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