of himself without assistance.
  2. Man is described as the slave of his body, highlighting the importance of controlling muscular tension and the need for schools to help in this effort.
  3. Control over the body starts with acquiring control over muscular tension, beginning with the relaxation of facial muscles according to Gurdjieff's teachings.

You are not entitled to feel proud of your ancestors

Philosophy bear • 71 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Identity Ethics Beliefs Human nature
  1. You are not automatically entitled to feel proud of your ancestors without considering their actions and impact
  2. Defending ancestors without acknowledging their faults is a form of bad faith and identity politics
  3. It's more meaningful to face the world as yourself, recognizing the diverse range of experiences and personalities in your ancestry

Love Your Enemies

Based Meditations • 19 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Morality Conflict Nature Perspective
  1. Enemies are not just human-made, but also a fundamental force of nature due to competition for survival and resources.
  2. Embracing and understanding enemies can lead to personal growth and motivation, culminating in greatness.
  3. Conflict and competition, even with enemies, can lead to creativity, abundance, and mutualistic relationships, showcasing the importance of both love and hate in life.

into the void

alice maz • 41 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Science fiction Society Fantasy Worldbuilding Human nature
  1. The future depicted in sci-fi can range from harsh and plausible like 'Void Star' to sophisticated and refined like 'A Memory Called Empire'.
  2. Technology influences society by changing constraints and rewriting rules - it's not always good, but it matters.
  3. Fiction, like 'To the Stars', offers a fantasy world where incredible feats are possible through suffering and teamwork, depicting an ideal that reality often falls short of.