The hottest Political Philosophy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

A Better Model of Political Categories

The Upheaval • 630 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Philosophy Conservatism Progressivism
  1. Consider the political landscape beyond just Left vs. Right and explore other categories like Right-Wing Progressives for a more comprehensive understanding.
  2. Challenge traditional frameworks like the four-quadrant political compass and explore models that acknowledge the nuances and complexities of political ideologies.
  3. Think about political personality types using multiple axes/spectrums to represent the diverse nature of political beliefs, moving away from simple, misleading charts.

A newsletter of despair

Striking 13 • 3234 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Humanitarian Antisemitism Political Philosophy
  1. It's vital to acknowledge the suffering of others, even when we feel safe and distant from conflicts around the world.
  2. In times of conflict, it's crucial to avoid falling into the trap of dehumanizing the 'other side' and making moral calculations about whose lives matter more.
  3. Seeking solutions in complex conflicts means embracing moral complexities, questioning binary thinking, and striving for practical, realistic steps towards peace.

Irrepressible liberalism: the philosophy of Gerald Gaus

Hypertext • 159 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Liberalism Public Reason Political Philosophy
  1. Gerald Gaus emphasized the importance of optimism and confidence in defending liberalism, even in challenging times with populist threats.
  2. Gaus's philosophy focused on bottom-up moral reasoning and the idea that a diverse society can find common ground through emergent order.
  3. He advocated for extensive individual freedom as essential for the survival of an open society, and highlighted the significance of incrementalism and learning-based governance in policymaking.
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My Own Private Energy Crisis

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 881 implied HN points • 29 May 23
📖 Philosophy Metaphysics Ethics Political Philosophy Epistemology Aesthetics
  1. When traveling by airplane, we ignore the risks we know are there, which reflects our ability to overlook inherent dangers in pursuit of convenience.
  2. The sense of class, wealth, and comfort among individuals varies, influencing their attitudes towards success and societal norms.
  3. The modern lifestyle involves navigating through ideological and moral contradictions, from energy consumption to personal choices, which can lead to reflections on societal values and personal actions.

The Continuing Relevance of Adam Smith's "Man of System"

Knowledge Problem • 137 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Morality Epistemology Political Philosophy Ethics
  1. Adam Smith criticizes interventionist approaches in government that disregard individual preferences and autonomy.
  2. Smith highlights the knowledge problem, emphasizing that individuals have unique preferences and societal systems cannot easily override them.
  3. The 'man of system' imposes his ideals regardless of objections, whereas Smith's analyses focus on systems where participation is voluntary and based on mutual agreement.

"Leave Us Alone" as a Political Philosophy

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 373 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Political Philosophy Freedom Rights Constitution
  1. Early Americans created a government to protect individual rights and promote freedom
  2. The political philosophy of post-founding America aimed for self-government and minimal government intervention
  3. Antebellum Americans believed in leaving individuals alone, minimal government regulation, and wealth redistribution was seen as immoral

"I am so tasteless as to prefer a Republic"

Study Marry Kill • 196 implied HN points • 06 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Philosophy Founding Fathers Political Events
  1. John Adams preferred a Republic over Monarchy for producing strength, courage, and hardiness.
  2. He believed a Republic required public virtue and simplicity of manners, which could be challenging due to corruption and venality.
  3. Adams highlighted the importance of virtue in promoting human happiness and the potential challenges of maintaining a Republic amidst prevailing vices like servility and flattery.

Hayek Helps Us Understand Why People Are Losing Their Minds

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 34 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Political Philosophy Ethics
  1. F.A. Hayek's 'The Fatal Conceit' helps us understand how reason is not the cause but a product of civilization.
  2. Reason does not exist separately from our social environment, impacting our ability to resist tyranny.
  3. Humanity's evolution and civilization were shaped by following rules and morality, not by mere intellect or socialist ideals.

Liberal morality needs liberal mythology

Hypertext • 0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Political Philosophy Epistemology Culture History Rhetoric
  1. Liberal morality requires liberal mythology to shape political leadership and intellectual life.
  2. Acknowledging the importance of persuasive storytelling and civic myth-making in open societies is crucial for public justification and promotion of liberalism.
  3. Creating and sustaining genuinely pluralistic and open societies require proactive engagement, creative leadership, and the inclusion of diverse cultural narratives.