The hottest Human nature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

The Most Important Skill in the 21st Century

The Algorithmic Bridge • 668 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Boredom was never the problem, but not experiencing it is a challenge in the modern world.
  2. The most crucial skill in the 21st century is learning how to be bored and find tranquility in silence.
  3. Constant external stimulation has made us fear boredom, but embracing it can help us grow and stand out in a world of overwhelming entertainment.

The Final Reward

Daoist Methodologies • 176 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. A punishment should involve the removal of something previously granted by the sanctioning party.
  2. Leaders who establish power through generosity instead of fear face challenges in maintaining authority.
  3. The establishment of order sets the stage for future disorder, and disorder dictates the evolution of order.

Genetic Justice

Parrhesia • 799 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🔬 Science Human nature
  1. Polygenic scores can predict genetic traits but work better for populations they are 'trained' on.
  2. Social justice advocates stigmatizing genetic research may hinder opportunities for certain ethnic groups.
  3. Taboos around genetic research on traits like intelligence can limit the use of polygenic scores for reproductive decisions.

Inhuman Beneficence

marbl • 78 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Animals have remarkable abilities and understandings, despite not having human-like qualities.
  2. Human culture values bravery, but exceptions to the rule exist, such as animals displaying courage.
  3. There is an interconnectedness between human storytelling, myth, and the well-being of non-human life.

Building Utopia: Endurable version

Wood From Eden • 576 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Societies are constrained by laws of nature, specifically human nature and cultural evolution.
  2. Building a sustainable society requires considering factors like population expansion and high technology.
  3. A compromise between fertility and technology is essential for a society to thrive for generations to come.
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Can open societies survive?

Hypertext • 59 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  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

We didn’t master nature. We merely survived it.

storyvoyager • 5 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. We never really mastered nature — we learned ways to survive within its limits and rhythms.
  2. For tens of thousands of years people lived in tight dependence on seasonal ecosystems, using coordinated hunts, portable tools, and cultural skills to stay alive.
  3. Sudden environmental change can erase whole ecosystems and human ways of life, as melting ice and rising seas ended the mammoth tundra and the societies that relied on it.

Why I Am No Longer Woke

Skeptic • 203 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Human nature
  1. The idea of being 'woke' started as a way to be aware of social injustices, but it has now become a term used to criticize extreme leftist ideologies. People who once identified with the woke movement may feel disconnected from it due to its transformation into something else.
  2. A key issue with the woke movement is its belief that humans are a 'blank slate.' This means that it assumes all inequalities stem from social discrimination rather than differences in abilities or personal responsibility.
  3. Many moderate thinkers believe in a 'Realistic Vision' of human nature, which acknowledges that people vary in abilities and that social systems should take these differences into account rather than trying to enforce equal outcomes.

Humans have a nature

Disaffected Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 20 Jul 22
🎭️ Culture Human nature
  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.

Chris Hedges: The Nature of Good and Evil

The Chris Hedges Report • 150 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Everyone has the capacity for both good and evil within them. It's important to recognize this duality in ourselves and others.
  2. In tough times, we often see real kindness and humanity shine through. These moments remind us of the best parts of people.
  3. It's vital to critique power structures rather than fall into hatred for groups or individuals. Focusing on power allows for healthier discussions.

The machines will never be our overlords

storyvoyager • 6 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Intelligence is whatever helps people achieve their human goals, so it’s judged by how well it serves human purposes.
  2. Machines won’t become our overlords; power will still be exercised by other humans who use intelligence as a tool.
  3. In today’s society the main human aim is accumulating and preserving material wealth, followed by the desire to enjoy that wealth for as long as possible.

The Will to Order - Rise and Fall of the Neuralink Society

Who is Robert Malone • 15 implied HN points • 11 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. People naturally seek order to make sense of the chaotic world around them. This need for structure helps us feel secure but can also lead to negative consequences if taken too far.
  2. In societies with strict rules, such as Japan, people often experience high rates of depression and suicide. Too much order can suffocate creativity and individuality.
  3. Totalitarian systems, driven by an extreme need for order, can reduce people to machines. They strip away freedom and the essence of being human, leading to a soulless existence.

Dan Williams on Cooperation

In My Tribe • 318 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Human cooperation is rooted in reputation management within groups.
  2. Life within a group involves dynamics of competition, conflict, and exploitation, not just friendship.
  3. Achieving cooperation and peace requires complex systems of norms and incentives, not just relying on innate friendliness.

A Total and Complete Shutdown of... History

Holodoxa • 119 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  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 Human nature
  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.

The Limitations of Freedom

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 520 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Liberalism introduced a new notion of freedom focused on individual interests.
  2. The modern view of freedom implies abdicating all responsibilities and obligations.
  3. The harm principle in liberalism has evolved to regulate various aspects of life in the name of freedom.

What hope do we have?

Disaffected Newsletter • 279 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  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.

The New Hereditarian Man

From the New World • 237 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. The New Soviet Man concept was imaginary, as evident from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
  2. Egalitarian sentiment persists despite evidence of biological differences, leading to challenges in discussing individual disparities.
  3. Institutions like rule of law and free markets can serve as solutions to counteract egalitarian pathologies and promote rational behavior.

No Need For Profit

Black Lodges • 58 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  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.

The Wisdom of Silenus

aproposofnothing • 58 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Life is considered bad by Silenus, who suggests it's better to not be born or to die quickly.
  2. Ancient Greeks were brutally honest and embraced cruelty as a part of their culture.
  3. Accepting the bleak outlook of Silenus can lead to a life of daring, adventure, and achievement.

The Jellyfish Tribe

The Abbey of Misrule • 411 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Growing skepticism towards authority figures is becoming more common.
  2. Many people are losing faith in institutions and leaders in the Western world.
  3. Events like the Iraq war, the 2008 financial crisis, Brexit, Trump's presidency, and COVID-19 have contributed to a decline in trust in traditional systems.

commentary on xunzi's "enriching the state"

alice maz • 58 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
📖 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.

If You See the World as a Dead Machine, Atrocities Make Sense

Default Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Seeing the world as just a machine can help explain why people commit horrible acts. It makes it easier to understand their actions.
  2. This view of the world can lead to a sense of detachment from others and their suffering. When you see people as parts of a machine, it's easier to ignore their pain.
  3. Recognizing the machine-like nature of the world can change how we think about society and morality. It raises questions about our responsibilities toward each other.

The Human Need for Frontiers

Ulysses • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  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 Human nature
  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
  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.

Solving Difficult Problems as a Filter

Bzogramming • 45 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Asking good questions is key to solving problems. Starting with simple, unrelated questions helps narrow down possibilities and find better answers.
  2. Simplicity is usually better, but complexity can sneak in. Adding constraints to a problem can reduce options quickly, so it's important to manage them wisely.
  3. Being too picky when looking for solutions or people can backfire. Sometimes it’s better to adapt and make things work with what's available, instead of searching for the perfect fit.

Notes on Succession

The Ruffian • 227 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Human nature
  1. Succession was good at knowing what to leave out, creating intrigue.
  2. The characters in Succession do not have arcs but loops, moving in circles.
  3. Succession cultivates moral intelligence by portraying amoral characters in a compelling way.

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

Holodoxa • 79 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
🔬 Science Human nature
  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 Human nature
  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 Human nature
  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.

What it means to be human

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. Humans often assume that animals understand their intentions, but animals react instinctively based on their own perspectives. It's important to remember that what feels friendly to us may be seen as a threat to them.
  2. Thinking in images instead of words can help us connect with our animal side. Animals primarily think in pictures, and accessing that part of our brain can calm us and improve our understanding of other creatures.
  3. Our bigger brains give humans advanced reasoning abilities, but it can also make it harder to relate to animals. Understanding our differences and similarities with other species helps us learn more about being human.

Throwing People Out Windows in the Time of the Plague

Good Reason • 113 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy 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.

Extraterrestrial Governance

Skeptic • 42 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Human nature
  1. As we start living on other planets, we need to figure out how to govern ourselves there. This means thinking about the best way to make decisions and keep everyone safe.
  2. Direct democracy sounds good for a small group, but as the population grows, we might need more rules and systems to handle conflicts. Balancing freedom and order will be a big challenge.
  3. We can learn from Earth's history and societies to create better systems on other planets. Sharing resources, cooperating, and having good leadership are crucial for survival and success.