The hottest Morality Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Useful Utility: Accounting for Taste (Part 2)

reedmolbak • 19 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Moral philosophy can be based on individual tastes rather than universal principles, leading to ethical decisions rooted in personal preferences.
  2. Conflicts in tastes are common, and ethical choices involve recognizing and balancing personal preferences, whether altruistic or self-centered.
  3. Utilitarianism suggests evaluating and prioritizing individual tastes to make decisions that best satisfy personal desires and goals.

Throwing People Out Windows in the Time of the Plague

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

Can Morality Be Quantified?

The Grey Matter • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Quantification in morality is a useful framework for decision-making, not a literal truth.
  2. Money is a valuable tool for quantification, but it has limitations in capturing all aspects of value.
  3. Quantification, like valuing a statistical human life, helps systemize decision-making, but it has practical limits and should be used as a tool wisely.
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Moral breadth

Philosophy bear • 107 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Seeing people with moral breadth means understanding they can be both good and bad.
  2. Not acknowledging moral breadth can lead to negative consequences like overlooking bad behavior.
  3. Balancing moral breadth involves recognizing both the good and bad in people, without minimizing either.

"Child of God" (Cormac McCarthy)

Outsider Art • 19 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📚 Literature Morality
  1. Sevier County is described as a forgotten corner of America, peopled by grotesque characters like Lester Ballard.
  2. Lester Ballard, the central figure in the story, is portrayed as cunning and resourceful, living on the fringes of society in seclusion.
  3. The novel suggests that the darker aspects of human nature, as exemplified by Ballard, are inherent and timeless, rather than products of specific circumstances.

The internet amnesty: A proposal

Philosophy bear • 92 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. In the internet age, mistakes from the past can resurface easily and damage reputations.
  2. Consider implementing a blanket amnesty policy for past actions, unless they are severe.
  3. Finding the balance in setting a bar for wrongdoings is crucial in dealing with online reputation issues.

Building the Society We Want

Never Met a Science • 88 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Morality
  1. Social media has greatly influenced society and its bans would bring rapid change.
  2. Technology developments must be considered with an understanding of values, tools, and actions in achieving societal goals.
  3. Lessons from historical movements like Romanticism and Ecology can guide discussions on technology and society today.

Property Rights Are All in Your Head – Part I

Living Fossils • 28 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Love Your Enemies

Based Meditations • 19 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Enemies are not just human-made, but also a fundamental force of nature due to competition for survival and resources.
  2. Embracing and understanding enemies can lead to personal growth and motivation, culminating in greatness.
  3. Conflict and competition, even with enemies, can lead to creativity, abundance, and mutualistic relationships, showcasing the importance of both love and hate in life.

The Parable of the Three Managers

Throwable • 19 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. Struggling teams may require sacrifices and solutions to improve their performance.
  2. Different managers made sacrifices - time, dignity, and friendships - to ease their team's struggles.
  3. The story emphasizes the consequences and outcomes of sacrifices made in leadership roles.

No passive genocide

Philosophy bear • 114 implied HN points • 14 May 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Self-defense requires direct actions, not just erratic behavior.
  2. Using excessive force can weaken a self-defense argument.
  3. Supporting actions that indirectly cause harm raises ethical concerns.

To see clearly with universal indifference

Meaningful Particulars • 65 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The ego, while well-meaning, often leads to negative emotions like fear, anxiety, and criticism by exaggerating threats that no longer exist.
  2. Eastern traditions suggest silencing the ego by giving up worldly desires, while Western traditions propose 'unselfing' to gain a clearer understanding of reality.
  3. Artists, unlike the Buddhist advice to detach, become deeply involved in their work, showing that greater participation and attachment to reality can lead to a clearer perspective beyond the self.

This is the New Real World

Breaking Smart • 83 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The 'real' world we live in is a collection of only a few dozen significant worlds that shape our lives.
  2. Not all individual worlds are consequential in shaping the real world - only a few hundred are significant.
  3. The real world is not necessarily more real than private fantasies, but it is vastly more consequential.

Why Are We The Way We Are?

The Prism • 86 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Intelligence does not always lead to pursuing intelligent goals.
  2. Having a PhD does not guarantee being right; it can just mean being skilled at being wrong.
  3. Humans evolved to be tribal, which can lead to polarization online in the Digital Age.

Looking Into a Mirror

Polymathic Being • 68 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. People often project their own behaviors and beliefs onto others, leading to misunderstandings in conversations.
  2. Understanding that others may be reacting based on their own fears or insecurities can help you navigate and contextualize online arguments.
  3. By reflecting on your own tendencies and biases, you can improve empathy, communication, and ultimately influence others positively.

Such Times.

Trying to Understand the World • 8 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Evil is often downplayed today, making it hard for us to recognize real threats. We need to understand what true evil looks like to make better moral decisions.
  2. Our society today lacks the experiences and frameworks that helped people deal with crises in the past. People were more prepared for tough times, while we might struggle when faced with serious challenges.
  3. Contemporary leaders and societies may react unpredictably in crises. We could face chaos or dangerous decisions if we can't comprehend new threats or moral complexities.

France's Hunting Dilemma

Integrity Talk • 66 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Hunting's popularity has decreased in developed countries, but France still has a significant number of active hunters.
  2. Western societies have grown more hostile towards hunting due to societal shifts and increased sensitivity towards animal welfare.
  3. The perception of animal suffering varies depending on the category of animals, leading to inconsistencies in attitudes towards hunting.

The Morality Paradox

Who is Robert Malone • 18 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  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.

Real Morality?

Orbis Tertius • 71 implied HN points • 29 May 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Morality can be viewed as a decision-support system, not an absolute truth.
  2. Mathematics is a created formal system based on chosen axioms.
  3. In both math and morality, the axioms chosen shape the system and guide evaluations.

Hitler's jig and two types of people

Philosophy bear • 64 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. There is a divide between people who react calmly to controversial statements and those who get upset or angry.
  2. The case of Hitler's jig can be a test to learn more about people's tolerance and reactions to provocative ideas.
  3. Engaging in discussions about challenging topics can reveal different thinking styles and levels of openness.

Ten Commandments for Our Time

Skeptic • 51 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. A science-based morality allows for correction and improvement.
  2. Moral values should consider others and be subject to empirical inquiry and rational analysis.
  3. Key moral principles include fairness, liberty, and seeking happiness with others' happiness in mind.

Good Lessons from Bad Men

Castles in the Sky • 52 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🎭️ Culture Morality
  1. Gangster movies can offer lessons on being a better man and person, despite the characters' flaws.
  2. Being a good man involves being a protector and provider, different from just being a good person.
  3. Contrasts in character arcs in gangster movies highlight the distinction between being a bad person and a bad man.

How Many Fucks Should Be Given, and About Whom?

I Might Be Wrong • 9 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

The Holy Fool

Unverified Revelations • 42 implied HN points • 08 May 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. The holy fool is a political archetype who confronts society's moral values without concern for status or effectiveness.
  2. Holy fools are powerful because they challenge the status quo and are willing to pay external costs for internal coherence.
  3. There are false fools who mimic the holy fool's outward appearance but lack the genuine commitment and self-consistency.

Nature's alleged immorality

Meaningful Particulars • 32 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Modern moral philosophy often contrasts with ancient ethical theories.
  2. There is a lack of consensus on the definition and basis of morality among intellectuals.
  3. Science may not be able to fully explain or define morality due to inherent value judgments and normative claims.

Introducing: The Pole | #0

The Pole • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 22
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Truth is what's consistent with reality, and knowledge is the relevant, useful part of truth that helps us understand and better ourselves.
  2. Making mistakes is inevitable, but learning from them can lead to positive outcomes like saving time, making money, and achieving great things.
  3. The Pole newsletter aims to explore self-awareness, game theory, investing, engineering, and more to help readers understand how to obtain good results.

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The Other Side of Fear • 5 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. As we get older, time seems to move faster because each moment is a smaller part of our lives. It's important to reflect on our experiences and keep learning.
  2. Moral courage and physical strength are essential. They help us make the right choices in hard situations and protect ourselves and others when needed.
  3. Life is full of choices, and one bad decision can have serious consequences. It's vital to recognize the time we have with loved ones and prioritize our health and relationships.

Will Ems Read the Bible?

a newsletter for infovores. • 13 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Morality
  1. The discussion explores the potential moral responsibilities towards AI and ems.
  2. There is a consideration about the influence of the Bible on future ems and the possibility of them developing alternative belief systems.
  3. The importance of considering ethical guidelines for the treatment and support of AI and ems is highlighted.

Josef Mengele Broke Reality

Square Circle • 11 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Josef Mengele committed horrifying acts of evil in the name of 'research'.
  2. Mengele's actions defy naturalistic explanations, showing depth of evil beyond the physical world.
  3. His atrocities challenge us to confront the existence of metaphysical evil and the need for a higher moral elevation.

Bulletin from the Shark Tank

Charles Eisenstein • 9 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Morality
  1. Mob morality involves conforming to prevailing designations and joining in the execution of out-groups.
  2. Accusations of dehumanization are powerful tools used in politics to ostracize individuals.
  3. The antidote to mob morality is recognizing and respecting the full humanity of every individual.