The hottest Morality Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Non-Ordinary Sensemaking: How to Navigate a New Reality

rebelwisdom • 1552 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The more time we spend online, the more we risk being influenced by different states of consciousness.
  2. To effectively navigate different states of consciousness, we need 'state competence' and should learn to translate between them.
  3. Understanding cognition as embodied, embedded, enacted, and extended can help us adapt to different environments and perspectives.

"IS THAT TRUE???"

Going Awol • 239 implied HN points • 06 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Questioning the existence of truth leads to a thought-provoking conversation about belief systems and faith.
  2. The discussion shifts to the concept of creation and the role of God in the origin of life and morality.
  3. The scenario presented showcases how personal beliefs and moral choices can influence one's stance on religious views.
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Is This The Real Life? Or Just a Fantasy?

Glenn’s Substack • 1081 implied HN points • 25 May 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The question of whether we are living in a real world or a computer simulation has gained attention.
  2. Living in a simulated universe raises intriguing questions about religion, morality, and existence.
  3. If we are in a simulation, being interesting and full of conflict might be essential for our continued existence.

Putin's Pope

Diane Francis • 1039 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Pope Francis has not directly condemned Vladimir Putin or Russia for their actions in Ukraine, which many see as disappointing and unacceptable. His statements have sometimes aligned with Kremlin views, making it hard to see where he stands.
  2. Unlike previous Popes who took strong stands against oppressive regimes, Pope Francis seems to avoid clear condemnation of the aggressors in the Ukraine conflict. This has led to frustration among those who expect moral leadership from him.
  3. The Pope's attempts at peace talks have been criticized as ineffective, especially since they often ignore Ukraine's role as a victim. Many believe that until he openly condemns Russia, he won't be taken seriously.

The Duty of Joy

Egg Report • 982 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Real emotional maturity goes beyond just validating emotions.
  2. It's important to lead by example and show genuine happiness.
  3. Strive to be strong, healthy, joyful, and live in truth to make a positive impact.

Darwin the Cynic

Everything Is Bullshit • 904 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Being a Darwinian cynic means believing people are motivated by self-interest, family-interest, and group-interest.
  2. Darwinian cynicism challenges the idea of pure altruism, suggesting that human actions are ultimately selfish, nepotistic, or groupish.
  3. Moral progress and idealism are seen as accidental byproducts rather than deliberate desires in the lens of Darwinian cynicism.

Temperance Contra Superabundance

thestoa • 471 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Smith advocates reducing supply chain dependency and cultivating trusted personal networks.
  2. There are two competing futures: the end of superabundance or a techno-capital machine leading to abundance for all.
  3. Temperance is essential regardless of whether the era of superabundance is ending or beginning.

The Future's Going to Break Your Heart

Pacification • 825 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Life today is better for most people than it was in the past
  2. Modernity involves technological advancements and a focus on equality and dignity for all individuals
  3. The future is uncertain, and it's important to embrace humility, feedback, and adaptability in planning for it

On the Two Forms of Primitivism

Grey Goose Chronicles • 471 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The text discusses two forms of primitivism: egalitarian primitivism and hierarchical primitivism.
  2. Egalitarian primitivism seeks a return to primitive as a form of levelling, while hierarchical primitivism glorifies life and engages in a struggle.
  3. Nature is portrayed as a refuge for those seeking escape from modernity, with some using it for personal solace and others turning it into a morality play.

Yes, speech is often violence or morally on par with it

Philosophy bear • 121 implied HN points • 15 Nov 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Speech can be as harmful as violence, especially when it leads to negative actions like war or unjust policies. If someone argues for a harmful action, they share in the moral blame for its consequences.
  2. Even when people argue for policies they believe are justified, those discussions can still be seen as participating in violence, given the potential for real harm. The intention behind the argument doesn't fully absolve the speaker from responsibility.
  3. Words can cause significant emotional and psychological harm, often comparable to physical violence. Speech has power, and we should be careful and considerate with how we use it, recognizing its potential impact.

Please take my weird moral puzzles quiz

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 468 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  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 life cycle of a taboo

Wrong Side of History • 408 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Taboos can feel permanent, but they often start from new ideas or changes in society. It's interesting how what seems normal can shift over time.
  2. Different cultures create their own taboos for specific reasons, like protecting resources or avoiding risks. For example, Hindus have rules about cows, while Jews avoid pigs.
  3. As societies change, people often find themselves in trouble for breaking old taboos. What was once acceptable can become frowned upon or even illegal.

Morality Is Not Nice

Everything Is Bullshit • 746 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Morality often justifies bad behavior using noble excuses like 'justice' or 'what you deserve.'
  2. Morality evolved through competition, domination, and exploiting others for personal gain.
  3. Our moral progress as a society has been driven by the fear of mutually assured destruction and social mobilization.

Social norms as classifiers

normality’s Substack • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Humans create social norms to help detect and punish cheating behavior. These norms act like classifiers that help separate honest mistakes from dishonest actions.
  2. The Knobe effect shows that people often see bad actions as intentional, while good actions are viewed differently. This can lead to inconsistencies in moral judgment based on our understanding of intentions.
  3. It's important to continuously review and update our social norms. When norms fail, they can harm innocent people, so we need to make sure they are fair and effective.

Evil

Philosophy bear • 271 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. People often judge others as evil without thinking about their own actions. This can lead to a negative view of humanity as a whole.
  2. Many people have done wrong things, and the way we talk about these acts can make us dismiss the complexity of human morality.
  3. Instead of harsh judgment, we should approach others with understanding, recognizing that everyone has flaws and can change for the better.

Why I Don't Buy the A-Theory of Time

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 579 implied HN points • 16 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The A-Theory of Time proposes an objectively real, constantly shifting "present moment," which becomes more bizarre upon deeper contemplation.
  2. Studying philosophy in college often involves exploring brain-in-a-vat-style thought experiments about knowledge, debates between Utilitarianism and Kantianism on morality, as well as discussions on mind-body dualism versus materialism.
  3. Access to certain posts and discussions on topics like the A-Theory of Time may be restricted to paid subscribers on platforms like Substack.

The Puzzle of Stalking

Going Awol • 159 implied HN points • 13 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Identifying why stalking is wrong helps determine its legality and severity.
  2. Stalking can be seen as a forced and unwanted relationship imposed on the victim.
  3. Stalking involves violating the victim's autonomy and right to choose their relationships.

Hollywood Morality

Fake Noûs • 920 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Hollywood often struggles with moral philosophy and promotes a kind of morality that seems unrealistic. Instead of dealing with complex situations, they opt for simple solutions that make heroes look good.
  2. In Hollywood, self-defense is tricky; heroes must wait for an attack before fighting back, even when it's clear they're in danger. This approach can make characters seem foolish and overly lenient.
  3. The way Hollywood portrays morality ignores real-world consequences. Their stories often end with characters benefiting from luck rather than genuine moral choices, which can lead to dangerous ideas about how to handle conflict.

Groundless Morals

Fake Noûs • 348 implied HN points • 31 May 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The idea that morality depends on God is questioned. If God's commands are arbitrary, then morality can seem subjective.
  2. Secular views can provide a strong basis for objective morality. Concepts like universals help make sense of moral truths without needing a divine source.
  3. Many arguments used to support theism, like the ontological argument, are seen as flawed. They don't prove God's existence because a definition doesn't guarantee a real thing.

Faust

Trantor Publishing • 199 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
📚 Literature Morality
  1. The story explores the consequences of making a deal with a demon and the feelings of regret and revulsion that can follow such a decision.
  2. It highlights the theme of moral choices, showcasing how small decisions can lead to significant impacts on one's life and sense of self.
  3. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of facing consequences, seeking redemption, and reflecting on personal values in times of moral turmoil.

Creating Our Own Commandments?

The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter • 275 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Different perspectives on creating moral commandments were shared, some based on utilitarianism while others emphasized faithfulness and love.
  2. The Ten Commandments focus on relationship with God and others, setting a higher moral standard.
  3. The idea that moral laws must come from a transcendent, objective source like the Ten Commandments was highlighted.

The Sigmoidal Moral Value Function

Bet On It • 191 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The effects of radiation don't work in a straight line. At low levels, the harm is minimal and at high levels, they can be dangerously lethal. Instead, the impact follows an S-shaped curve.
  2. Just like spending time with kids has diminishing returns, relationships also follow a similar sigmoidal pattern. A little time can have no effect, but after a certain point, more time won't significantly improve the bond.
  3. This S-shape model isn't just for science; it also applies to moral beliefs and our feelings about pain, hinting that our moral intuitions might follow similar patterns as seen in nature and relationships.

Hume in Hell (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 758 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. David Hume's essays on suicide and the afterlife delve into questioning common beliefs even when granting believers' core premises.
  2. Hume challenges the concept of suicide as a sin against God, arguing that humans cannot disrupt God's plan or transgress against it through suicide.
  3. The essays lead to a broader reflection that morality should be grounded in human considerations, not divine commands, opening up a secular perspective in philosophy.

Nietzschean Morality, Criminal Impulses, Inequality

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 814 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Nietzsche's ideas challenge traditional views of morality. They encourage looking at morality from a different perspective.
  2. Understanding criminal impulses can help us find ways to address crime more effectively. Therapy might be one of the options to consider.
  3. Reducing inequality might be as simple as increasing work opportunities. Encouraging people to work more could lessen social gaps.

From Propriety to Extremism

Doc Hammer's Anvil • 216 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Mental illness isn't necessary for spiraling into extremism, but it can play a role in exacerbating the process.
  2. Human judgment of behavior is based on societal norms and personal perceptions of propriety, praise-worthiness, blame-worthiness, reward-worthiness, and punishment-worthiness.
  3. Low costs and high benefits can lead to purity spirals, where society's expectations become more demanding, driving behavior towards extremism.

Hostility to Money

David Friedman’s Substack • 224 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. People often prefer non-monetary forms of payment in social situations, like inviting someone to dinner instead of giving them cash. This shows a belief that relationships should feel personal, not transactional.
  2. Adoption and surrogacy reveal the oddity of payment norms. While it's acceptable to pay for services related to these processes, directly paying a mother for consent is often seen as wrong.
  3. Money can change how we view relationships. When money is involved, it can make things feel unequal, as if one person is superior to the other, which is why some avoid payments in certain social interactions.

The Room and Matt Christman

De Pony Sum • 412 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Matt Christman deserves appreciation for his understanding of societal injustices and the need for change.
  2. The analogy of a room with limited democracy, resources, healthcare, and foreign policy mirrors the inequalities present in the world.
  3. The message conveyed by Christman emphasizes the importance of solidarity, shared humanity, and the power to create a better world.

Sam Harris Has Nothing Useful to Say About Free Will (UNLOCKED)

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 619 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Sam Harris argues that free will doesn't exist because our decisions are influenced by factors we don't fully understand or control.
  2. The debate over free will involves complex questions about determinism, moral responsibility, and cognitive capacities.
  3. Compatibilist philosophers like John Martin Fischer redefine free will in terms of being reasons-responsive, rather than just the ability to act differently given the same circumstances.

You're so smart

Becoming Noble • 398 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The author highlights the importance of encouraging readers to engage in thoughtful discussions and voice their opinions.
  2. There is a discussion on academia's need for a more formal network and standards, similar to a sacred order, to enhance knowledge sharing.
  3. The post delves into the complexities surrounding AI and how it impacts society biologically and socially, urging a deeper understanding of the system's dynamics.