The hottest Philosophers Substack posts right now

John Stuart Mill was an activist as much as an academic, fighting for women's rights and free speech.
Mill believed in the importance of free speech for pursuing truth and combining conflicting ideas.
Post-liberals criticize Mill, but misrepresent his views on liberalism, tradition, and custom.

The idea of the 'extended mind' suggests that our thinking isn't just in our brains; it includes tools and objects around us. For example, using a calculator isn't just a help; it's part of how we think.
The authors argue that relying on external objects, like notebooks or smartphones, can be essential for forming beliefs and ideas, similar to how we use our memories. This means our minds can extend into the world around us.
While some people disagree with this view, saying real thinking should only happen in our heads, the authors believe that our connections to our environment and the tools we use are important parts of how we think and behave.

King Thamus rejected writing as it could lead to forgetfulness
Western philosophy had a long history of skepticism towards writing
Different philosophers like Aristotle and Rousseau criticized writing as inferior to spoken word

Visiting historical philosophical sites can be like a secular pilgrimage.
Connecting with the past by physically being where influential thinkers once were can be profound.
Exploring ancient sites can deepen one's understanding and appreciation of philosophy.

Monotheism was a concept among pagan philosophers in antiquity, who believed in a single, superior God while acknowledging other lesser gods.
The worship of a monotheistic God, called God Most High, was widespread in Late Antiquity, with evidence found in multiple regions.
The origins of pagan monotheism were debated, with some scholars arguing for influences from Hellenistic philosophy, Roman religion, or independent evolution from local traditions.

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The post discusses the 'respectability' debate involving Plato, Kaczynski, Strauss, and Peter Thiel.
The conversation between Johann Kurtz and Brian C. Wilson emphasizes the idea of being less respectable.
The essay encourages support for the project by leaving likes or considering paid subscriptions.

The author has been studying humanist texts for the past decade.
The author created a personal Humanist Canon for studying Humanist thought.
The author will update the canon as they read and study more texts on the subject.

Financial philosopher Nassim Taleb started with a technical book on trading options.
Classical liberalism prioritizes individual liberties over democracy and majority rule.
Industrial agriculture practices can impact human health and raw dairy products may be easier on the gut.

Beliefs shape our worldview and personality, influencing how we perceive life and the future.
Historical figures like Galen and modern psychologists like Eysenck have contributed to our understanding of personality traits.
Primal World Beliefs can be categorized into three main beliefs: Safe vs. Dangerous, Enticing vs. Dull, and Alive vs. Mechanistic.

Different authors have different approaches when writing about philosophers. Some focus on the philosopher's life, while others emphasize their ideas and philosophies.
Biographies aim to show a person's uniqueness and complexity, which can be difficult because there’s so much detail in anyone's life to cover.
Understanding a philosopher's life can help connect their personal experiences to their ideas. A good biography should find a balance between storytelling and philosophical insight.

The post discusses the reimagined scene symbolizing Husserl and Wittgenstein's victory over post-structuralist thought.
The author integrates notions of semantic intention and private vs. public language into a comprehensive format.
The dialogue with ChatGPT-4 reveals the author's struggle with interface problems and the need for specific inquiry to achieve desired outcomes.