The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Writing Is a Bad Habit

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 915 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Writing Literature Philosophy Culture Education
  1. The author believes writing is not a lifestyle to be celebrated, but rather a bad habit.
  2. They express frustration with the cultural recursion and excessive focus on writing within platforms like Substack.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of conveying a unique sensibility through writing rather than focusing on writing rituals and advice.

Weekend Roundup

Classical Wisdom • 1120 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. There is a live event on January 23rd discussing the life and legacy of Marcus Aurelius.
  2. The event includes well-known speakers like Donald Robertson and Angie Hobbs.
  3. Attendees have a chance to win a copy of Donald Robertson's book 'Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor'.

Events Schedule

Classical Wisdom • 1179 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Events
  1. Wednesday's live discussion on Plagiarism starts at 2:00pm EST.
  2. Exciting upcoming events on different topics like Marcus Aurelius and Philosophy for Children.
  3. Register in advance to receive event recordings even if you can't join live.

Teach us to Care and not to Care

The Joyous Struggle • 632 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Spirituality Faith Beliefs Philosophy
  1. On Ash Wednesday, the reminder of mortality through rituals like smudging ash can help us embrace the impermanence of life
  2. It's important to reflect on what truly matters in life, learning to care deeply about important things while also letting go of what is not worth our attention
  3. Exploring different spiritual paths and beliefs can be a lifelong journey of self-discovery and understanding
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The plan for meta-rationality

Meaningness • 359 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Science Fiction Literature Health & Wellness
  1. The book being written focuses on meta-rationality, with previous parts discussing rationalism and reasonableness.
  2. The author plans to release the book in separate paperbacks/Kindle editions before putting it online for free.
  3. The concept of meta-rationality emphasizes caring for the situation more than abstractions, questioning what the situation needs, and understanding when rationality is relevant.

The Naked Potential of 2024: Democracy, Chaos and Creativity

rebelwisdom • 1002 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Politics Philosophy Art Spirituality Science
  1. 2024 is a year with significant democratic elections worldwide, highlighting a growing apathy and distrust in the democratic process.
  2. The tension between centralized control and decentralized, regenerative movements is intensifying, leading to a clash of ideologies and perspectives in society.
  3. There is a growing movement towards seeking new ways of being and thinking, challenging existing structures and norms in society.

Intro to Economic Life 1: Creatures on a Planet

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 410 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🚌 Education Economics Philosophy History Environment Political
  1. The economy is not separate from the planet, but rather a part of it, with everything deriving from the ecological systems of Earth. This interconnectedness should be a foundational element of economic analysis.
  2. Products we see as separate entities are actually collections of human labor and resources from the planet, with objects being made up of multiple acts of labor combined with natural elements like sunlight, air, water, and food.
  3. The illusion of separation in the economy can hide exploitative practices and hinder our ability to make informed decisions, leading to disconnection, confusion, and alienation. Understanding these interconnected processes is crucial to developing a holistic view of the economy.

Modern heists, Wikipedia porn and bygone tickets

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 658 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Music Media Writing Internet
  1. Forcing ourselves to be constantly engaged with podcasts and media might be hindering our ability to have independent thoughts.
  2. Our constant consumption of content may lead to a passive existence where we are not actively choosing what we listen to, limiting our experiences.
  3. Reflecting on the impact of modern technologies like QR codes in theaters can help us appreciate the changes in our daily interactions and the loss of physical records.

Anti-Communism and 20th-century Economics

In My Tribe • 865 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🚌 Education Economics History Philosophy Sociology Government
  1. Great economists of the 20th century were motivated by the conflict between capitalism and communism.
  2. There was a trade-off between freedom and economic pain, with differing views on how to handle it.
  3. The focus of 21st century intellectuals has shifted to issues like climate change and terrorism, moving away from the economic debates of the past.

God And Gödel

Daily Dreher • 904 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Philosophy
  1. The post discusses Kurt Gödel, a famous mathematician and logician, and his belief in life after death.
  2. The post raises interesting questions about logic and philosophy through Gödel's perspective.
  3. The author encourages readers to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas.

READING: Alan Ryan on Isaiah Berlin on Karl Marx

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 207 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Isaiah Berlin's take on Karl Marx focused not just on Marx's life but also on his intellectual environment and impact on history.
  2. Berlin's writing style brought historical figures like Marx to life, balancing psychology and intellectual analysis skillfully.
  3. Marxism, as presented by Berlin, challenges the idea that ideas solely drive history, highlighting the complex relationship between individuals, their environment, and social change.

Creative Writing as Philosophy

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 622 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing Philosophy Pedagogy Imagination Fiction
  1. There can be a philosophy of whatever we intuitively imagine there can be a Form of, which is close to saying whatever is universal.
  2. Introducing a creative dimension into philosophy is urgent in an era where machines handle knowledge tasks, making it necessary to reconceive humanities as partly creative endeavors.
  3. Philosophy can also be seen as incitement of the imagination through creative means, presenting a valuable approach to understanding the world in different ways.

Vicki Victae

Fisted by Foucault • 236 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Philosophy US Politics Russia Satire
  1. The Seventh Seal is a timeless movie loved for its themes of good and evil, faith and reason, and more, making it a perfect film.
  2. Death in The Seventh Seal is portrayed as a character that awaits no one, honest in his fatalistic inevitability.
  3. Victoria Nuland, a serious figure, symbolizes a US Empire focus on a Trotskyite jihad against Russia throughout her career.

The 13 New Books to Expand Your Mind in 2023

Granted • 7906 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
📚 Literature Fiction Self-help Philosophy Nonfiction Motivation
  1. Tim Urban's book 'What's Our Problem?' offers insightful analysis on societal issues and how to combat polarization and tribalism.
  2. Nedra Glover Tawwab's 'Drama Free' provides valuable advice on handling family relationships, emphasizing the importance of mental health in families.
  3. Bill Hammack's 'The Things We Make' unravels the engineering behind human masterpieces, making engineering concepts accessible even for those who don't love math.

Hatching the Cosmic Egg (Hymn to Dionysus) (BOP #4)

Secretum Secretorum • 681 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Philosophy Religion Beliefs
  1. In the beginning was the Egg: The Orphic Egg contains the primordial deity Phanes, from whom other gods emerged.
  2. A future with AI: Consider the potential dangers and benefits of creating a superintelligent AI.
  3. Balancing Apollo and Dionysus: Avoid the pitfalls of controlling what cannot be controlled, like a god-inspired AI.

Who is a scientist?

Science Forever • 338 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🔬 Science Diversity Philosophy Collaboration Policy Education
  1. Recognizing and valuing collaboration between Western and indigenous scientists is essential in making groundbreaking discoveries.
  2. The definition of a scientist can vary from narrow to broad, but ultimately, anyone contributing to the scientific enterprise is considered a scientist.
  3. Being a scientist is not limited to just lab work; it encompasses various roles like science policy, communication, illustration, and education.

Best of the Best: Year End Awards

Range Widely • 1002 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Philosophy Science History Art & Illustration
  1. The awards featured various categories like Best Quote for One's Own Obituary and Best Nobel/Olympic Family.
  2. Interesting fact shared about the empty space in atoms: if atom nucleus was the size of a tennis ball, the electron would be orbiting in New Jersey.
  3. Fascinating insights on different topics, from Saxon riddles to Nobel Prize connections, were shared in the post.

The Insidious Lie That We Can’t Understand Each Other

After Babel • 2074 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Politics Identity Empathy Solidarity
  1. Identity trap ideologies suggest we can't understand each other, but it's important to challenge this notion.
  2. Standpoint theory emphasizes empathizing with oppressed groups, but it may not effectively guide political action.
  3. To argue against the identity trap, take concerns seriously, show why the ideology may fail, and propose a more noble path forward.

Two perspectives on the liberal arts and the humanities

Heterodox STEM • 199 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🚌 Education Humanities Literature Philosophy Classics
  1. Liberal arts education in the US may serve different purposes for elites and non-elites, with disparities in expectations and outcomes.
  2. Humanities education is seen as vital for a well-rounded education and understanding fundamental human questions and experiences.
  3. Reading classic literature may play a role in shaping perspectives and values, potentially reducing susceptibility to certain societal trends like 'wokeness'.

The Wood From Eden book recommendations page

Wood From Eden • 432 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Anthropology History Psychology Philosophy
  1. It's valuable to explore book recommendations even if you can't read them all from cover to cover.
  2. Readers can share book and film recommendations on specific categories on the Wood From Eden book recommendations page.
  3. The principle behind the recommendations page is to create a space for like-minded readers to share and discover new, interesting books and films.

Friday Thread: Can you become stronger at your broken places?

The Recovering Academic • 435 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Philosophy Individualism Aesthetics
  1. The path from academia to entrepreneurship can be filled with contradictions and tension, but owning and navigating them honestly can lead to growth and survival.
  2. Navigating modernity and its challenges may require reevaluating one's relationship with delight and joy, and finding ways to adapt and thrive amidst brokenness.
  3. Building bonds of reciprocal obligation with others might be a way to combat individualism, even in virtual spaces like LinkedIn and Zoom.

The Abyss

Becoming Noble • 1514 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief Philosophy Ethics Nihilism
  1. The idea of forming a warrior religion may be exciting, but it is essential to consider the flawed approach to truth, belief, action, and divinity.
  2. Religion should originate from a genuine encounter with the divine, rather than being artificially constructed for practical purposes.
  3. Seeking spiritual guidance solely from nature without a foundation in absolute Truth can lead to nihilism and a lack of transcendent orientation.

The Case Against (Most) Books

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 4657 implied HN points • 10 May 23
📚 Literature Philosophy History Fiction Science Politics
  1. Consider opportunity costs when deciding to read a book cover-to-cover versus shorter pieces like articles.
  2. Categories for books worth reading fully: history books, books of historical interest, and works by brilliant storytellers on important topics.
  3. Be cautious of valuing ancient writings for wisdom over modern insights; focus on gaining wisdom from a diverse range of sources, including contemporary writers.

Was the American Founding Revolutionary?

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 530 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History Philosophy Culture Faith & Spirituality Literature
  1. The American Founding was a revolution blending old and new elements in society.
  2. The Founding Fathers upheld a 'spirit of liberty' from the colonial period in building a new kind of society.
  3. American society saw radical change after the Founding, with a shift to individual rights and dynamic living.