Membership
Understand the world through the ideas that move it
Every week we take the stories shaping the world and examine them from both sides: the strongest case for, the strongest case against, and the thinkers who explain what is really at stake.
- Both sides of every storyEach analysis sets the strongest case for against the strongest case against, then names the crux.
- The ideas behind the newsThe thinkers, histories and arguments that explain why events unfold as they do.
- Structured learningMasterclasses read in order, and a weekly audio deep dive for Premium members.
Free
The news and the ideas behind it, free: The Briefing, The Week and every Explainer.
- The Briefing, every weekday
- The Week newsletter, every Saturday
- Every Explainer, always free
- The opening of every Analysis
- Part 1 of every Masterclass
- Dead Philosophers' Advice (free members)
Reader
Everything we write: every analysis, essay and masterclass, in full.
- Every Analysis in full, from both sides
- Leaders and The Crux essays
- Every written Masterclass
- Books & Ideas, Columns and The Long Read
- The Crux Letter
- The full archive, and comments
Premium
Everything in Reader, plus the weekly audio masterclass and its full audio archive.
- A brand new, in-depth video masterclass every single week
- Full access to The Vault: a private archive of 500+ deep-dive videos and premium resources
- Professional companion materials for each masterclass, distilling the key ideas and core principles
- Instant, unlimited access to the ever-growing premium vault
- An ad-free, distraction-free learning experience
- Support the ongoing creation of independent philosophy content
- 7-day free trial
- Cancel anytime
- Secure payment by Stripe
- Switch or pause in your account
Compare the plans
| Benefit | Free | Reader | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Briefing, every weekday | Included | Included | Included |
| The Week newsletter | Included | Included | Included |
| Explainers | Included | Included | Included |
| The opening of every Analysis, Part 1 of every Masterclass | Included | Included | Included |
| Dead Philosophers' Advice | Included | Included | Included |
| Every Analysis in full | – | Included | Included |
| Leaders and The Crux essays | – | Included | Included |
| Every written Masterclass | – | Included | Included |
| Reviews, Columns and The Long Read | – | Included | Included |
| The Crux Letter | – | Included | Included |
| The full archive and comments | – | Included | Included |
| The weekly audio masterclass (about 100 minutes) | – | – | Included |
| The full audio archive | – | – | Included |
| PDF study guides (occasional bonus) | – | – | Included |
What you get each week
- Mon–Fri
- The Briefing: one news story and the idea behind it. Free
- Monday
- Analysis: the week's big story through the Crux Method.
- Tuesday
- Masterclass lesson: the next part of a running course.
- Wednesday
- The house Leader, and The Crux: our flagship essay.
- Thursday
- An Explainer (free) and a named Column.
- Friday
- The audio deep dive, about 100 minutes. Premium
- Saturday
- The Week: the week in ideas, by email. Free
- Sunday
- Books & Ideas: a review or a classic re-read.
Questions
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel from your account whenever you like. Your access continues until the end of the period you have paid for.
How does the 7-day free trial work?
Reader and Premium both start with a 7-day free trial. Cancel before it ends and you will not be charged.
What is the difference between Reader and Premium?
Reader gives you everything we write: every analysis, leader, essay, masterclass, review, column and the full archive. Premium adds the weekly audio masterclass, about 100 minutes long, and its full audio archive.
What is free?
The Briefing, The Week newsletter, Explainers, the opening of every Analysis and Part 1 of every Masterclass are free.
Can I change plan later?
Yes. You can switch between Reader and Premium, or between monthly and annual billing, from your account.
Cancel anytime · 7-day free trial on Reader and Premium