We have a responsibility to help others in need, just like we would save a drowning child, even if it's inconvenient for us. Helping others shouldn't depend on whether someone else is doing it too.
Thinking about charity should focus on our obligations to help, rather than questioning if we should care about people far away. Our compassion should guide our actions.
Discussions about aid, like those involving organizations such as USAID, often lack depth. We need to critically evaluate the impact and effectiveness of our help.
Property rights exist because we believe in them. They aren’t like physical things we can measure but are ideas that people create and agree on.
When disputes happen over property, it's often a matter of conflicting beliefs. The winner is decided based on how society views those beliefs, which can change over time.
Different cultures have different rules about property. These rules shape how property rights are understood and can even change who gets to keep what when someone passes away.
Many people today might view manliness and moral courage differently than before. They often see strong self-assertion, even if it's not traditional or polite, as a sign of being a 'real man.'
There’s a belief among some that moral standards have been corrupted, leading them to respect those who reject these standards instead. They feel that being true to oneself and showing strength is what really matters.
The ongoing transformation in how manliness is defined raises questions about traditional values. Some think that a connection with faith might be overshadowed by this new bold view of masculinity.
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.
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.
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 text discusses two forms of primitivism: egalitarian primitivism and hierarchical primitivism.
Egalitarian primitivism seeks a return to primitive as a form of levelling, while hierarchical primitivism glorifies life and engages in a struggle.
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.
The idea of dangerous ideas includes those that can harm the world, pose threats, or are inherently dangerous in various aspects like technology, science, or philosophy.
The concept of 'white balls' representing beneficial ideas and 'black balls' representing pernicious ideas explores human creativity and the potential risks and benefits of various thought processes.
The post challenges readers to consider whether pursuing dangerous ideas, like founding a Journal of Dangerous Ideas, is a bold approach worth taking or if it leads to unnecessary risks.
Humans create social norms to help detect and punish cheating behavior. These norms act like classifiers that help separate honest mistakes from dishonest actions.
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.
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.
The A-Theory of Time proposes an objectively real, constantly shifting "present moment," which becomes more bizarre upon deeper contemplation.
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.
Access to certain posts and discussions on topics like the A-Theory of Time may be restricted to paid subscribers on platforms like Substack.
David Hume's essays on suicide and the afterlife delve into questioning common beliefs even when granting believers' core premises.
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.
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.
Mental illness isn't necessary for spiraling into extremism, but it can play a role in exacerbating the process.
Human judgment of behavior is based on societal norms and personal perceptions of propriety, praise-worthiness, blame-worthiness, reward-worthiness, and punishment-worthiness.
Low costs and high benefits can lead to purity spirals, where society's expectations become more demanding, driving behavior towards extremism.
Sam Harris argues that free will doesn't exist because our decisions are influenced by factors we don't fully understand or control.
The debate over free will involves complex questions about determinism, moral responsibility, and cognitive capacities.
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.
The author highlights the importance of encouraging readers to engage in thoughtful discussions and voice their opinions.
There is a discussion on academia's need for a more formal network and standards, similar to a sacred order, to enhance knowledge sharing.
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.
The traditional moral argument for the existence of God is not convincing because the premise that without God, objective moral values do not exist is not plausible for all.
Having God as the source of morality does not provide a satisfactory grounding for morality as it creates more questions and issues.
Explaining the existence of moral facts by positing God as the source is as arbitrary as positing other explanations like pleasure being good.
Politics impacts the dating market, affecting who people choose to date based on their ideologies.
There is a rise in people unwilling to date across political lines, leading to fewer marriages and dates.
Woke morality dynamics and past events like the Kavanaugh trial have influenced dating decisions, particularly in avoiding woke women due to fear of false accusations.