Vatsal’s Newsletter

Where Do Rights Come From?

From humans to rivers to corporations to AI, rights are best understood as organized obligations

Apr 7 • Vatsal

1

March 2026

Utilitarianism is Useful, But Not True

The best moral framework for public policy rests on a picture of reality that isn't actually real.

Mar 17 • Vatsal

5

1

Michael Huemer: Nature of Knowledge, Foundations of Morality

On the basis of knowledge, foundations of morality, naturalistic fallacy, and political authority

Mar 10 • Vatsal

4

1

57:56

January 2026

Review of Ross Douthat’s Believe

On contemporary apologetics, the comforts of modernity, and why better arguments may not revive religion

Jan 20 • Vatsal

1

1

Notes on Buddhism

On substance and self, impermanence and dissatisfaction, and the Four Noble Truths

Jan 8 • Vatsal

3

1

December 2025

The Inescapability of Altruism

On self-interest, benevolence, happiness, and why caring for others is part of caring for yourself

Dec 30, 2025 • Vatsal

3

1

1

Every Problem Is a Prediction Problem

On true belief and explanation, Popper and Deutsch, knowledge in AI, and the nature of understanding

Dec 23, 2025 • Vatsal

2

2

Can AI Have Free Will?

On entities and events, AI alignment, responsibility and control, and consciousness in machines.

Dec 16, 2025 • Vatsal

2

3

1

Solving the Trolley Problem and Other Moral Dilemmas

On the trolley problem, dissolving moral dilemmas, and why civilization means fewer tragic choices.

Dec 9, 2025 • Vatsal

3

2

August 2025

Overcoming the Naturalistic Fallacy

On the open-question argument, goodness, the objectivity of moral truths, and the science of morality.

Aug 7, 2025 • Vatsal

2

May 2025

Bryan Caplan on Ethical Intuitionism

On common sense realism, moral knowledge, naturalism, G.E. Moore, Ayn Rand, and moral motivation.

May 6, 2025 • Vatsal and Bryan Caplan

1

10:05

February 2025

Michael Shermer on Morality and Science

On Enlightenment values, science and ethics, the fact-value distinction, utilitarianism, and free will.

Feb 4, 2025 • Vatsal

23:47