Concepts with Shawn Whatley

Shawn Whatley
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Uncovering the concepts behind current events. Challenging accepted thinking. Offering solutions. shawnwhatley.substack.com

  1. 3D AGO

    #62 Sam Routley: Unpacking Canadian Conservative voters. Fusionism, culture and economics

    Conservative voters around the world are leaning into culture and away from economic issues. Sam Routley's research found that Canadian conservatives cling to the 1980's fusionism of traditional social policies and libertarian economics. Can the 1980's fusionism hold? Will economic determinism help Conservatives to win elections today? Links to articles Decoding Canada's Conservative Coalition Sam's Substack: The Country of Our Defeat John Gray: Why I Am Not a Post-liberal   AI Summary In this episode of Concepts with Shawn Whatley, Shawn dives into the evolving nature of Canadian conservatism. Joined by Sam Routley, a PhD student from the University of Western Ontario, the discussion begins with a basic inquiry: Are Canadian conservative ideas stuck in the past, or is there a renaissance in understanding what conservatism means today? They delve into Routley's research on the 'Decoding Canada's Conservative Coalition' piece, exploring the historical adherence to fusionism between free-market libertarianism and social traditionalism in Canada versus changes observed in other countries. Shawn further probes into whether economic policies alone can address contemporary societal issues or if a broader conversation about cultural and social values is necessary. Throughout the episode, they explore the nuances of economic determinism, the role of culture in conservative politics, and the future direction of conservatism in Canada. Don't miss their thoughtful and engaging exploration of these pressing topics in modern conservatism. 00:00 Introduction: Canadian Conservative Voters 00:47 Welcome to Concepts with Shawn Whatley 01:02 Interview with Sam Routley: Decoding Canada's Conservative Coalition 01:37 Fusionism in Canadian Conservatism 02:03 Canada's Conservative Coalition: Research Findings 02:58 Discussion on Economic Determinism and Cultural Issues 03:42 Sam Routley's Article and Substack 07:54 Fusionism Explained: US vs. Canada 25:37 Economic and Cultural Forces in Politics 33:33 The Role of Culture in Leadership and Innovation 35:32 The Cultural Focus of Conservatism 36:11 Economic vs Cultural Perspectives 37:11 The Role of the State in Culture 38:37 Contemporary Cultural Issues 42:06 Intellectual Conservatism and Canada's Future 47:31 The Importance of Foundational Values 54:18 The Debate on Liberalism and Conservatism 01:03:33 Concluding Thoughts on Cultural and Political Change

    1h 6m

  2. OCT 30

    #61 Alexander Brown: Young Voters, Culture, and Politics in Canada

    Young conservatives aren't falling in line. Alex says, "We don't care. I'm not incentivized to look the other way. I don't need an invite to a table of six at Terroni in the back room to talk about continuing the status quo." In a world when young voters can't afford a house in Canada, you'd think they'd obsess about economics. They don't. They care as much about culture as being able to afford a home. Alexander Brown works at the front of this young conservative uprising. Enjoy! Links: Without Diminishment National Citizens' Coalition Against Andrew Coyne-ism JunoNews AI Summary  In this episode, host Shawn Whatley is joined by Alexander Brown, a prolific writer, journalist, managing editor, and co-founder of Without Diminishment. Alexander also serves as the director of the National Citizens Coalition and hosts a show on Juno News. The conversation delves deep into the frustrations of young voters in Canada, particularly focusing on cultural and economic challenges. They discuss the conservative party's hesitancy to engage in cultural debates and the significance of platforms like Without Diminishment that aim to bridge this gap. Highlighting the growing discontent among young Canadians over issues like home ownership and social cohesion, Alexander and Shawn explore the potential for a rejuvenated conservative movement that does not shy away from cultural conversations. The episode also touches upon the platform's innovative and sometimes controversial content, the importance of addressing young people's concerns, and the broader implications of ignoring cultural issues in Canada's political discourse. 00:00 Introduction: Frustrations of Young Canadian Voters 00:07 The Struggles of the Middle Class 00:26 The Importance of Common Sense and Normalcy 01:34 Introduction to the Guest: Alexander Brown 02:08 Cultural Discussions in Conservative Politics 03:23 The Role of Without Diminishment 04:01 Challenges and Criticisms 05:27 The Need for Cultural Conversations 13:44 The Role of Economics in Politics 26:15 Project Ontario and Conservative Thought 28:31 Net Migration and Healthcare Challenges 28:57 Conservative Campaign Reflections 30:09 Economic Policies and Critiques 32:03 Leadership and Conservative Values 39:17 Mike Harris's Legacy 42:44 National Citizens Coalition 53:10 Challenges for Young People 56:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    57 min

  3. OCT 28

    #60 Alexander Rosenthal-Pubul: Conservative Humanism - Reconciling Tradition and Modernity

    Is secular humanism a distortion of an older conservative humanism? And why are conservatives so obsessed with international trade? The French Enlightenment philosopher Montesquieu argued that international trade promotes peace. He called it doux commerce, gentle commerce.  In what sense is this a conservative idea? Fascinating and somewhat subversive discussion with Alexander Rosenthal-Pubul!  AI Summary: In this episode of Concepts, host Shawn Whatley interviews Dr. Alexander Rosenthal-Pubul about his co-authored book 'The Wisdom of Our Ancestors: Conservative Humanism and the Western Tradition.' They discuss the evolution and definition of conservatism, its distinction from classical liberalism, and its intersection with nationalism and universalism. Dr. Rosenthal-Pubul offers insights on ancient versus modern liberty, the cultural impact of the Enlightenment, and the importance of maintaining humanism in education and society. This thought-provoking discussion delves into pressing issues in the conservative intellectual movement and the challenges of upholding a coherent conservative philosophy in contemporary times. 00:00 Introduction to Conservatism and Classical Liberalism 00:07 Enlightenment Ideas and Commerce 01:16 Introduction of Dr. Alexander Rosenthal-Pubul 01:38 Discussion on 'The Wisdom of Our Ancestors' 02:07 Nationalism vs. Universalism 02:21 Commerce and Conservatism 07:40 Classical Liberalism and Conservatism 09:49 Defining Conservatism 12:32 Education and Tradition 16:26 Universalism vs. Particularism 21:46 Nationalism and Post-Liberalism 28:43 Liberty and Coercion 32:17 Harmonizing Virtue and Liberty 33:28 The Paradox of Freedom and Rationality 34:29 The Enlightenment's Optimism and Its Limits 35:16 The Role of Culture in Human Behaviour 36:06 Balancing Enlightenment and Conservatism 40:11 The Evolution of Humanism 42:00 Classical, Christian, and Modern Humanism 46:01 The Instrumental View of Knowledge 50:42 Conservatism's Cultural Crisis 53:48 Final Thoughts on Conservatism and the West

    57 min

  4. OCT 21

    #59 Tim Sargent: Can Economics Save Canada? Does Economics Serve Politics or Should Economics Rule?

    What guides politics? What matters most in political decision making? Since the 1980s, conservatives have looked to economics for guidance: economic growth, tax cuts, and decreased government spending capture the heart of political thought in North American Conservative political parties. This sparks two questions. 1) How well did this approach perform? and 2) Will this approach address current social concerns, such as infertility, mass immigration, ethnic unrest, drug supply, public safety, or 'medical assistance in dying'/euthanasia? Economics is a powerful tool. But it remains silent on the most salient issues today. Dr. Tim Sargent PhD economics explains why. AI Summary: Join Shawn Whatley as he sits down with Tim Sargent, a PhD economist with 28 years of experience in the Canadian federal public service. Together, they explore what it means to be a Canadian and discuss whether economics alone can address today's pressing issues such as fertility rates, immigration, defense, security, and more. Tim shares his unique insights on the interplay between classical liberalism and conservatism and underscores the importance of loyalty, duty, and communal values. Don't miss this deep dive into the challenges and opportunities facing Canada today. 00:00 Introduction: Can Economics Save Canada? 01:12 Guest Introduction: Meet Tim Sargent 03:57 Defining Canadian Identity 05:43 The Role of Geography and History 10:11 Regional Differences in Canada 17:46 Economics as a Servant, Not a Master 21:38 The Limits of Economics 27:55 The Need for Broader Solutions 31:26 Shifting Immigration Debates in Canada 32:19 Economic and Social Strains of Immigration 32:39 Conservative and Left-Wing Perspectives on Immigration 34:29 Reevaluating Feminism and Women's Happiness 35:36 The Role of Economics in Policy Making 36:48 Conservatism vs. Classical Liberalism 37:24 The Appeal of Classical Liberalism 39:29 Conservatism's Empirical Approach 41:07 Challenges for Modern Conservatism 50:37 Economic Policies and Conservatism 01:01:47 The Fertility Crisis and Cultural Issues

    58 min

  5. OCT 14

    #58 Ross Upshur: AI in Medicine, Limits of Evidence Based Medicine, & What Does It Mean to be Human?

    This episode is (ostensibly) about medicine, not politics. What does human-centred care mean in a world of AI? Are doctors becoming obsolete, when it comes to decision making? When should we hand over our clinical judgement to AI? I asked Ross Upshur for his thoughts on logical positivism. Are most doctors positivists?   "Despite it being... as a philosophical and epistemological doctrine... been rather thoroughly discarded... a long time ago. It's the self understanding of our profession," Ross said. Of course, ideas about what counts as knowledge are inseparable from our political assumptions. So although we do not mention politics in this episode, these ideas are core to how we approach medical 'systems', 'planning', and politics in general. Articles: "Three problems with big data and AI in medicine" (Chin-Yee & Upshur, 2019) "Looking for rules in a world of exceptions: reflections on evidence-based practice" (Upshur, 2005) Book: How Doctors Think: Clinical Judgment and the Practice of Medicine by Kathryn Montgomery (2012)    AI summary: In this episode of Concepts with Shawn Whatley, we are joined by Dr. Ross Upshur, head of the Division of Clinical Public Health at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. With over 30 years of experience in the intersection of theory and practice in medicine, Dr. Upshur provides a comprehensive discussion on the role of AI in medicine, the limitations of evidence-based practices, and the critical importance of human judgment and patient history. We explore the impacts of AI and big data on clinical care, the pitfalls of technological dependence, and the ethical ramifications of potential AI-driven healthcare. This thought-provoking conversation dives deep into the philosophical and practical aspects of modern medical practices, providing listeners with valuable insights into the future of healthcare and what it means to retain human-centered care in an increasingly automated world. 00:00 Introduction: Can AI Replace Doctors? 00:02 The Limits of Evidence in Clinical Practice 00:41 AI and Evidence-Based Medicine 01:03 Wearables and Real-Time Data: A Misguided Direction? 01:35 The Public's Frustration and Acceptance of AI 01:44 Human-Centered AI vs. Bot Care 02:19 Welcome and Guest Introduction 02:56 The Evolution of Evidence-Based Medicine 03:53 The Gap Between Theory and Practice 05:26 Patient Stories: The Heart of Clinical Medicine 10:21 AI's Role in Future Healthcare 11:00 The Challenges of Big Data and AI 14:18 Epistemological Concerns with AI 18:38 The Human Experience vs. Quantifiable Data 25:42 Clinical Tools and Judgment 32:38 The Role of Clinical Judgment in Patient Care 33:48 Challenges with Evidence-Based Medicine 34:10 Interprofessional Model of Care 35:29 The Inferential Gap in Medical Practice 38:08 Philosophical Perspectives on Medical Practice 40:02 The Future of Clinical Judgment in the Age of AI 43:27 The Importance of Practical Wisdom in Medicine 48:09 Concerns About AI and Automation in Medicine 53:31 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    1 hr

  6. OCT 7

    #57 Grant Havers: Understanding Marshall McLuhan's Relevance: AI, Social Media, and Conservative Thought

    "Politics offers yesterday's answers to today's questions." Grant Havers has been reading McLuhan for 30 years, and it shows in his new book "The Medium is Still the Message: Marshall McLuhan for Our Time." It's rare to find a book so applicable to our time, especially one written by a philosophy prof! This book is excellent. I expect it will become THE book to reference when you write about McLuhan. AI Summary: In this episode of Concepts, host Shawn Whatley and guest Professor Grant Havers, chair of the Department of Philosophy at Trinity Western University, explore the enduring relevance of Marshall McLuhan's ideas. They discuss how McLuhan's theories help make sense of current technological phenomena such as artificial intelligence, social media, and autonomous weapon systems. Havers explains how McLuhan argued that the rise of the electric and digital ages marked the end of the print age, leading to significant cultural and political shifts. They also delve into the concept of how new media creates environments that shape human behavior and societal structures. Furthermore, the conversation touches on McLuhan's conservative perspectives, the implications for contemporary politics, and the challenges of living in a post-literate society. 00:00 Introduction to Marshall McLuhan's Relevance Today 00:19 The Death of Liberalism and the Rise of Digital Age 01:34 Welcome and Introduction of Professor Grant Havers 05:08 Marshall McLuhan's Biography and Early Life 12:44 Understanding 'The Medium is the Message' 18:39 The Impact of New Media on Society 24:15 Formal Causality and Autonomous Weapon Systems 28:48 Literate vs. Post-Literate Society 37:54 Critique of Post-Liberalism 40:58 Reflections on Historical Perception 42:16 The Evolution of Capitalism 47:54 The Paradox of Reality and Media 54:04 Literacy, Simultaneity, and Progress 01:00:19 Discarnate Identity and Gnosticism 01:17:04 McLuhan's Conservative Perspective

    1h 21m

  7. SEP 30

    #56 Calum Nicholson: Boomers are Frozen in Fortune & Society is Blinded by Science

    Boomers have a worldview "frozen by fortune, not forged in fire." Through no fault of their own, the boomer generation remains blind to aspects of current reality from their experiences growing up in the post-WWII era. That era has ended. For more on this, check out Dr. Nicholson's guest post on Peter Boghossian: The Boomerang    Our discussion tackles Trump, scientism, climate change, 'masculinity crisis' (Calum says it's an immaturity crisis), and much more. Links below and AI summary follows at the bottom:   Co-edited book: Climate Migration: Critical Perspectives for Law, Policy, and Research  Check out Calum's Substack: Notes from the Isthmus  You can find more of his work at the Danube Institute:  Calum's Linktree  AI Summary Join Shawn Whatley as he interviews Dr. Calum Nicholson, a lecturer at the Cambridge PACE program and director of research at the Danube Institute, about the significant cultural shifts from the boomer generation to today. They delve into the differences in material security perspectives across generations, the role of science in society, the impact of neoliberalism, and discuss Dr. Nicholson's thoughts on climate change and the social sciences. Additionally, Dr. Nicholson provides insights into Hungary's unique cultural and political landscape, offering a comparative perspective on the Anglosphere and Central Europe. This engaging conversation is an eye-opener on various societal and philosophical questions. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below! 00:00 Introduction: The Boomer Generation and Cultural Shifts 00:42 The Crisis of Masculinity and Immaturity 01:04 Science and Society: The Role of Scientism 01:47 Interview Introduction: Dr. Calum Nicholson 02:21 The Boomerang: Impact of the Boomer Generation 04:44 Diagnosing Cultural Changes: Symptoms vs. Pathology 08:42 The Influence of Popular Culture: From Comic Books to Presidents 19:09 Generational Differences: Deep Waters vs. Shallow Waters 26:24 Neoliberalism and Its Cultural Impact 38:33 Climate Change and Social Science 45:28 Challenging Social Science Presuppositions 46:41 Science and Society: A Philosophical Inquiry 48:27 The Concept of Climate Change 53:22 The Role of Science in Society 57:34 COVID-19: A Case Study in Science and Policy 01:11:48 The Uncanny Valley of Political Empathy 01:14:39 Understanding Hungary's Unique Perspective 01:20:58 Concluding Thoughts and Future Work

    1h 22m

  8. SEP 25

    #55 Paige MacPherson: Smartphones, Canadian Education Performance, and School Choice

    Canada is libertarian on student cell phones in classrooms and statist on school choice (in most provinces). We get a poor return on investment when it comes to education in Canada. Our math and reading scores are several years behind (even before Covid). Students are distracted by over 100 messages on their cellphones each day. And teachers cannot control their own classrooms. We can do better, and Paige MacPherson shows how to do it. AI summary: In this episode of 'Concepts,' host Shawn Whatley discusses the significant impacts of smartphones and digital devices on student performance in schools with Paige MacPherson, the Associate Director of Education Policy at the Fraser Institute. They delve into the evidence showing declines in math and reading scores, changes in classroom environments due to digital distractions, and the need for policies banning smartphones in schools. The conversation also spans broader issues such as education quality, the importance of school choice, and insights into the Conservative movement in Canada. Paige shares her expertise on education policy and provides solutions for improving the quality of public education while stressing the differing educational needs of boys and girls. This compelling discussion is a must-watch for parents, educators, and policymakers aiming to understand and navigate the complexities of modern education. 00:00 The Impact of Smartphones on Classroom Performance 00:57 The Case for a Provincial Ban on Smartphones 01:15 Declining PISA Scores and Educational Outcomes 02:33 Introduction to the Episode and Guest 04:47 Smartphones: Benefits and Drawbacks for Students 07:33 Challenges of Implementing Smartphone Bans 11:12 Parental Perspectives on Smartphone Use 17:52 The Role of Technology in Modern Education 19:48 Conservatism Across Canadian Provinces 24:08 School Choice and Public School System 33:14 Reflecting on French Immersion and School Choices 34:04 The Case for Charter Schools and Specialized Education 35:18 The Myth of Wealthy Families in Independent Schools 36:19 The Tension Between Choice and Quality in Education 39:33 Challenges in Teacher Recruitment and Classroom Discipline 43:10 The Importance of Parental Choice and Accountability 45:37 The Decline of Standardized Testing and Curriculum Quality 52:54 The Need for Content-Rich and Rigorous Education 01:01:18 Addressing the Needs of Boys in the Education System 01:06:19 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks

    1h 7m
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Uncovering the concepts behind current events. Challenging accepted thinking. Offering solutions. shawnwhatley.substack.com

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