The hottest Morality Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

What Is Grandmotherly Wisdom?

Grandmotherly Wisdom • 353 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Wisdom Life Humanity Morality Generations
  1. Grandmotherly Wisdom emphasizes the importance of understanding our connection to past generations and shaping a better future for those to come.
  2. It encourages finding beauty in everyday moments and the value of personal care, attention and shared experiences.
  3. It involves recognizing the collective effort needed for personal growth, building strong communities, and taking responsibility for creating a positive impact in the world.

“Succession” and the end of the illusion of ethical capitalism

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 890 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture TV Series Capitalism Ethics Society Morality
  1. The idea that capitalism can be successful and ethical is shattered by the portrayal in the TV series 'Succession.'
  2. The distinction between a society following legal rules versus one that is truly ethical is highlighted, emphasizing the need to minimize the use of power in both markets and within companies.
  3. The blurring of moral lines between personal and professional spheres in 'Succession' serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive influence of commercialization and amoral behavior in our society.
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The Theology of the Hypsistarian Church

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 746 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Prayer Morality Monotheism
  1. The Hypsistarian Church focused on monotheistic beliefs in a deity known as God Most High.
  2. Plutarch's writings provide insights into the theological beliefs and practices of the Hypsistarians, drawing connections to ancient monotheistic traditions.
  3. Ancient prayers and inscriptions reveal the reverence and worship of God Most High as the eternal, just, and wise creator of the cosmos.

Evolutionary Ethics

Doc Hammer's Anvil • 255 implied HN points • 13 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Evolution Morality Culture Species
  1. Morality is subjective but also objective in extremes, with the real debate lying in the middle ground.
  2. Societies with dysfunctional morality can be seen as sick due to cultural contagion, but can also experience evolutionary changes.
  3. Evolutionary processes differ from human incremental changes, resulting in species adapting to different environments and niches.

The Morality Paradox

Who is Robert Malone • 18 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Agency Leadership Decision-making
  1. High-agency people have the ability to shape their own lives and pursue their goals actively. They take control and create opportunities instead of just waiting for them.
  2. Being goal-oriented is important, but high-agency individuals also display qualities like resilience, discipline, and creativity. They aren't just about making plans; they push through challenges.
  3. While high-agency behaviors can lead to great achievements, they may also come with a lack of empathy or ethical considerations. It's crucial for these individuals to balance ambition with integrity.

Some Notes on Political Apology

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Apology Responsibility Morality Justice
  1. Voters often demand political apologies but don't always accept them, leading to a paradox. Despite this, there are valid reasons for demanding apologies even when acceptance is unlikely.
  2. Conditional apologies, though controversial, can still be considered genuine apologies as they reflect an acceptance of facts, remorse, a desire for improvement, and a commitment to change.
  3. Politicians sometimes apologize for historical events they weren't personally involved in to acknowledge narrative connections and prevent the risk of causing expressive harm by remaining silent.

Hidden Brain and Evil Explain

Moral Understanding • 98 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political divide Morality Political Behavior Psychology Polarization
  1. Political beliefs are often driven by perceptions of threat and protecting different groups from harm.
  2. Misunderstandings about the views of political opponents can lead to false polarization and animosity.
  3. Having open conversations with people who have different political views is crucial for a healthy society and understanding each other's humanity.

Aella: In defence of a birthday girl

Philosophy bear • 185 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Existence Morality Values Meaning
  1. Many criticize Aella for her promiscuous sex life, but it's essential to understand differing views on sexuality and values.
  2. Aella challenges traditional norms by living authentically and making unconventional choices, aiming to achieve her own goals instead of following societal scripts.
  3. Aella's approach to sex involves exploring different facets of eroticism, like performatively de-eroticizing sex to intensify its significance and linking it with scientific exploration.

The Continuing Relevance of Adam Smith's "Man of System"

Knowledge Problem • 137 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Morality Epistemology Political Philosophy Ethics
  1. Adam Smith criticizes interventionist approaches in government that disregard individual preferences and autonomy.
  2. Smith highlights the knowledge problem, emphasizing that individuals have unique preferences and societal systems cannot easily override them.
  3. The 'man of system' imposes his ideals regardless of objections, whereas Smith's analyses focus on systems where participation is voluntary and based on mutual agreement.

Genetic Fitness and Prime Minister Salaries

Ulysses • 79 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Wealth Politics Inequality Capitalism Morality
  1. Questions are raised about Prime Ministers' salaries and the impact on their performance, highlighting the importance of fair compensation for effective governance.
  2. Wealth generation, inheritance, and income disparity are discussed in relation to social morality and the need for wealth to be created through value-generating activities.
  3. The effectiveness of economic systems in improving quality of life over generations, the role of capital allocation, and the potential risks of policymakers losing touch with the general public are examined.

Being Good Means More than Not Being an "Asshole": The Limits of the Nelson Family Rules

Humanities in Revolt • 179 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Morality Ethics Character Self-awareness
  1. Being morally good is more complex than just not hurting others intentionally. It involves being aware of the impact of our actions, even if harm is unintentional.
  2. Moral goodness requires active effort and mindfulness to consider how our choices affect others, beyond just avoiding being malicious.
  3. To be morally good, we must develop a character of moral self-awareness and actively combat our egocentrism by considering the well-being of others in our decisions.

Mapping Problems

David Friedman’s Substack • 215 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Law
  1. Many problems arise when trying to map continuous variables to binary responses.
  2. Arbitrary lines are often drawn to simplify complex issues, which may not always reflect reality.
  3. In legal and moral systems, certainty plays a significant role in determining guilt and punishment.

Bubble Explainer Article: Housefire Beliefs

Resident Contrarian • 488 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Religion Christianity Atheism Morality
  1. Some arguments can be troublesome because they are specific but associated with bigger, contentious topics.
  2. Beliefs are complex - people may not always act in line with their beliefs, and interpretations of texts can vary.
  3. Challenges to religious beliefs may request believers to treat their beliefs as if they were imaginary, leading to conflicts and complexities.

Contra Perry Hendricks on Abortion

Going Awol • 139 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Abortion Ethics Morality Intuition
  1. Both Kyle van Oosterum and Amos Wollen disagree with conclusions made by Perry Hendricks on the topic of abortion.
  2. There is a debate around the justification of coercing someone to provide bodily support, such as breastfeeding, in difficult circumstances.
  3. The opportunity costs and real-world implications of pregnancy play a significant role in discussions about the legality and morality of abortion.

You Don't Know MLK

Humanities in Revolt • 219 implied HN points • 14 Jan 23
💾 History Civil Rights Social justice Activism Morality Ethics
  1. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. faced significant opposition and was hated by many Americans during his time, contrasting with his revered status today.
  2. King advocated for radical social change, including fighting against materialism, militarism, and economic injustice, aspects often overlooked in mainstream narratives about him.
  3. It's important to recognize the fuller picture of Rev. King's activism beyond just his nonviolent civil rights work, as he also promoted economic equality, critiqued capitalism, and spoke out against the Vietnam War.

Feynman, Fairy Tales & Fooling Ourselves

Weekly Wisdom • 139 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Psychology Fiction Morality Spirituality Self-deception
  1. Richard Feynman emphasized the importance of not fooling oneself, as we are often prone to self-deception.
  2. Fairy tales serve as more than simple children's stories, often exploring dark themes and offering lessons through storytelling.
  3. Stories like 'The Emperor's New Clothes' highlight human tendencies such as vanity, greed, conformity, and the importance of speaking up against falsehoods.

Left-Hand Paths

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
📖 Philosophy Esotericism Religion Morality Gender Feminism
  1. Religions and ideologies can be seen as having two paths: the right-hand path, typically exoteric and emphasizing external redemption, and the left-hand path, more anarchist and focusing on listening to oneself.
  2. Esoteric readings of texts offer alternative perspectives, like interpreting biblical passages in a different light to challenge established beliefs and morality.
  3. Engaging in left-handed readings of texts involves maintaining the sacredness of the text while exploring unconventional interpretations that may lead to new insights or narratives.

Throwing People Out Windows in the Time of the Plague

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

The Integrity Objection to Utilitarianism

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 08 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Theory Critique Values
  1. Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness and minimizing pain, even if it means compromising personal integrity.
  2. The Integrity Objection argues that utilitarianism undervalues personal values, aspirations, and moral integrity, leading to unreasonable demands.
  3. Critics point out that utilitarianism may push individuals to act against their core values, showing flaws in the theory's approach to balancing consequences and personal integrity.

The Vice of Crappy Moralism

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Morality Judgment Social media Gossip
  1. Social media often invites us to judge others, but we may not truly know the whole story.
  2. Crappy moralizing involves gossiping, invading privacy, piling on attacks, and seeking a false sense of superiority.
  3. There are times when moral judgment is necessary, like addressing mistreatment or evaluating public officials, but excessive moralizing may not be helpful.