The best Ethics newsletters

A newsletter of essays on technology, culture, and the moral life, drawing on literature, philosophy, and history. Readers get reflective critiques of AI discourse and modern technology, plus occasional archive reposts and a commonplace book of curated links and quotations.

Andy Masley's Substack-style blog mixes personal reflections on AI, aesthetics and culture with long philosophical arguments about whether machines can think and understand, plus essays defending effective altruism. Readers get carefully reasoned, first-person essays that explain his positions and the logic behind them.

A philosophy newsletter by a writer working in utilitarian and effective altruist circles, covering AI legal rights, insect and animal welfare, and defences of effective altruism. Readers get argumentative essays that take clear positions on contested ethics and culture-war questions.

Open to Debate is a nonpartisan nonprofit that hosts weekly debates on contentious issues, aiming to restore critical thinking and civility to public discourse. Its newsletter shares debate clips, transcripts, and summaries, such as the recent debate on whether extinct animals should be brought back to life.

A weekly newsletter from Tricycle magazine that curates three Buddhist teachings around a single everyday theme, such as lying, racing thoughts or jealousy. Each issue introduces the theme and links to articles, excerpts and talks from teachers across Buddhist traditions.

A Substack literary magazine that publishes a weekly philosophy and ethics-themed short story, along with reader polls, commentary from a resident philosopher, and author Q&As. It aims to give classrooms, book clubs and families material for discussion.

A personal newsletter by Courtney Martin exploring how to live and parent ethically and joyfully amid difficult times. It mixes author interviews, cultural recommendations and short curated 'Sunday 5' lists of things she loved that week.

Abigail's personal Substack mixes first-person anecdotes with philosophical argument, examining moral intuitions around the Cornell case, dating, and Jewish holidays. Each essay makes a clear claim and draws on thinkers like Peter Singer and Ayn Rand.

Alex O'Connor's newsletter announces new episodes of the Within Reason podcast, with short write-ups of guest conversations on philosophy, religion and science. It also carries creator updates such as award voting and tour ticket information.