The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Tormented by an Urn

rachaelmeager • 535 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. The Polya urn model, though simple at first glance, reveals the complexity of statistics and emphasizes the importance of understanding problems deeply before attempting to solve them.
  2. Teaching and learning in math are not just about facts; they require creativity and passion to engage students, much like how poets perceive deeper meanings in their art.
  3. There is a strong connection between the arts and sciences, where both disciplines can benefit from understanding each other, and students should learn foundational concepts in both to grasp the complexities of the world.

What is Plagiarism?

Classical Wisdom • 1552 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. Plagiarism is a serious issue in academia and has led to high-profile scandals.
  2. The concept of plagiarism has ancient roots, dating back to Roman times.
  3. The debate over plagiarism raises questions about originality and the balance between forming our own ideas and drawing inspiration from others.

Do You Listen Well?

Classical Wisdom • 2555 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. Listening well is an important skill in any interaction, whether with family, friends, or strangers.
  2. Plutarch highlighted the different types of listeners, including selective listeners, disapproving listeners, and over-confident listeners.
  3. Plutarch emphasized that learning is a collaborative process between the speaker and the listener, requiring active participation and critical thinking from both parties.
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Coming Unstuck. Laughing at the Wrong Things

Letters from Suzanne • 1395 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Accepting and embracing feeling stuck can lead to feeling better and eventually getting unstuck.
  2. Finding joy in small things, like children's jokes, can be a source of happiness during tough times.
  3. Humor and laughter are important for mental well-being, and it's okay to find different things funny than others.

The stone walls of Ireland and human insight

The Leap • 299 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The stone walls of Ireland reflect human creativity and resilience. They show how people adapt and use local materials to build something lasting.
  2. The idea of spontaneous human insight is important. Sometimes, communities naturally find solutions to problems without needing a formal process.
  3. Traveling can offer new perspectives. Exploring different places, like the hills of Ireland, can inspire deep thoughts and insights about life.

You don't need a vision

Austin Kleon • 3457 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. You don't always need a clear vision for your future; sometimes it's okay to go with the flow. Life can be unpredictable, and paths can change in unexpected ways.
  2. Focusing too much on a specific vision can limit your perspective and keep you stuck in the past. It's important to stay open to new possibilities and experiences.
  3. While having a vision can be motivating for some, others may find inspiration in exploring their interests and passions without a set end goal. Enjoy the journey and see where it leads.

Coleman Hughes: I Just Did Therapy in Public

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1354 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. There are four desires that can lead people off track: power, wealth, pleasure, and honor. Focusing too much on any of these can harm your life.
  2. Self-reflection is important, and sometimes we need to ask ourselves what we truly value. This can lead to better understanding and happiness.
  3. Therapy can be helpful for specific issues, but doing it in a group or public setting can bring different insights and challenges. It’s about connecting deeply with our thoughts and feelings.

Inside my commonplace diary

Austin Kleon • 5155 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Keeping a commonplace diary is a fun way to collect quotes and thoughts. Instead of writing about daily life, you can enjoy capturing interesting things you hear or read.
  2. Over time, a commonplace diary can reveal themes and connections between quotes, making it a creative project. It can even help inspire new writing pieces or ideas.
  3. Writing things down by hand helps you remember them better, and it feels like a little adventure in time. Looking back at your quotes can bring back memories and show how your thoughts have grown.

What aphantasia can teach us about episodic memory

The Memory Palace • 39 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
🔬 Science Philosophy
  1. Aphantasia is a condition where people can't create mental images, making it hard for them to recall personal memories. They might not feel like they're reliving past events like others do.
  2. Research shows that people with aphantasia can still remember facts and details, but they use different strategies. They rely more on their understanding and experiences rather than visualizing things.
  3. Aphantasia challenges our notion of memory. It suggests that memory isn't just about visual details; it includes feelings and experiences too, which can be important for how we recall our past.

Tom Holland on How Christianity Remade the World

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3482 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Christianity has had a huge influence on the Western world, shaping many ideas and values we hold today.
  2. Despite differing beliefs about specific miracles, the message of Jesus is recognized as incredibly powerful and enduring.
  3. Within just a few centuries, Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire, showing its rapid spread and acceptance.

The Battle Between The Inner Life and The Outer Life

Sparks from Culture by David Roberts • 1179 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Modern American capitalism has constrained many lives, leading to angst and a pursuit of more slow-paced lives.
  2. E.M. Forster's 'Howards End' explores the conflict between inner and outer ways of life, highlighting the impact of capitalism on personal relations and daily duties.
  3. There is resistance to hyper-capitalism in modern America, with a growing push for a slower life, nature, and emphasis on inner values.

Goethe and Faust for a New Age

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 3167 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. J.R.R. Tolkien might be compared to Goethe due to their deep knowledge and the large, influential works they created. Both men built complex worlds in their writings that resonate with deeply human themes.
  2. Tolkien's character Elendil is seen as a modern hero similar to Aeneas, embodying survival, duty, and the preservation of culture. Both characters face the challenge of keeping their people's traditions alive in the wake of disaster.
  3. Tolkien's influence goes beyond literature; it is shaping political movements today. His themes of resilience and tradition are resonating with various groups, especially in Italy and among certain political factions in the U.S.

Engineering Liveness

Breaking Smart • 50 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. A 'useless machine' models a kind of liveness: things that exist to control their own state and resist being captured or made to serve external purposes.
  2. New Nature will look like a technological tangled bank — messy, competitive, and often secretly violent — so rewilding civilization means accepting risk, death, and illegible forms of competitiveness instead of sanitised spectacle.
  3. Liveness means reserving resources for self‑continuation and choosing to exist without proving usefulness; it’s about playing the infinite game and resisting being absorbed into finite goals.

Things Worth Remembering: ‘Endurance Comes Only from Enduring’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1270 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Czesław Miłosz was a famous Polish poet who moved to California, finding both beauty and alienation in his new home. His letters show how he felt amazed and conflicted about the landscape and culture around him.
  2. He lived in California longer than he did anywhere else, making it a special and significant place in his life. It became a refuge for him after experiencing two world wars and the Holocaust.
  3. Miłosz was recognized for his bravery during the Holocaust, as he helped save Jewish lives. This history deeply influenced his poetry and life as a whole.

Entering into the spirit

Austin Kleon • 1998 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. To really enjoy something, it's important to let go and surrender to it. When we enter into the spirit of an activity, we can connect deeply and get more out of it.
  2. Creative blocks often come from trying too hard to control the process. Instead of forcing things, letting go and being open can help overcome these blocks.
  3. Finding joy in creative work is about embracing the experience. When we engage fully, we unlock a world of inspiration that can be missed when we stay distant.

Where the Magic Doesn’t Happen

After Babel • 3133 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Technology can make personal development harder. Instead of helping kids grow and learn, instant access to things distracts them from meaningful experiences.
  2. Magic, or instant and effortless results, should not be in places where kids learn and grow. Schools, homes, and churches need to avoid tech that takes away from real relationships and hard work.
  3. Even a short break from screens can help families reconnect. When tech is removed, people quickly find joy in being together and engaging in real life.

Welcome to my words

Technohumanism • 139 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Connecting art and science is important to understand human experiences and creativity. Both play a role in helping us find meaning in our lives.
  2. The author has a diverse background in journalism and tech, sharing unique stories and insights from various industries. Their experiences aim to bring a fresh perspective on complex topics.
  3. The aim of this Substack is to explore intriguing ideas and offer guidance about navigating the changing world, especially in relation to technology and its impact on society.

Northern Courage

Becoming Noble • 2132 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Northern Courage is the concept of unyielding will and courage in the face of certain defeat, drawn from Norse mythology and Tolkien's works.
  2. Spengler's pessimistic view of history as a series of declines and falls contrasts with Tolkien's belief in a 'long defeat' with glimpses of final victory.
  3. Tolkien completes the virtue of Northern Courage with the idea of 'estel', a hopeful trust that stems from a deeper, transcendent belief, offering a path to heroic sacrifice without despair.

How to find your people

Austin Kleon • 4536 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Writing a blog post or making a video can help you connect with like-minded people. It’s a way to find your community.
  2. Keeping a diary or journal can be a great way to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. It's nice to have a collection of other people's diaries to read too.
  3. Books can be more fun if we think of them as toys. Instead of just reading them, we can enjoy them in a playful way.

Culture Links, 11/20/2025

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Humans have developed to form pair bonds and invest in their young, leading to smaller sex differences compared to other species. This means that both men and women know the importance of caring for their children.
  2. Taking time to think and reflect, like walking or spending time outdoors, can help improve our understanding and creativity. In today's fast-paced world, it's important to slow down and really think things through.
  3. New technologies change how we interact and think, often pushing us into more tribal mindsets. Social media can amplify these identities and lead to more division instead of unity.

Resist Summary

The Map is Mostly Water • 2942 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. We read too many summaries instead of diving deep into topics. This can make us miss the detailed understanding that comes from exploring original sources.
  2. Writing from your own experience and observations is important. It helps create richer and more interesting content than just summarizing others' ideas.
  3. Using AI for quick answers can simplify things, but it might prevent you from understanding complex ideas. Building a deeper understanding requires slow and careful thinking.

Charlie Munger

Buggy Humans in a Messy World • 1611 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💰 Finance Philosophy
  1. Charlie Munger emphasized rationality, judgment, and bluntness in his approach.
  2. He taught people not just how to invest, but also how to think critically.
  3. Munger's blunt honesty and ability to see through the facade of things made a lasting impact.

Events Schedule

Classical Wisdom • 1179 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  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.

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'.

To be everywhere is to be nowhere

Austin Kleon • 3557 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Being everywhere can make you feel lost and disconnected. It's better to focus on a few places or activities to have a more meaningful experience.
  2. Reading full books can be more enjoyable and informative than just scrolling through news or articles. They can give you a deeper understanding of a subject.
  3. It's important to support artists, whether through buying their music or attending events. This helps keep creativity alive in our communities.

Quitting the chocolate factory

Austin Kleon • 2118 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Sometimes, we can find ourselves doing work that doesn't feel right for us, like Charlie running the chocolate factory. It’s important to think about what truly makes us happy.
  2. Mid-life crises are common and can lead to big changes in our lives. Reflecting on our choices can help us make better decisions moving forward.
  3. Stories about characters facing big life choices, like Charlie and Peter Pan, can inspire us to evaluate our own paths and dreams.

LLMs Die Every Time You Close the Chat Window

The Algorithmic Bridge • 997 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. When you close a chat window with an AI, it forgets everything, like it never existed. This means that every time you reopen it, it's like starting from scratch.
  2. Humans experience memory and consciousness differently; when we sleep, we retain our memories and essence, while LLMs lose everything overnight.
  3. The mystery of dreams and consciousness in humans is still a big question, but it's clear that the way we perceive our identity is different from how AI operates.

Martin Gurri: What Does It Mean to Be a Man?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2290 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Men have always been seen as protectors and providers, expected to show courage and strength. This means that traditionally, a man's role is to defend what is valued in society.
  2. In today's world, the question of what men protect against has changed. Instead of physical dangers, it often involves more abstract threats like emotional well-being and societal issues.
  3. The role of men is evolving, reflecting a shift from direct physical protection to navigating modern complexities, where the state often takes on the responsibility for basic needs like food and safety.

Turing's Yearning, Part 1

Technohumanism • 99 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. Alan Turing's foundational paper on artificial intelligence is often overlooked in favor of its famous concepts like the Turing Test. It's filled with strange ideas and a deep human yearning for understanding machines.
  2. The idea behind the Turing Test, where a computer tricks someone into thinking it's human, raises questions about what intelligence really is. Is being able to imitate intelligence the same as actually being intelligent?
  3. Turing's paper includes surprising claims and combines brilliant insights with odd assertions. It reflects his complicated thoughts on machines and intelligence, showing a deeper human story that resonates today.

Think Less, Agnes

Freddie deBoer • 11726 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The article discusses the tendency to overthink and intellectualize everyday experiences.
  2. It critiques the author's perception of love and relationships based on overly philosophical ideals.
  3. The text challenges the notion of profoundness in experiences and questions the need for such intellectualization.

The Cat in the Tree: Why AI Content Leaves Us Cold

The Convivial Society • 2628 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. AI-generated content can be technically impressive but often feels dull and forgettable to many people. It lacks the emotional warmth that comes from human creativity.
  2. Unexpected discoveries, like finding a charming painting in nature, can bring genuine delight and a sense of connection. This feeling of surprise adds value to human-made art.
  3. The essence of art lies in human intention and presence. Simple acts of creativity can create a sense of companionship and joy, forming connections in a lonely world.

Being and Nothing

Egg Report • 1100 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Evil is the absence of existence, turning something into nothing.
  2. Evil is marked by an insatiable hunger and inability to be satisfied.
  3. Evil corrupts because it is fundamentally paradoxical and cannot truly be.