Best The Hard Problem Of Consciousness Podcasts (2025)

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Have You Ever Heard of the Consciousness Hard Problem? 32:02

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2d ago32:02

32:02

Extra Episode — Cory Katuna — Have You Ever Heard of the Consciousness Hard Problem? Today's episode is part of an experiment: introducing best practices from other disciplines to the bench-based bioscientist. Today, we discuss the consciousness "hard" problem with Cory Katuna. Why should a bioscientist care about consciousness? In science, objecti…

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#55 Paige MacPherson: Smartphones, Canadian Education Performance, and School Choice 1:06:48

17m ago1:06:48

1:06:48

Canada is libertarian on 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…

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Motivation: When the Couch Wins Again (and Again, and Again) 29:24

1d ago29:24

29:24

Have you ever promised yourself you were going to go for a walk, but somehow the couch whispered sweet nothings and won the battle? Why does motivation vanish right when you need it most? And why does it feel like everyone else has an endless supply of it except you? Today we’ll cover: why motivation isn’t what you think it is, how your brain is se…

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#54 Étienne-Alexander Beauregard - Gen-Z Conservatism & Anti Civilization: Why Our Societies Collapse From Within 57:41

1d ago57:41

57:41

Gen Z sits at the cusp of major change in conservatism. Young people do not feel a warmth and longing for Reagan or Thatcher. Sure, they value freedom, but they also what to know where the guardrails stand. Étienne-Alexandre speaks clearly for a new generation of non-left thinkers. He asks what might be the role of conservatism in the near future. …

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E137 - From Employees to A-Players: How to Keep and Grow the Talent You Worked So Hard to Find 14:47

4d ago14:47

14:47

Hiring and onboarding get people in the door. But the real challenge begins after that: keeping them engaged, motivated, and growing with your business. Too many small business owners assume that if someone is happy today, they’ll be happy forever. That’s not how it works—and it’s why turnover quietly drains capacity, profits, and morale. In this e…

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#53 Tristin Hopper: Extremism in Canadian Universities and review of his book, "Don't be Canada" 48:17

6d ago48:17

48:17

Once again, Canadian university professors show their extremism in response to Charlie Kirk, a mirror of their praise for Oct 7. Professors shape opinion; they shape culture. Do we want the kind of culture they promote? Turning to his book, Tristin argues that Canada's world-famous policy failures are self-inflicted. He believes we could recover, i…

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The Myths of Maintenance 24:45

7d ago24:45

24:45

Have you ever thought, “Once I hit my goal weight, I can finally relax and stop thinking about food and exercise all the time”? And then, when you actually got close to your goal, you realized… oh no, this isn’t what I expected. Let me ask you this. What if that way of thinking—waiting for the finish line, waiting for the “after” picture—is the ver…

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#52 Josh Lewis: Conservatism, Saving Elephants, Populism, Donald Trump, and Economic Morality 1:09:50

8d ago1:09:50

1:09:50

Josh Lewis is a traditional conservative who has worked in 'government' in America, has served in retail politics, and has interviewed hundreds of leading thinkers in American conservatism. Josh has a unique ability to bridge the gap between politics and life, philosophy and culture. His developed his skill comes from a deep discomfort with what he…

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E136 - The Hidden Cost of Bad Onboarding: Why You’re Losing Your Best People Before They Even Start 17:00

11d ago17:00

17:00

You did it—you finally hired the right person. They’re smart, capable, and seem like the perfect fit. But just 90 days later, they’re gone. It’s not because of pay. Not because of competition. It’s because you lost them before they ever had a chance to succeed. In this episode, we uncover one of the most overlooked growth-killers in small businesse…

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#51 Reflecting on Charlie Kirk. Are we tired of being bullied? 22:53

13d ago22:53

22:53

I couldn't stay silent and sane. Once again, the AI summary is scarily accurate, so I will let is stand. Let me know what you think. Shawn AI Summary: Responding to Tragedy: Honouring Charlie Kirk & Challenging Silence In this deeply reflective episode of Concepts, host Shawn Whatley breaks from his usual avoidance of current events to address a tu…

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#50 George Nash: The Conservative Intellectual Movement 1:09:54

15d ago1:09:54

1:09:54

If you find conservatism confusing, you are not alone! Dr. George Nash has spent 50 years explaining all the strands that weave together into the collection of ideas we call conservatism. The AI summary is surprisingly good, so I will simply point out the book links below: The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America since 1945 Russel Kirk's C…

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E135 - Why Your Hiring Isn’t Working: The Hidden Priorities That Actually Attract A-Players 19:12

17d ago19:12

19:12

Hiring shouldn’t feel like gambling—but for most small business owners, it does. You put out a job ad, interview a few candidates, and hope you find someone who sticks. More often than not, you end up disappointed, burned out, and right back in the hiring cycle. In this episode, we’re exposing the big lie about hiring: it’s not about filling seats.…

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E134 - Burnout Is A Business Model Problem - Not A Personal One 19:13

17d ago19:13

19:13

In this episode, we tackle the silent epidemic plaguing high-performing business owners: burnout. But not from the usual angle. Because burnout isn’t caused by laziness, lack of motivation, or even overwork. It’s caused by building a business that can’t function without you. If you’re tired of carrying the weight of the business on your back, this …

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Listen Again: The Puzzle Perspective: Unlocking the Weight Loss Code 31:20

23d ago31:20

31:20

Have you ever felt like losing weight is like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded? The struggle is real, right? It's not just the simple formula that diets try to tell us it is. It's an emotional rollercoaster filled with frustration, self-doubt, and - let’s be honest - the occasional forbidden love affair with a pint of ice cream. But what …

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#49 Yuval Levin: Unity, Citizenship, and American Constitutionalism 1:03:00

22d ago1:03:00

1:03:00

How can we live together when we don't t all think alike? Are there nothing but power struggles, or is there a better way? Dr. Yuval Levin explains that we don't need to disagree less; we need to learn to disagree better. Unity does not mean unanimity. We should be hopeful, not simply optimistic. Yuval has spent several decades trying to persuade c…

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Explaining Why You Can Know WHAT To Do and Not Do It 35:54

30d ago35:54

35:54

How many times have you thought to yourself “I know WHAT to do to lose weight, I just have a hard time actually doing it.”? That question used to drive me crazy. I mean how many diet books and weight loss programs does it take to learn the WHAT to do to lose weight? You’re great at learning. You can probably recite the steps and the macros and the …

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#48 Nico Lagan: Political Orphans, Masculinity, and Faith 1:08:01

29d ago1:08:01

1:08:01

The non-left in Canada includes an interesting and often overlooked group. They promote a mix of exercise, martial arts, masculinity, self defence, freedom, self sufficiency, honour, Christianity, and more. This group baffles academics and exasperates leftists. Both left and right seeks to dismiss and minimize their impact. But they represent a lar…

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E133 - The Real Reason You're Burned Out (It’s Not What You Think) 18:46

1M ago18:46

18:46

In this episode, we’re blowing up the biggest myth about entrepreneurial burnout—and showing you how AI isn’t just a task tool, but the unlock to finally getting your business out of your head and into a self-sustaining rhythm. If you’re overwhelmed, drowning in decisions, and still somehow the glue holding your business together… this isn’t a syst…

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How To Stop Losing and Gaining the Same 5 Pounds 34:09

1M ago34:09

34:09

Have you ever stepped on the scale, seen the number go down, and thought, “Woohoo! I earned this!” …only to eat a little more, step back on the scale, and wonder, “Wait, what just happened?” Or maybe you’ve asked yourself: How do I actually know when I’ve had enough food? And why is it so easy to overshoot and end up feeling too full? If these thou…

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#47 Andy Crooks: Moral Courage and the Heart of Conservatism 1:10:51

1M ago1:10:51

1:10:51

Andy captures the heart of conservatism unlike anything I've found elsewhere. He has lived it. He embodies it. And he welcomes others to enjoy it. Andy Crooks spelled out what's at stake for Canada, and he explained what we must do to save it. Stark, fun, inspirational, and tragic. I can't think of a better embodiment of the heart an soul of conser…

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E132 - Burnout Is A Business Model Problem—Not A Personal One 16:07

1M ago16:07

16:07

In this episode, we tackle the silent epidemic plaguing high-performing business owners: burnout. But not from the usual angle. Because burnout isn’t caused by laziness, lack of motivation, or even overwork. It’s caused by building a business that can’t function without you. If you’re tired of carrying the weight of the business on your back, this …

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It’s Not a Crime to Want Ice Cream - Emotional Eating 4 20:47

1M ago20:47

20:47

Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the freezer, staring at the ice cream, and suddenly it’s like you’ve got a whole debate team in your head? One voice whispers, “Ooh, ice cream sounds perfect. I deserve it.” Another snaps, “You don’t need it. Walk away.” Then out of nowhere, a third one yells, “What is wrong with me?” It’s like a mu…

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#46 Marco Navarro-Genie: Red Toryism, Canadian Identity, and the Role of Conservatism 1:08:19

1M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Marco packages powerful barbs in (slightly) softened academic polish. It makes his writing and speaking fun to consume and hard to forget. Do check out his Substack https://substack.com/@navarrogenie Looking forward to hearing what you think! Thanks again! AI summary: Special guest Dr. Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Center for Publ…

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E131 - The Death of Personality-Driven Leadership 21:34

2M ago21:34

21:34

In this episode, we unpack one of the most overlooked reasons small businesses stay stuck: the trap of personality-driven leadership. If your business only works when you're watching, reminding, or rescuing—it’s not your people that are broken. It’s your system. We explore how leadership systems—not superstar employees—are what make businesses scal…

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How to Crack the Snack Code - Emotional Eating 3 28:09

2M ago28:09

28:09

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I know what’s happening! I know I’m eating for comfort, but I can’t seem to stop reaching for food when I’m overwhelmed, bored, or just plain done with the day?” You’re not alone, and honestly, you’re making real progress just by noticing. If you’ve been following along with our series on emotional eating, y…

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#45 Sean Walsh: The Hard Problem of Consciousness, AI, and Conservatism 53:48

2M ago53:48

53:48

Sean has a PhD in the philosophy of artificial intelligence. He writes well and thinks deeply. He's also experienced more grit than the average academic. This was not a light discussion, but I think you will find it well worth your time. Articles mentioned: Wandering Thoughts Artificial, human and angelic intelligence Sean is Associate Editor of Co…

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E130 - Why Saying Yes Is Sinking Your Business 18:50

2M ago18:50

18:50

Most business owners don’t realize it, but constantly saying “yes” isn’t a strength — it’s a leadership weakness. What feels like being a good, approachable leader is often the exact reason you’re stuck in operations, overwhelmed, and unable to grow. In this episode, we break down why saying yes too much traps business owners in burnout, disempower…

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Why You Keep Ending Up in the Pantry - Emotional Eating Pt 2 26:49

2M ago26:49

26:49

Have you ever found yourself with your hand in the cereal box, thinking, “How did I even get here?” Oh yes, we’re going there. Welcome back to our four-part series on emotional eating. If you missed last episode, we dug into what emotional eating really is, why it’s not just about willpower, and why your brain is actually doing its job—even when yo…

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#44 Tristan Rogers: Conservatism Past and Present--A Philosophical Introduction 1:06:32

2M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Tristan and I discuss his new book on conservatism. It is fun and deep and convoluted...you will love it. The AI summary (below) chunks out the main sections. Books and articles mentioned: Conservatism Past and Present: A philosophical introduction, by Tristan Rogers https://amzn.to/4lYHPbC England: An Elegy, by Roger Scruton https://amzn.to/4lMKkO…

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E129 - AI Will Not Save You - But It Can Set the Stage for What Will 21:13

2M ago21:13

21:13

AI is not your savior—but it can be your secret weapon. In this episode, we unpack the real reason most small businesses stay stuck even after adopting AI: they’re still operating instead of leading. Discover the three powerful ways AI, when used correctly, creates leverage—and why none of it matters unless you step up and lead at a higher level. A…

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Why Am I Eating When I’m Not Even Hungry? Emotional Eating Pt 1 23:56

2M ago23:56

23:56

Have you ever found yourself in the pantry, not because you’re hungry, but because something inside just feels off and food feels like the best solution? Or maybe you’ve stared down a bag of chips after a tough day and wondered, “Why can’t I just stop?” If that’s ever happened to you, then you are absolutely not alone. In fact, you’re in the perfec…

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#43 Brian Day: The Fight for Canadian Healthcare | A 30-Year Battle for Patient Rights 1:07:55

2M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

Dr. Brian Day has spent decades fighting for patients' rights. He trained during an era of no wait times and doctors competing to provide care for patients. People find this hard to believe, and system planners find it horrifying. Canadian medicare was once the envy of the world. Today, countries try to avoid creating 'Canada-like' results. Dr. Day…

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E128 - Burnout Isn’t About Working Too Much — It’s About Working On The Wrong Things 17:58

2M ago17:58

17:58

If you want to build a business that runs without draining your people — or you — this episode is your roadmap to creating alignment, clarity, and growth without the burnout spiral. Most people think burnout is about being overworked. But for many high-performing employees, the real culprit is misalignment. When work lacks meaning, challenge, or a …

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Does Feeling Your Feelings Freak You Out? 29:42

2M ago29:42

29:42

Have you ever felt like your emotions were just too much—too big, too heavy, too uncomfortable to sit with—so you ended up reaching for food instead of facing them? And somehow you find yourself elbow-deep in a bag of chips or three scoops into the ice cream carton before you even realize what you're feeling? Like something was bugging you… but you…

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#42 Nathan Pinkoski: Actually Existing Postliberalism 1:01:22

2M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

A quiet revolution occurred in the 1990s. Our institutions shifted. The global war on terror solidified the shift and obliterated the distinction between public and private, which was once a feature of liberalism. The fusion of public and private represents a new era of actually existing postliberalism. https://firstthings.com/actually-existing-pos…

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9. Behind the Mic: Reflections on My Podcast Journey 9:15

2M ago9:15

9:15

From Dream to Reality: What I’ve Learnt Launching My Podcast 🎙🎧 What really happens when you finally say yes to that big idea you've been dreaming about? In this special solo episode, I’m reflecting on what the last three months have really been like since launching the Ideas That Inspire podcast. The joy, the challenges, and the honest lessons I’v…

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E127 - Why Your Team Is Pretending to Work (And What to Do About It) 21:33

2M ago21:33

21:33

If nearly half your team is pretending to work, the real problem isn’t laziness—it’s leadership. When your mission is fuzzy, KPIs are unclear, and communication is inconsistent, your team isn’t engaged—they’re surviving. And most leaders make it worse by tightening control instead of building culture. In this episode, we break down how to fix the d…

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How People Pleasing Sabotages Your Weight Loss 39:24

3M ago39:24

39:24

Have you ever said yes when you really wanted to say no, just to avoid disappointing someone? Have you ever ended up cleaning the kitchen at 10 p.m. while eating cookies over the sink, because you were running on empty from managing everyone else’s needs all day? Why does it feel so hard to speak up for yourself, set a boundary, or just take a mome…

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#41 Rebecca Vachon: Canada's Rapid Expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)/Euthanasia 50:44

3M ago50:44

50:44

Canada has the fastest growing assisted dying program in the world. Medical Assistance in Dying (passive and active euthanasia) is now tied as Canada's 5th leading cause of death. We tackle loneliness and social isolation, individualism, and (briefly) social response to suffering. Not a light episode, but a crucial topic to discuss. Thanks for chec…

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E126 - Confident But Clueless: Leading The Un-Coachable Employee 21:10

3M ago21:10

21:10

In this episode, we tackle one of the most frustrating (and costly) leadership challenges: working with a team member who’s sure they’re performing… but everyone else sees the truth. This isn’t just about ego—it’s about the collision between inflated self-worth and a lack of self-awareness. And if you don’t know how to handle it? It can quietly dra…

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This is gonna take FOREVER! 25:07

3M ago25:07

25:07

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Ugh… this is going to take forever”? Maybe it was after stepping on the scale and seeing no change—again. Maybe it was that moment when you realized how far you feel from where you want to be. Maybe it was when you just wanted to feel comfortable in your jeans… and the button still tugged. And then that thou…

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#40 Happy Canada Day! What is Canada? What are we celebrating? 6:19

3M ago6:19

6:19

Short recording for Canada Day. I hope you find (or found) time to enjoy the day and reflect on what we are celebrating. Canada is young: many Canadians alive now are more than 1/2 as old as Canada itself. Given its youth, what exactly is Canada? What aspects do we hope to pass on to our children and grandchildren? Whatever Canada is it must be "pl…

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#39 Adam Swart: CEO Crowds on Demand. Paid Protesters a Moral and Political Dilemma? 54:10

3M ago54:10

54:10

I had a friendly debate with Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, the largest protest company in America. He ran circles around me having clearly argued almost all my points many times before. He called out my hypocrisy at being intolerant of paying protesters while being ok with all the other money that flows around inside politics. Adam forced me…

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8. Emotions & the Body: Understanding the Connection for Better Health 1:10:31

3M ago1:10:31

1:10:31

What if your emotions could be the key to better physical health? 🤔 In this episode, I’m joined by Kim Knight from Art Of Health — also known as the Kiwi Health Detective. Kim is a Root Cause and Lifestyle Medicine practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience helping people heal from chronic pain and fatigue. After overcoming multiple chr…

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E125 - The AI Takeover — Tool Or Trap? 19:47

3M ago19:47

19:47

Hey, here is the next one—wherever it fits in the lineup. Show Notes: The AI Takeover — Tool or Trap? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the AI revolution—what it really means for small business owners, and why using it wrong could cost you far more than ignoring it altogether. AI isn’t just a tech trend. It’s a leadership shift. When use…

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Listen Again: The Tyranny of the Shoulds 29:39

3M ago29:39

29:39

Have you ever found yourself trapped in the endless cycle of "shoulds"? You know, those nagging thoughts that tell you what you should be doing, how you should look, and who you should be? It's like having a not-so-helpful, naggy backseat driver living in your head, right? But does listening to those "shoulds" actually get you anywhere? Or do they …

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#38 Ryan Alford: Seven Absolute Rights and necessary limits on government 1:00:29

3M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Our legal history will shock you. It has more tradition than libertarians can stomach and more anti-government sentiment than conservatives can tolerate. Dr. Alford explains why we need both more history and more enthusiasm to put government in its place. He ends with a message of hope for rescuing Canada. Seven Absolute Rights: Recovering the Hist…

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E124 - Broken Promises, Boiling Points, And Burnout: What Your Team’s Silence Is Really Telling You 23:08

3M ago23:08

23:08

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on why so many small business teams are disengaged—and what your leadership habits may have to do with it. Disengagement isn’t about lazy employees. It’s usually about broken systems, unclear expectations, and leaders who are running on fumes. We explore the real reasons teams stop trying, why yelling is a …

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When One Cookie Feels Like Failure 15:15

3M ago15:15

15:15

Have you ever had that awful, sinking feeling after a “bad” food day… where all your progress feels like it’s circling the drain? You ate something that wasn’t “on plan,” skipped a workout, maybe even said, “Screw it” and dove face-first into a bag of chips. And then, the spiral starts. Your brain chimes in with the ultimate gut-punch: “See? You me…

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#37 Daniel Pitt: The essence of conservatism from Burke to Scruton. 1:00:22

3M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

I got a chance to visit with Dr. Dan Pitt, co-author of Intellectual Conservatism: From Burke to Scruton. We focussed on a chapter he wrote which offers a brilliant rubric for understanding conservatism -- one of the best I've seen. Dr. Pitt offers an attractive view beyond the status-quo liberalism in which all political parties operate, for the m…