The hottest Value theory Substack posts right now

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The Dark Side of Perfectionism

Fake Noûs • 182 implied HN points • 14 Mar 26
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. Perfectionism can drive real excellence, but it also has a darker, self-destructive side that harms creativity and productivity.
  2. Unhealthy perfectionism shifts attention from the task to how success or failure reflects on you and demands that every new effort immediately outdo the last, which often leads to paralysis and avoidance.
  3. The remedy is realistic, incremental standards: accept mistakes as part of progress, keep working instead of waiting for effortless genius, and turn away from harsh self-judgment.

How to be less box-shaped

Overthinking Everything • 942 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. Scoring systems and metrics turn complex values into simple numbers, which helps comparison but tends to make everything converge and can replace the original purpose. Use self-chosen scores as playful, disposable goals so they don't capture your values.
  2. Modern scale rests on four bargains—mechanical rules, replaceable parts, centralized control, and scale—that grant power and reliability but sacrifice adaptability, specificity, autonomy, and context. Be aware of these trade-offs so you can choose when to accept their benefits and when to push back.
  3. Mechanical recipes and games are useful learning and coordination tools, but pairing different approaches and practicing improvisation preserves agency and variety. Start with clear rules, then learn to adapt or switch between them rather than treating any single method as the only right way.

Moral Knowledge

Fake Noûs • 436 implied HN points • 31 Jan 26
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. Moral knowledge is about how we can know what is good, bad, right, or wrong, and how our moral beliefs can be justified.
  2. The approach is rooted in ethical intuitionism, which holds that moral truths can be grasped directly by moral intuition.
  3. Knowledge is roughly a strong belief that is true and justified, and it must not be undermined by additional facts that would defeat the justification.

Overpriced Friends

Fake Noûs • 259 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. Many people overlook the kindness of their true friends and instead chase after the approval of those who don't appreciate them. This can make us unhappy and lead us to miss out on real connections.
  2. We often value things more if they seem hard to get. This 'Groucho Marx tendency' makes us think that easy friendships are somehow less valuable, which isn't true.
  3. Building strong friendships should focus on how well we connect, not on how hard it is to win someone over. Deep, meaningful relationships are the ones that truly matter.

A meaning of life

Philosophy bear • 57 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. Meaning isn’t just an abstract answer but a story you craft to present your values to yourself in an aesthetic and emotional way, so life feels purposeful and livable.
  2. The best human life mixes bliss, adventure, creativity, friendship, and deliberate struggle, and rich, responsive simulations (with real-seeming people) can help deliver those deeply felt experiences.
  3. We can and should work to reshape the world and ourselves toward an intelligently designed moral order—ending involuntary death and needless suffering, guiding evolution, and improving animal welfare—while preserving voluntary challenge and growth.
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Reflections on Ethical Vegetarianism, Part 2

Bet On It • 191 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. Many people find ethical vegetarian arguments hard to understand. This might be because philosophy can be tricky, and most people don't have great responses to common issues.
  2. Common sense really matters in philosophy. When people doubt basic ideas about the world, appealing to common sense can help clear up confusion.
  3. Eating meat and treating animals differently isn't seen as absurd to many people. It's okay to think this way, especially when there are bigger issues, like helping hungry humans.

The Revaluation of All Values, Part 4

Intimations of a New Worldview • 373 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. The will to power is a metaphysical doctrine similar to Heraclitus' Logos and Schopenhauer's primacy of the will.
  2. Nietzsche's will to power aims to promote and justify the flourishing of life, opposing pessimistic philosophies like Schopenhauer.
  3. The will to power is based on empirical findings in biology and psychology, generalizing to explain all aspects of life.

The Social Discount Rate is Plausibly Negative

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
đź“– Philosophy Value theory
  1. The social discount rate helps us understand how we value our current consumption compared to future consumption. A higher discount rate means we prefer to consume now rather than later.
  2. There are different views on the social discount rate. Some might prioritize current needs and want a high rate, while others might value future generations equally, leading to a zero rate.
  3. In decision-making about resources and moral issues, we should consider hypothetical people, as well as current people's needs. This broader perspective can change how we approach important social issues.