The hottest Philosophy Substack posts right now

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The Diderot Effect

The Ruffian • 589 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. The Diderot Effect shows how buying one nice thing can lead to buying more things to match it. It starts a cycle of wanting more to feel complete.
  2. Some people feel happier and more confident after purchases that change their self-image, like getting new clothes or undergoing cosmetic surgery. It's like opening a door to new possibilities.
  3. It's important to allow for different views and mix beliefs without trying to fit perfectly into popular identity groups. We can create our own unique perspectives instead of just following the crowd.

Tuesday Thread: How Do You Know When To Quit?

Culture Study • 2000 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. It's important to know when to quit something that isn't working for you. Sometimes, sticking it out can be a waste of time.
  2. You need to find a balance between perseverance and knowing when to let go. Each situation is different, so consider your feelings and results.
  3. Whether it's a book, a hobby, or a job, listen to your intuition. If you're unhappy, it might be time to move on.

Liber Ludens

Secretum Secretorum • 580 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Life can be seen as a game rather than just a series of problems. Embracing playfulness can lead to greater joy and creativity.
  2. The journey of understanding ourselves and the world is filled with ups and downs, and love often comes with challenges. It's through these experiences that we grow.
  3. Divine intervention or unexpected help can change everything. By being kind and surprising others, we can bring more love and light into the world.
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Songs on the Death of Children

Something to Consider • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Friedrich Rückert wrote hundreds of poems after losing his children, showing how deeply grief can affect a parent. It's a powerful reminder of how loss can inspire profound creativity.
  2. People in the past faced death more regularly, especially with children. It's important to recognize that they felt grief just as strongly as we do today.
  3. The loss of children is still a significant issue today, as illustrated by the high number of child deaths from preventable causes like malaria. It's crucial to address and care for these vulnerable lives.

Julius Evola's Preface to The Decline of the West

The Oswald Spengler Project • 1078 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Julius Evola's preface reflects on modernity, tradition, and the decline of aristocratic cultures.
  2. Evola critiques Spengler's concept of history as cyclical, emphasizing the idea of 'traditional man' and ahistorical civilizations.
  3. Spengler's work challenges the linear view of history, proposing that civilizations cycle through distinctive phases with unique characteristics and inevitable declines.

One AGI or many?

AI Supremacy • 609 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Philosophy
  1. The post discusses the debate on whether there should be one AGI or multiple AGIs.
  2. The publication explores themes like the Future of Work, AGI, and OpenAI's development.
  3. There is an invitation to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access more content on AI Supremacy.

Hidden Open Thread 387.5

Astral Codex Ten • 619 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. This is a space for paid subscribers to share and discuss ideas. It's a way for members to connect with each other.
  2. Open threads allow for a variety of topics to be discussed freely. People can bring up anything on their minds.
  3. The thread is updated regularly, keeping discussions active and engaging for ongoing conversations.

Feminisation has consequences: III

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1041 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Feminisation in society leads to less solidarity, especially among women, with consequences for institutions.
  2. Increasing female participation in organizations can change emotional and social dynamics, not always for the better.
  3. Corrosive effects of feminisation can lead to social collapse or a shift towards more male-dominated solutions.

Thinking Books

The Biblioracle Recommends • 1041 implied HN points • 21 May 23
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Thinking about thinking and the value of engaging in purposeful thought is important for personal growth and creativity.
  2. Writing a book proposal can help to clarify thoughts and ideas, even if the book may not come to fruition.
  3. Reading books that make you think and reflect, such as those exploring spirituality, education, and creativity, can be a valuable way to enhance your thinking process.

Perhaps We Expect Too Much of God

Mind & Mythos • 159 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. We often put too many demands on God, expecting Him to handle everything like a superhero. This can create unrealistic expectations that even an all-powerful being might find overwhelming.
  2. Just like a mother needs help at home, we should recognize that God doesn’t have to do everything alone. We should take more responsibility for our own lives and help out where we can.
  3. While it’s okay to hold God in high regard, we should balance our expectations with what is realistic. Understanding this can help us have a healthier relationship with faith.

Seek the desert and hear its voice

Jeff Giesea • 319 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. The desert symbolizes a place for deep reflection and self-discovery, helping individuals to gain wisdom. Spending time away from distractions can foster personal growth and understanding.
  2. Wisdom is important for navigating modern challenges, especially with advances in technology like AI. We need to combine technological progress with a focus on wisdom to ensure it serves humanity well.
  3. Institutions that promote wisdom, like Deep Springs College, show how education can blend hard work and learning. Investing in wisdom is crucial for developing future leaders who can guide society.

what we talk about when we talk about taste

bookbear express • 1739 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Taste is a personal expression, influenced by our unique experiences and thoughts. It's important to focus on what feels true to us rather than just following trends.
  2. To develop a genuine sense of style or taste, we need to look inward. Buying what's popular or expensive doesn't always lead to true self-expression.
  3. Creativity often comes from valuing low-status or less popular ideas. Being an artist means focusing on what you love, even if it's different from what others appreciate.

Up close & comfortable

gen yeet • 530 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Philosophy
  1. Close-listening to music can lead to newfound appreciation and discoveries.
  2. Art and relationships both open up new worlds of possibilities to explore.
  3. Understanding the significance of database logic and narrative in today's digital landscape.

The Art of Quitting

What Is Called Thinking? • 26 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Quitting can be wiser than clinging to past investment when staying on course only protects what you’ve already spent; recognizing sunk costs prevents commitment from becoming self-destructive.
  2. Whether quitting is right often depends on circumstances beyond you — a later discovery or another person’s insight can vindicate or refute your choice — so decisions are contextual, not absolute.
  3. There are two legitimate epistemic styles: one that tests and abandons theories when they fail, and one that holds strong convictions and seeks supporting interpretation; wisdom is choosing the right approach for the moment and avoiding when a virtue hardens into its opposite.

A spring bouquet

Austin Kleon • 1978 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Spring is a time of new beginnings and growth. It's a great season to reflect on how we can create and blossom in our own lives.
  2. The interplay of light and darkness is crucial for both plants and personal growth. Sometimes, it takes more than just light to flourish; we need time to thrive too.
  3. Understand which season you're in, whether it's creatively or in life. Recognizing your current phase can help you grow and move forward.

Formal and Dialectical Logic

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 319 implied HN points • 31 Mar 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. The post discusses the concept of "dialectical logic" and how it relates to the traditional logic taught in academia.
  2. The author shares their experiences of giving lectures and talks on philosophy and politics in different locations.
  3. The content is available for paid subscribers, providing more in-depth insights and discussions.

Do you have a nemesis?

Austin Kleon • 1438 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Having a nemesis can help us understand ourselves better. By comparing ourselves with someone else, we can see what makes our work unique.
  2. It's okay to feel envy towards others; it can actually be useful. This feeling can help us figure out what we want to achieve in our own work.
  3. Instead of letting envy pull us down, we can use it to motivate us. It's about turning those feelings into something positive that drives our creativity.

What we are losing; what we have lost

Brain Pizza • 1191 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philosophy
  1. We are losing touch with important aspects of our lives that used to matter a lot. It's like taking for granted things that shaped our experiences.
  2. The world feels like it's moving really fast nowadays, and it can be hard to keep up. This speed makes us miss even more of what we used to value.
  3. Reflecting on changes in our lives can help us understand what we've lost and might find ways to reconnect with those things. Taking a moment to think about it can be helpful.

First draft of a maxim

Disaffected Newsletter • 939 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philosophy
  1. It's important to clarify definitions before discussing disagreements. Often, people think they're disagreeing when they are just using different meanings for the same words.
  2. The author challenges the common views on 'isms' like homophobia and racism. They argue that not all criticisms labeled as these are actually rooted in hate or irrational fear.
  3. Many claims of 'ism' are seen as tools to silence opposing viewpoints, rather than genuine expressions of prejudice. The author believes these claims are often untrue or exaggerated.

Quant. & Lit.

Sucks to Suck • 982 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Western culture values youth culture, affecting perceptions of adulthood
  2. Exposure to rationalist thinking can challenge writing and argument clarity
  3. Creative work requires a balance between rationalism and subjectivity for valuable outcomes

Nadia Asparouhova on antimemetics, nuclear mysticism, and scrolling

The Generalist • 1320 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Some ideas spread slowly or not at all, which is something we don't talk about enough. It's different now with social media, where people often keep their best thoughts private to avoid backlash.
  2. Building relationships through patronage could be more beneficial than just relying on crowdfunding. It creates deeper connections and helps sustain valuable relationships in our lives.
  3. Scrolling through social media makes us lose focus and can lead to a poorer state of mind. It's important to be aware of how this constant distraction affects us.

The Scientific Case for Belief and the Religious Case for Science

What Is Called Thinking? • 66 implied HN points • 25 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. The universe is strikingly intelligible, mathematics maps physical reality in surprising ways, and humans feel a powerful need to understand — together these facts suggest the cosmos may have been made to be known.
  2. Purely evolutionary or materialist explanations struggle to account for the reach and trustworthiness of human reason, since survival needs don’t require deep abstract knowledge and if our beliefs are only physical products we have no clear reason to trust them.
  3. Science and religious insight can be compatible: investigating nature can be seen as listening to a rational order or Mind, so scientific inquiry can itself be a form of devotion rather than a rival to faith.

Does The Week Exist?

Castalia • 459 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Each day of the week feels different, and these feelings can be shaped by culture and personal experiences. For example, many people love Fridays for the weekend vibes, while Tuesdays might feel a bit dull.
  2. The seven-day week is quite arbitrary compared to other time units like days and months, yet it influences our energy and routines. There are also ideas that our ancestors connected these days to the planets, giving them unique qualities.
  3. Modern life, filled with screens and remote work, changes how we experience time. This makes it easier to blend work and leisure, allowing for a lifestyle where we can pursue what we enjoy more consistently.

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer's suicide

Subtle Digressions • 136 HN points • 08 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Leonard Cohen's song 'Hallelujah' took him years of struggle and creativity to write. Despite being so personal and deep, it was initially overlooked and rejected by the music industry.
  2. John Kennedy Toole's novel 'A Confederacy of Dunces' faced major rejections before it was finally published and won a Pulitzer Prize, highlighting how valuable work can be ignored until a proper champion finds it.
  3. Success for artists can depend a lot on luck and timing. Sometimes, a great song or book needs just the right person to recognize its worth to achieve success.

The Meek Warrior

Polymathic Being • 92 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Meekness isn’t weakness but strength under control, marked by humility and self-discipline.
  2. Being capable—physically and mentally—makes you dangerous in the right way and lets you protect others instead of creating risks.
  3. Aim to be a meek warrior: hone your skills, use power for moral ends, and help others become capable too.

Moloch in Therapy

The Joyous Struggle • 691 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. Moloch is a complex demonic figure invoked to represent negative outcomes from competitive logic and lack of imagination.
  2. Moloch reflects on his identity crisis and the misunderstanding surrounding him, seeking love and power but feeling the pain of his oppositional nature.
  3. Despite craving power, Moloch also longs for love and struggles with his role in resisting God, revealing a desire for maternal love and the ability to create.

An essay about a failed essay about failure

The Commonplace • 622 implied HN points • 26 May 25
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Writing about failure can be tough and might take away the joy of writing if not approached with the right mindset. It's important to not let the pressure to be clever ruin your passion.
  2. Failure is something everyone experiences, and it's okay to acknowledge it. It can teach us important lessons, especially when we learn to laugh at ourselves and the situation.
  3. Humility comes from recognizing our failures, but it should be approached carefully. It's not just about feeling small, but understanding our place in relation to others and the world.

Desiderata #13: links and commentary

The Intrinsic Perspective • 5621 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
📚 Literature Philosophy
  1. Energy drinks with taurine may extend lifespan, according to a recent study.
  2. Cormac McCarthy, a renowned novelist, has passed away, leaving a legacy in the literary world.
  3. The publishing world is buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming release of 'The World Behind the World' by Simon & Schuster.

The Year I Stopped Knowing, well, to Some Considerable Extent

Deep Fix • 550 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy
  1. In reflecting on their writing, the author discovered a blend of relative and absolute truths that coexist.
  2. The author shifted focus from seeking knowledge to embracing conscious experience through phenomenology.
  3. The author emphasized the importance of moving beyond psychedelics after receiving their transformational message, and now focuses on helping others understand it.

sunday memepool 2

bad cattitude • 108 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy
  1. Growing old can be a strange experience. It's important to embrace the changes that come with it.
  2. Internalizing life lessons helps us to navigate aging with more grace and understanding.
  3. Finding joy in the process of getting older can lead to a fulfilling life.

The plan for meta-rationality

Meaningness • 359 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🚌 Education Philosophy
  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.

Why RETVRN Is Not a Solution

Aaron Renn • 530 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philosophy
  1. The American right needs to focus more on looking forward than looking backward.
  2. The American right should have a future vision for the country.
  3. Effective altruism and faithful presence share similarities in justifying self-interested elite behavior.