Scott Alexander examines the rise and fall of Hegel's philosophical influence, contrasting his 19th-century dominance with modern dismissals, and considers the implications for philosophy and Hegel's lasting impact on modern thought. Longer summary

This post explores the phenomenon of Hegel's philosophy, its historical dominance, and subsequent fall from grace. Scott Alexander discusses how Hegel was incredibly influential throughout the 19th century, dominating philosophical thought in Germany, England, and America. However, modern opinions of Hegel are often dismissive, with many philosophers and thinkers criticizing his work as obscure and nonsensical. The post then reflects on what this dramatic shift in perception might mean for philosophy and intellectual progress. It concludes by considering how Hegelian ideas might still influence modern thought, particularly in concepts of human progress and New Age philosophies. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines his sudden shift towards conservatism, proposing it may be part of a broader trend of intellectuals differentiating themselves from mainstream leftism. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the concept of fashion and political beliefs using a cellular automaton model, then reflects on his sudden shift towards conservatism. He proposes that this shift might be due to a counter-signaling hierarchy, where intellectuals differentiate themselves from mainstream leftism by adopting more conservative or libertarian views. The post discusses various potential explanations for this shift, including stress, exposure to neoreactionary ideas, and a desire to avoid being associated with certain leftist positions. Scott concludes by hoping that this pendulum-like movement between political positions might lead to gradual learning and improvement over time. Shorter summary