The hottest Moral Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

A short defence of gossip

The Common Reader • 1417 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Moral Philosophy Communication Human behavior Ethics
  1. Gossip helps us communicate the truth when direct conversations feel difficult. It allows people to share important information without the pressure of a public setting.
  2. Telling the truth is morally important, especially when it can serve as a warning about someone's behavior. This makes gossip a tool for honest inquiry.
  3. Even though gossip often gets a bad reputation, it has a valuable role in social interactions. It enables people to express concerns and share insights about others.

Amulets Against the Spirits of the Age

The Convivial Society • 2746 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Ethics Existentialism Metaphysics
  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.

Why You Should Trust Trust and Distrust Distrust

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 3617 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Trust Cooperation Game Theory Social Psychology Moral Philosophy
  1. Trust is important for cooperation, but it can be tricky. People often trust others even when there's a chance of being betrayed.
  2. Cooperation can happen even when trust is low. Sometimes, you may need to work with someone before figuring out if they are trustworthy.
  3. Distrust can close you off from learning about others. Starting with trust can help you understand the social world better and find out who is reliable.

The Best Charity Isn't What You Think

Fake Noûs • 259 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Utilitarianism Animal Rights Effective Altruism Moral Philosophy
  1. Helping shrimp can be much more effective than trying to save humans or other animals. Just one dollar can save around 1,600 shrimp from a painful death every year, which is a huge impact for a small amount.
  2. Many people don't realize that shrimp can suffer, but research shows they experience pain similar to other animals. This means their suffering matters too, and we should consider it when thinking about doing good.
  3. The shrimp welfare project is underfunded but incredibly effective. Supporting it can make a big difference in preventing animal suffering while costing very little.

When Hatred and Fear Mask as Indignation

Philosophy bear • 114 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Ethics Social justice Education Political theory
  1. Indignation is feeling morally upset about someone doing something wrong, while contempt is viewing someone as less than human and not caring about their welfare. It's important to understand the difference between these feelings.
  2. People often hide their contempt under the guise of indignation, especially towards groups like children who may commit crimes. We should question this attitude and seek to unmask the true feelings behind it.
  3. Children's moral development is ongoing, and they shouldn't be held to the same standard of moral responsibility as adults. It's unjust to treat them as fully moral agents while denying them basic rights like voting.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Duty to Disregard the Law

Fake Noûs • 100 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal theory Civil Rights Criminal Justice Moral Philosophy
  1. Juries should avoid contributing to injustice. This means not convicting someone who didn't actually do anything wrong or punishing them too harshly.
  2. Sometimes laws are unjust, and it’s important for juries to recognize this. Disregarding such laws can be a moral duty, just like not helping wrongdoers.
  3. The common reasons people give for convicting in unjust cases are not very strong. It's important to think critically about the fairness of the law and its application.

DRAFT: Five Afterthoughts on "Slouching Towards Utopia": Friedrich von Hayek, Michael Polanyi, & Company...

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 84 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Political Economy Moral Philosophy Economic History
  1. The work in political economy and moral philosophy from the 1900s often comes from thinkers connected to the Vienna Circle. Their ideas shaped modern views in these fields.
  2. Natural issues like global warming and resource scarcity greatly impacted the economy throughout the 20th century. It's important to consider these environmental factors when studying economic history.
  3. Understanding different authors and theories, especially those related to socialism and welfare states, helps us grasp the changes in economic growth and social democracy since the late 19th century. Their insights remain relevant today.

Recommended Reading, Part I: Moral Philosophy

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 1017 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Ethics
  1. The curriculum lays out a detailed progression through moral philosophy starting with Ayn Rand and then exploring Alasdair Macintyre's work, culminating in a comparison of their differing ethical frameworks.
  2. The reading list focuses on books that challenge modern ethical frameworks and call for a return to Aristotelian ethics, emphasizing the balance between rational and social aspects of human nature.
  3. Supplemental reading includes works by Aristotle, Ayn Rand, and other philosophers, offering further insights into moral philosophy and ethics.

When Communism Came To America

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 530 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
💾 History Communism Moral Philosophy Economic Systems
  1. Seventeenth-century American colonies like Jamestown and Plymouth were founded on communist principles, which led to starvation and failure.
  2. Communism is inherently immoral and leads to resentment, mistrust, and decreased productivity.
  3. The introduction of private property at Jamestown and Plymouth led to increased productivity, social harmony, and moral transformation, emphasizing the importance of freedom and private property.

Adverse Selection by Life Saving Charities

Optima & Outliers • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Social contract Moral Philosophy
  1. Life-saving charities often focus on minimizing costs per life saved, which can lead to overlooking the quality of life in poorer countries. Simply saving the cheapest lives doesn't account for how much those lives might suffer.
  2. Saving lives in low-income countries often involves addressing symptoms of deeper issues related to poor governance and societal conditions. These issues make it easier to save lives but often result in a lower quality of life.
  3. It's important to consider both present and future quality of life when deciding where to allocate resources for life-saving efforts. Countries with better governance and prospects for improvement may yield better outcomes for saved lives.

On Justices

Doc Hammer's Anvil • 216 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Justice Virtue Ethics Moral Philosophy Social Interaction
  1. Many fundamental moral and philosophical concepts have been lost in modern times, requiring a rediscovery and clarification of ideas.
  2. Justice is a crucial virtue that allows for moral compulsion through force, and it is important to differentiate between Commutative Justice (CJ) and Distributive Justice (DJ).
  3. Commutative Justice (CJ) involves actions that can be enforced through coercion without violating the perception of justice in the eyes of others, while Distributive Justice (DJ) focuses on the becoming use of what is our own and involves a constant debate on what is considered good.

Beyond Victory: Finding Meaning in Never-Ending Defeat

Humanities in Revolt • 199 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Meaning of life
  1. Victory is transient and will eventually lead to defeat. It's essential to find value in the present and in the process, rather than relying solely on achieving a permanent victory.
  2. Meaning in life is not solely derived from achieving outcomes. As humans, we can find purpose in the inherent goodness and aliveness of the present moment.
  3. Challenging injustices, even if the outcome may seem like failure, is a significant act of upholding human dignity and values. Standing against suffering and maintaining human autonomy is a vital form of rebellion.

Wild Problems

Holodoxa • 159 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Moral Philosophy Epistemology Values Reflection
  1. Rational methodologies alone cannot solve all conflicts; values play a crucial role in decisions.
  2. Wild problems, unlike tame problems, cannot be resolved through purely rational analysis.
  3. Effective altruism, while appealing in theory, can lead to challenging ethical dilemmas when taken too seriously.

Murray Rothbard on Me and Vice Versa

David Friedman’s Substack • 269 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Libertarianism Moral Philosophy
  1. Murray Rothbard criticized support for government as an intellectual mistake, highlighting his approach to argument in libertarianism.
  2. Disagreement with Rothbard on producing libertarian law in an anarcho-capitalist society due to differing views on law development and enforcement.
  3. Rothbard and Ayn Rand shared similar styles and approaches in their political views despite disagreements, with Rothbard eventually satirizing Rand in a play.

The case for narrow utilitarianism

inexactscience • 99 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Utilitarianism Critical Thinking Decision-making Moral Philosophy
  1. Utilitarianism is about making choices that increase overall well-being and treats everyone equally. It's a way of thinking that encourages using data and math to improve lives.
  2. While utilitarianism sounds good, taking it too far can lead to poor decisions and people justifying bad behavior. It's important to recognize our own biases and limits.
  3. Narrow utilitarianism suggests we apply these ideas only in clear situations where we understand the problems well. It's better to stay focused and cautious rather than trying to force comparisons between very different choices.

BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-02-14 We

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 123 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Economic History Economics Global Warming Moral Philosophy Public Reason
  1. The COVID-19 depression and subsequent reopening have not generated consistent lessons for the future given its unique nature
  2. There are significant macro distortions in the current economy, including massive consumer spending shifts, supply chain disruptions, and job market imbalances
  3. Global warming continues to progress, as evidenced by alarming images and reports

What Critics of the Humanities Don't Understand

Humanities in Revolt • 299 implied HN points • 10 Feb 22
📖 Philosophy Values Critical Thinking Aesthetics Political Philosophy Moral Philosophy
  1. Critics of the humanities often underestimate their importance and mistakenly prioritize practical fields like STEM over humanities. However, an in-depth analysis reveals the value-based assumptions behind such claims.
  2. The humanities contribute to understanding human existence beyond mere practicality by encouraging contemplation of values, creativity, and the human condition. They help us figure out our fundamental goals and values that guide decision-making.
  3. Philosophy delves into examining human values, morality, aesthetics, and political philosophy, emphasizing the indispensable role the humanities play in critically evaluating our beliefs, actions, and societal structures based on deeper values.

Why Catholics Should Support the Transhumanist Goal of Extended Life

Extropic Thoughts • 58 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism Transhumanism Moral Philosophy Life Extension
  1. Catholics should have a generally favorable attitude towards transhumanism and the pursuit of greatly extended maximum life spans.
  2. The Catholic Church has no objection to supporting efforts to combat aging and extend human life spans.
  3. Extending human life spans can provide more time to develop virtue, do good works, serve God, and save souls.

Dystopian visions: My Object All Sublime

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life • 6 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
⚔ Fiction Science fiction Literature Storytelling Dystopia Moral Philosophy
  1. Time travel is a popular idea in stories, but it might not be a good thing. Changing the past could lead to even worse outcomes.
  2. The story 'My Object All Sublime' shows how time travel could be used as a punishment. This raises strong moral questions about technology and its impacts.
  3. As technology advances quickly, we might lose touch with important values like kindness. It's worth thinking about how we can manage our inventions better.

Epicurus, the First "Rationalist"?

Maximum Truth • 37 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ancient Philosophy Moral Philosophy Epistemology Metaphysics Ethics
  1. Epicurus, an ancient philosopher, focused on maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, inspiring utilitarianism.
  2. Epicurus had a rational and secular approach to understanding the world, advocating for scientific explanations over myths.
  3. He had insightful scientific views for his time, such as proposing the existence of atoms and explaining the origins of scents.

Hayek Helps Us Understand Why People Are Losing Their Minds

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 34 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Political Philosophy Social Philosophy Ethics
  1. F.A. Hayek's 'The Fatal Conceit' helps us understand how reason is not the cause but a product of civilization.
  2. Reason does not exist separately from our social environment, impacting our ability to resist tyranny.
  3. Humanity's evolution and civilization were shaped by following rules and morality, not by mere intellect or socialist ideals.

Moral progress

sémaphore • 0 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Software Development Moral Philosophy
  1. AI progress is complex and doesn't have a clear endpoint. We need to keep adjusting our understanding and actions as technology evolves.
  2. Debates about AI safety versus capabilities can be misleading. The goal should be to integrate both safety and innovation together.
  3. Moral progress is a continuous journey, not a perfect finish line. It's important to develop AI responsibly while recognizing the challenges of our imperfect world.

The Social Discount Rate is Plausibly Negative

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Economics Social theory Moral Philosophy
  1. The social discount rate helps us understand how we value our current consumption compared to future consumption. A higher discount rate means we prefer to consume now rather than later.
  2. There are different views on the social discount rate. Some might prioritize current needs and want a high rate, while others might value future generations equally, leading to a zero rate.
  3. In decision-making about resources and moral issues, we should consider hypothetical people, as well as current people's needs. This broader perspective can change how we approach important social issues.