The hottest Morality Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Your Emotions Aren't Your Heart of Hearts

apxhard • 51 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Your emotions are not the same as your true self. It's important to understand that feelings are just a part of you, not the whole you.
  2. Finding a balance between emotion and reason is key. When we connect our thinking and feeling, we can make better choices and understand ourselves more clearly.
  3. Family should be our main focus for values, not just individual desires. Caring for our family helps guide our emotions and decisions in a way that benefits everyone.

The Integrity Objection to Utilitarianism

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 08 May 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  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.

On the Question of Why?

Black Lodges • 58 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Questioning the reasons behind rebellion and the need for change in society.
  2. Exploring the connection between morality, anger, and the desire for a better life.
  3. Highlighting how anger can be channeled into a force for progress and liberation.

Marxism, Alcohol, and God

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 98 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Belief in eternal truths, such as individual autonomy and protection from coercion, is paramount.
  2. Facing reality and accepting personal responsibility are crucial for overcoming addiction and understanding societal deceptions.
  3. Marxism is criticized for denying reality, seeking power over truth, and disregarding eternal truths, leading to societal manipulation.
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Curator

Castalia • 139 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Roland Griffiths has played a big role in bringing psychedelics back to scientific study, showing they can have real mental health benefits. His research has changed the way people think about psychedelics and their potential uses.
  2. There is a complicated debate about separating an artist's work from their personal character. While some believe that art can exist apart from the artist's morals, many feel uncomfortable consuming art created by people who have done bad things.
  3. The #MeToo movement is important, but it has complicated the way we view allegations and public accusations. Some cases, like that of Junot Díaz, show that not every accusation is entirely accurate, highlighting the need for careful investigation.

Organ Harvesting is Wrong, Actually

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Many people find organ harvesting morally wrong, even in extreme situations where it could save multiple lives.
  2. Arguments against the deontic intuition of organ harvesting may fail to persuade due to common-sense prevailing.
  3. Considerations like societal aversion to killing and the veil of ignorance don't always justify violating rights for the greater good.

Preachy Vegans [2]

Fake Noûs • 306 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Morality
  1. Vegans believe eating meat is morally wrong, not just a personal preference.
  2. Raising serious moral concerns should not be dismissed as 'preachy'.
  3. Taking morality seriously means acknowledging and engaging with ethical issues.

Second-handers

The Voyage • 39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. There are two types of people: first-handers and second-handers.
  2. First-handers desire greatness for themselves, while second-handers desire greatness for the approval of others.
  3. First-handers stay true to themselves, while second-handers seek validation from society.

Lift the weight

blurry electron • 39 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The right and left shouldn't always be in conflict, there are tools for progress
  2. The future isn't about battling between masculine and feminine, it's about unity
  3. Don't blame women or weights for challenges, see them as opportunities for growth

What Would Jesus Really Do?

Nonsense on Stilts • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Many religious philosophers don't agree on moral issues like the trolley problem. It shows that moral clarity may not be as strong in religion as some claim.
  2. Interestingly, atheistic philosophers seem to have a clearer stance on the trolley problem compared to theistic ones.
  3. Overall, this raises questions about whether religion truly resolves moral dilemmas or if it creates more confusion.

Leaving Eden

Desk Notes by Charles Schifano • 340 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Nature is not peaceful; it involves horror, pain, and destruction.
  2. Animals in the wild don't have graceful endings or retirement plans.
  3. Understanding historical atrocities is crucial to prevent them from happening again.

Manliness Is Next To Godliness?

Gideon's Substack • 114 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Morality
  1. 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.'
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Bubble Explainer Article: Housefire Beliefs

Resident Contrarian • 488 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality 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.

Different Scopes for Different Folks

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 455 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Our moral intuitions can lead us astray when it comes to communal versus systematic modes of living.
  2. There is a need for a balance between tribalism in communities and capitalism in the economy.
  3. Finding the balance between egalitarianism and meritocracy is a significant challenge for society.

The whoral majority

Sex and the State • 38 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Many people have a rigid view of morality based on what they were taught as children, which can create discomfort with new ideas.
  2. Prostitution, often viewed negatively, has existed throughout history and can actually provide financial independence and safety when decriminalized.
  3. The author questions the morality of organized religions, especially given their contradictions and failures, and believes that the perspectives of sex workers should be valued more.

Being Good by "Going to Hell"?

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Being good requires conscious effort and intentional action, contrary to the belief that being bad takes more effort.
  2. Moral goodness is seen as an achievement by philosophers like Buddha and Aristotle, emphasizing the importance of developing virtuous habits.
  3. Challenging societal norms or beliefs, even when faced with ignorance or disapproval, is crucial for genuine moral integrity and often requires disobedience.

Links to Consider, 1/30

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Morality is about getting everyone on the same side, not achieving good consequences.
  2. Written language played a crucial role in the development of human civilization.
  3. There is a significant gender divide on political views among young people globally.

Why Aren’t Hollywood Movies Classy Anymore?

Shades of Greaves • 58 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Modern movies and TV shows often include mature themes like nudity, profanity, and violence, which can make them uncomfortable compared to the classic Hollywood era.
  2. There's a concern about the decline of moral values in films, with modern movies sometimes glorifying negative behaviors like gang violence and drug abuse.
  3. The nostalgia for the elegance of classic cinema reflects a desire for media that upholds traditional American values and societal structures.

10 Vicious Cycles

This Week's Top Ten • 58 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  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.

Hit List

The Elbow • 58 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
⚔ Fiction Morality
  1. In time travel, altering history is complex and often leads back to the original timeline, as seen in alternate events but ultimately returning to familiar history.
  2. Actions to prevent a dark past can reflect redemption attempts, showcasing the potential for change even in the most evil of individuals.
  3. Even with the ability to change moments in the past, certain events are unchangeable, leading to reflections on accepting the reality of the past and its outcomes.

✨🔍 Rosh Hashana 2023

TorahRedux • 58 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Symbols matter in human culture, offering meaning and initiating action in the external world.
  2. Prayer is deeply personal, and being genuine in prayer is more important than following formalities.
  3. Taking responsibility is key for growth and change, both personally and within a community.

The Drowning Billionaires and the Expanding Circle

Confidence Interval • 58 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Some people find it immoral for billionaires to pay large sums for luxury experiences when the money could be used to do good elsewhere.
  2. The concept of Effective Altruism emphasizes the idea of making sacrifices to help those in need, even if it means forgoing luxury experiences.
  3. Expanding our circle of sympathy to understand and respect different ways people choose to spend their money is important.

Integrity, Safety, & Conference Venues

Living Fossils • 25 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Morality
  1. Integrity in judgments means looking at actions, not just who did them. It's important to evaluate behavior based on its own merit.
  2. There's a big difference between how society handles punishments based on a person's identity versus their actions. Often, identity can shield someone from consequences.
  3. The choice of a conference location can reflect deeper values, especially in academia. Prioritizing safety in some contexts should match the expectations in different locations.

Masters and Slaves in a Postmodern World

Based Meditations • 39 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Slavery still exists in various forms globally, despite the perception of modern advancement and democracy.
  2. Strong willpower and autonomy are essential for true freedom and independence, rather than relying on external systems or powers.
  3. Power dynamics, such as master-slave relationships, exist not just in human systems but also in nature and the cosmos, shaping our societal structures and interactions.

golden rules and golden ages

bad cattitude • 198 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Religions and stories serve as important guides in understanding human nature and society.
  2. Basic values like the golden rule are vital in forming societal foundations and trust.
  3. The decline of religious underpinnings can lead to societal fragmentation and the rise of harmful ideologies.

Aella: In defence of a birthday girl

Philosophy bear • 185 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  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.

Mapping Problems

David Friedman’s Substack • 215 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  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.

The Vice of Crappy Moralism

Fake Noûs • 289 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  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.

Don't Shoot the Philosopher: Ethics and the Pursuit of Moral Integrity

Humanities in Revolt • 139 implied HN points • 02 Jul 22
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Ethics and morality are frequently confused, but they have distinct meanings and play vital roles in personal, social, and political contexts
  2. Philosophy through ethics challenges us to critically examine our moral beliefs and strive for intellectual integrity
  3. Thinking ethically requires addressing complex moral questions, confronting inconsistencies, and engaging in meaningful dialogue to enhance mutual understanding

Short Thoughts on "Getting It"

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Understanding and aligning with the shared 'it' within a group is crucial for individuals to navigate collective reality.
  2. Diverse interpretations of the same 'it' can lead to significant discord and fractures within groups.
  3. The concept of 'getting it' is dynamic and ever-evolving, requiring individuals to adapt their understanding to avoid becoming outdated.

The Vanishing Kingdom

Once Upon A News • 39 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
📚 Literature Morality
  1. A mysterious stranger brought prosperity to a kingdom in exchange for part of the king's soul.
  2. The newfound prosperity led to neglect of family bonds and a decline in the birth rate.
  3. To restore balance, the king made a sacrifice to regain harmony between work and family, realizing true prosperity comes from love and relationships.

Thinking self destructs

Douglass’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 23 May 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Three paths discussed: continue as we are, turn to hedonism, try a major shift to stop CO2 emissions.
  2. High tech and Gardenworld needed for the major shift to stop CO2.
  3. Human thought is limited by narrow concerns, leading to self-destructive behavior.