The hottest Logic Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Philosophy Topics

The curvature of space

Infinitely More • 33 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Spherical geometry has positive curvature, which means circles on a sphere are smaller than expected compared to flat surfaces.
  2. In hyperbolic space, there are way more locations nearby than in regular space, making it easier to get lost or have many places to explore.
  3. Although spherical and hyperbolic geometries are quite different, they can seem similar to a person at a small scale, just like how our everyday experience seems like flat geometry.

Swinburne's Argument Against Suicide

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Swinburne's argument against suicide is based on the idea that if God exists, taking one's own life is ungrateful towards the gift of life given by God.
  2. Swinburne's argument falls short in the face of extreme suffering, where ending one's life may not be a violation of gratitude towards God, as seen in cases like severe pain or incurable genetic conditions.
  3. The premise that suicide is always wrong due to ingratitude to God is questionable, as destroying a harmful gift might be what a loving benefactor would want in certain extreme circumstances.

Infinitesimals revisited

Infinitely More • 38 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Infinitesimals were once thought to be nonsense in calculus but actually led to important mathematical breakthroughs. They help us understand changes in functions in a very effective way.
  2. Nonstandard analysis, introduced in the 1960s, provides a solid way to use infinitesimals rigorously through hyperreal numbers. This helps to connect the old and modern approaches in calculus.
  3. Different perspectives on nonstandard analysis can lead to various mathematical ideas and research directions, showing that there's not just one correct way to approach mathematical concepts.

Abused Words

David Friedman’s Substack • 260 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🚌 Education Logic
  1. Words like 'exponential' and 'organic' are commonly misused with meanings different from their actual definitions.
  2. Terms like 'guarantee' and 'literally' are often used incorrectly causing confusion in communication.
  3. Understanding technical terms like 'statistically significant' is crucial to avoid misinterpretation in discussions.
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Tactics versus strategies in the theory of games

Infinitely More • 25 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Tactics are focused, short-term moves in games, while strategies are broader plans that consider the entire game history. Think of tactics like specific plays in a game of chess compared to a strategy that shapes the whole match.
  2. In game theory, a tactic works with just the current state of play, while a strategy includes the whole journey to that point. This means tactics can be very specific to the moment, without knowing the past turns.
  3. Understanding whether a game has winning tactics or strategies helps players decide their best moves. It's important to know if there's a guaranteed win for one player or if both can only draw.

Elephant Riding

Polymathic Being • 104 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. We balance emotions and reason like an elephant and a rider. The elephant represents our feelings, which often drive our decisions more than we think.
  2. Relying only on logic can lead to problems. Emotions help us make decisions, and without them, we might struggle with even simple choices.
  3. To make better decisions, we should understand our emotions and how they influence us. This means taking time to think things through and checking if our feelings align with reality.

Two Master Fallacies

Fake Noûs • 306 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
🚌 Education Logic
  1. Assumption is a common error where people quickly believe something with little evidence.
  2. Dogmatism is the resistance to changing beliefs, even in the face of evidence.
  3. To avoid assumption, consider alternatives, objections, empirical tests, and listen to different perspectives. To combat dogmatism, question your beliefs and avoid dogmatic techniques like ignoring contrary evidence and appealing only to your belief system.

The Fallacy of Non-Violence

Black Lodges • 58 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. The importance of addressing violent oppression and seeking freedom from it
  2. Questioning the effectiveness of non-violence as a response to oppressive realities
  3. The need for logical consequences and strategies in facing violent dictatorships

Introduction to Rationality and Risk

Extropic Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Rationality is about challenging beliefs and rooting out those that fail to withstand challenge.
  2. Rationalism means basing life on reason, evidence, and logic, rather than emotions or religious beliefs.
  3. Explicitly committing to reason and continually striving to be rational is crucial for both humanism and transhumanism.

10 Vicious Cycles

This Week's Top Ten • 58 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Are you stuck in a loop of cause and effect being the same?
  2. Consider if your actions are a result of your beliefs or vice versa.
  3. Reflect on whether situations result from external factors or internal choices.

Possibility is impossible

Mulled Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🔬 Science Logic
  1. Physics and mathematics are part of the structure of reality
  2. Logic and possibility are intertwined in how we understand the world
  3. Survival and belief systems influence how we perceive truth and reality

The only path to transmit knowledge

Mon0’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. STEM fields believe knowledge should follow a clear path: define terms, state propositions, and verify them. It's all about structure and clarity.
  2. Philosophers often use complicated language, which can make their ideas hard to understand. This creates a gap between STEM and humanities, where definitions aren't always clear.
  3. Some writers may choose to be vague or complex to engage readers or seem profound. However, this can confuse people instead of helping them learn.

Ask Bear anything

Philosophy bear • 64 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Subscribers can ask questions while everyone can read the answers. This makes it more inclusive and fair.
  2. There are two ways to get answers: one from the author and another one from Bear. You just need to mention which one you prefer.
  3. The system is based on honor, meaning the author trusts those asking questions without subscriptions are doing so because they can't afford it.

Moving the goal posts

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 29 May 23
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. People often change the rules of a debate when they don't like the outcome. This is called 'moving the goalposts' and it can be tricky.
  2. Arguments about concepts like 'understanding' or 'identity' can become confusing if everyone doesn't agree on what those terms mean.
  3. Instead of arguing over vague definitions, it's better to focus on how we use those terms in real situations and have clear discussions when definitions are necessary.

When Your Map Doesn't Match Reality

Good Reason • 227 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Regardless of how well you know a situation, remember your knowledge is just a map and not reality itself.
  2. Be cautious of projecting your biases onto situations to force them to fit your preconceived notions.
  3. Acknowledging and being aware of your own potential biases can help prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Random chess position

Infinitely More • 23 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🔬 Science Logic
  1. Most random arrangements of chess pieces are not legal moves in a game. It's rare for pieces to be placed in a way that follows the rules of chess.
  2. When you randomly scatter 32 chess pieces on a board, there are many more illegal positions than legal ones. This shows how strict the game rules are.
  3. Understanding chess positions can help improve strategic thinking. It’s interesting to see how players use the rules to create valid game scenarios.

Infinite Sudoku

Infinitely More • 23 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🚌 Education Logic
  1. Sudoku is typically a solo puzzle where you fill a 9x9 grid with numbers, ensuring that each number appears only once in each row, column, and 3x3 box.
  2. There's a fun two-player version called the Sudoku game where players take turns placing numbers on an empty board, trying to outsmart each other without breaking the Sudoku rules.
  3. The Sudoku game can be played on larger or different shaped boards, and there are even ideas for playing infinite versions of the game on larger grids.

Dishonest Words

David Friedman’s Substack • 170 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Labeling someone as 'homophobic' for having negative views of homosexuality can falsely imply a single cause for their opinion and stigmatize them without considering other reasons.
  2. Using terms like 'racism' and 'denier' to label those with differing views can be a dishonest tactic to imply that their opinions are unreasonable without proper argumentation.
  3. Words like 'thermal pollution' and 'CO2 emission as pollution' can carry hidden value judgments, implying negativity without explicitly stating the values being used.

Abstraction in the function concept

Infinitely More • 25 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. The function concept in mathematics has evolved a lot, allowing for more abstract definitions. This means mathematicians can explore complex ideas that go beyond simple rules and formulas.
  2. Examples like the Devil's staircase and space-filling curves challenge our understanding of functions. These unique functions have properties that seem strange and unexpected compared to our usual ideas of what a function should be.
  3. The Conway function shows how every real number can be linked to another number in a complex way. It helps to illustrate that functions don't always need a clear formula and can still be valid in mathematics.

[Solution]Problem 70: Pow(x,n) [Amazon]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 23 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Logic
  1. The post discusses a solution to Problem 70, which involves calculating a number raised to a power using math, logic, optimization, and recursion.
  2. The problem statement requires implementing a function that calculates x raised to the power n, with specific input-output examples provided.
  3. Constraints for the problem include specific ranges for x and n, highlighting the importance of handling edge cases in the solution.

Identifying bottlenecks in networks

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 48 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🔬 Science Logic
  1. Bottlenecks in networks are crucial points that can slow down communication or movement. Identifying these points helps understand how the entire network functions.
  2. Networks can be made up of different regions that are linked by these bottlenecks. Recognizing connections between these regions is important for overall analysis.
  3. Knowing where the bottlenecks are can help improve the efficiency of networks, whether in transportation or social connections. This can lead to better planning and resource allocation.

[Solution]Problem 56:Climbing Stairs[Amazon]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 16 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Logic
  1. The post discusses a solution for the climbing stairs problem with dynamic programming, logic, recursion, and math.
  2. The problem involves finding the number of distinct ways to climb to the top of a staircase by either taking 1 or 2 steps at a time.
  3. The post provides examples and constraints for the problem, along with a link to test the solution on Leetcode.

What is a Belief (Part 2: Language, Truth, and Logic)

Ethics Under Construction • 15 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. A belief is when we say something is true about a thought. We give thoughts the property of being true based on our perspective.
  2. Language is a way to share our thoughts, but it doesn't always need to be logical. Even strange phrases can still communicate ideas.
  3. Truth is about how our beliefs relate to reality. We assign truth to our thoughts, but the world is already true without our beliefs influencing it.

Tiling the plane with congruent polygons

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 18 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🔬 Science Logic
  1. You can't cover a flat surface with regular pentagons because their angles don't fit together perfectly. The angle of a pentagon is 108°, and it's not a number that evenly divides into 360°.
  2. However, there are other shapes, like certain hexagons and quadrilaterals, that can tile the plane without any gaps. These shapes can fit together nicely to fill space.
  3. Tiling is a fun way to explore patterns and geometry, showing how shapes can interact in creative and mathematical ways. It leads to interesting discoveries in both art and mathematics.

Apologies for the error!

Philosophy bear • 14 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. There was an error in a previous post where the wrong link was shared for the 'Talk to Philosophy Bear' bot. It's important to check links for accuracy.
  2. The correct link has been provided in the updated post for anyone interested in using the bot. Always look for updates to get the right information.
  3. Supporting content creators can help them keep producing interesting posts. Consider subscribing to their work if you enjoy it.

Problem 74: Find the First True in a Sorted Boolean Array [Stripe]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Logic
  1. The post discusses the problem of finding the first true value in a sorted boolean array, with a specific focus on the index of the first true element.
  2. It mentions industry news about layoffs in companies like Zoom and Disney, prompting readers to explore more about such topics.
  3. The writer emphasizes the release of a Tech Made Simple Ebook on Amazon and offers insights into the content and its accessibility.

The tactical variation of the fundamental theorem

Infinitely More • 12 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
🚌 Education Logic
  1. In some finite games, either one player has a winning tactic or both players can draw the game. This rule applies to many familiar games like tic-tac-toe and Connect Four.
  2. Not all games follow this winning or drawing pattern. Some games, like the Chocolatier's game, can have different outcomes.
  3. There is a way to tell which games have a winning tactic or drawing tactics by looking at how much information is available on the board. More information can lead to clearer winning strategies.

Sorrowful Wisdom

What Is Called Thinking? • 16 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Philosophers often believe wisdom leads to happiness, but Ecclesiastes suggests it can bring sorrow instead. It's important to understand that knowing more can also make us more aware of life's difficulties.
  2. Finding a balance between the promise of wisdom and its harsh reality is challenging. We shouldn't just choose one side, but rather learn to navigate both perspectives.
  3. The exploration of wisdom should take into account the emotional weight it can carry. It's okay to feel burdened by knowledge; it's a part of being human.

How we might have viewed the continuum hypothesis as a fundamental axiom necessary for mathematics

Infinitely More • 20 implied HN points • 22 May 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. The continuum hypothesis (CH) is about understanding different sizes of infinity, particularly if there's a number between natural numbers and real numbers. Many assume its truth or falsehood is needed for math.
  2. If early mathematicians had been clearer about infinitesimals and different types of numbers, they might have accepted CH as a key part of math and calculus, making hyperreal numbers a standard concept.
  3. Whether CH is true or false is not just a technical question; it reflects deeper philosophical views about the nature of mathematics and how we interpret infinity and set theory.

Problem 56:Climbing Stairs[Amazon]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 15 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Logic
  1. The post discusses a problem related to climbing stairs, involving dynamic programming, logic, recursion, and math.
  2. The problem presents a scenario where you can climb a certain number of steps to reach the top, and you have to find the distinct ways to do so.
  3. Examples and constraints are given, along with a link to test your solution on Leetcode.

What is Truth (Part 1: Defining Truth)

Ethics Under Construction • 10 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Truth is all about reasons. It means the explanations we have that help us understand and reduce doubt about things.
  2. Everything has a reason behind it. If something is true, there should always be a solid explanation why it's true.
  3. Understanding truth as just reasons makes it easier to see how everything connects. It’s not some mysterious thing; it’s just about having the right justifications for what we know.

A brief note on Newcomb's problem

Philosophy bear • 28 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. Newcomb's problem involves two boxes: one potentially holds more money than the other based on what an oracle predicts you will choose. Choosing both boxes might seem smart since it guarantees some amount, but there's a deeper philosophical debate about the best strategy.
  2. Some people strongly believe that just picking the blue box (the one with the most potential money) is obviously the best choice, but it's unfair to call those who pick both boxes 'stupid' since their reasoning also makes sense.
  3. Ultimately, this problem raises important questions about decision-making and what it means to want something, suggesting that understanding our desires and decision strategies is complex and varies from person to person.

[Solution]Problem 67: Designing a Card Game Class [Facebook/Meta]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 02 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Logic
  1. Designing classes for games involves creating functions like adding cards, getting card string representations, and comparing card values.
  2. When creating a card game class, it's important to think about expandability for accommodating new requirements in the future.
  3. Developing coding skills by working through problems like designing a card game class can be beneficial for building a strong foundation for a career in programming.

[Solution]Problem 66: ZigZag String[PayPal]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 25 Nov 22
🕹 Technology Logic
  1. Problem 66 involves zigzag string printing in a diagonal pattern, a common coding challenge.
  2. Zigzag printing moves diagonally through the string and returns to the top right after a specified number of lines.
  3. The solution requires understanding zigzag printing logic and implementing it in code.

What is the essential structure of the complex numbers?

Infinitely More • 38 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Logic
  1. There are different ways to think about complex numbers, like focusing on their algebraic or topological structures. Each viewpoint gives us unique insights into how complex numbers behave.
  2. Mathematicians don't all agree on what the essential structure of complex numbers is, leading to multiple interpretations. It shows us that understanding math can be quite flexible.
  3. The paper identifies four main perspectives on complex numbers, which can help clarify the discussions around their nature and engage with broader philosophical questions in mathematics.