EPISODE · May 27, 2025 · 1H 3M
#34 David Livingstone: Radical Conservatives, postmodernism, and D'Arcy McGee on Canada's Founding
from Concepts with Shawn Whatley · host Shawn Whatley
Dr. Livingstone worries about postmodernism destroying Truth. I worry about about postmodernism destroying history as a way to understand the present. David says we need universals to resist postmoderns. I say we should fear universals lest the postmoderns inflict us with their 'values'. In this episode we resolve the debate (sort of). Thanks for watching! Please (please!) subscribe. :-) AI summary: Navigating Truth and Tradition: A Deep Dive with Dr. David Livingstone on Canadian Political Thought In this episode, we delve into deep political and philosophical discussions with Dr. David Livingstone, a professor of liberal and political studies at Vancouver Island University. We explore the complex interplay between universal truths and particular historical experiences, focusing on the ideas of Capital T Truth and the practical politics of Canada's founding. Our conversation centers around Dr. Livingstone's chapter on Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of Canada’s founding figures, and his civic nationalism, as discussed in the book 'Canadian Conservative Political Thought.' Join us for a profound exploration of the roots of Canadian identity, the challenges posed by postmodernism, and the enduring relevance of historical conventions in shaping a nation's values and governance. 00:00 Introduction to the Debate on Truth 00:43 Exploring Universal Values and Relativism 01:18 David Livingston's Perspective on Capital T Truth 02:54 Thomas D'Arcy McGee's Civic Nationalism 07:34 McGee's Views on Canadian Identity and Democracy 10:58 The Tension Between Universal and Particular Truths 15:41 McGee's Thoughts on Aristocracy and Education 20:03 Balancing Liberty and Stability in Canada 23:23 The Role of Philosophy and Education in Nation-Building 26:31 Reconciling Historical Empiricism and Universal Truths 38:29 The Evolution of Vocabularies and Human Nature 39:15 The Importance of Constitutional Order 41:28 The Role of Liberal Studies in Understanding Life's Purpose 42:34 Challenges Facing Liberal Studies Programs 43:21 The Decline of Constitutional Awareness 47:23 The Importance of Historical Context in Law 59:24 The Role of Universities in Shaping Society 01:03:09 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action
What this episode covers
Dr. Livingstone worries about postmodernism destroying Truth. I worry about about postmodernism destroying history as a way to understand the present. David says we need universals to resist postmoderns. I say we should fear universals lest the postmoderns inflict us with their 'values'. In this episode we resolve the debate (sort of). Thanks for watching! Please (please!) subscribe. :-) AI summary: Navigating Truth and Tradition: A Deep Dive with Dr. David Livingstone on Canadian Political Thought In this episode, we delve into deep political and philosophical discussions with Dr. David Livingstone, a professor of liberal and political studies at Vancouver Island University. We explore the complex interplay between universal truths and particular historical experiences, focusing on the ideas of Capital T Truth and the practical politics of Canada's founding. Our conversation centers around Dr. Livingstone's chapter on Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of Canada’s founding figures, and his civic nationalism, as discussed in the book 'Canadian Conservative Political Thought.' Join us for a profound exploration of the roots of Canadian identity, the challenges posed by postmodernism, and the enduring relevance of historical conventions in shaping a nation's values and governance. 00:00 Introduction to the Debate on Truth 00:43 Exploring Universal Values and Relativism 01:18 David Livingston's Perspective on Capital T Truth 02:54 Thomas D'Arcy McGee's Civic Nationalism 07:34 McGee's Views on Canadian Identity and Democracy 10:58 The Tension Between Universal and Particular Truths 15:41 McGee's Thoughts on Aristocracy and Education 20:03 Balancing Liberty and Stability in Canada 23:23 The Role of Philosophy and Education in Nation-Building 26:31 Reconciling Historical Empiricism and Universal Truths 38:29 The Evolution of Vocabularies and Human Nature 39:15 The Importance of Constitutional Order 41:28 The Role of Liberal Studies in Understanding Life's Purpose 42:34 Challenges Facing Liberal Studies Programs 43:21 The Decline of Constitutional Awareness 47:23 The Importance of Historical Context in Law 59:24 The Role of Universities in Shaping Society 01:03:09 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action
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#34 David Livingstone: Radical Conservatives, postmodernism, and D'Arcy McGee on Canada's Founding
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