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

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

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