#12: Caylan Ford - Exploring the Soul of Conservatism

In this deep and thought-provoking discussion, Shawn interviews Caylan Ford, a documentary filmmaker, writer, researcher, charter school founder, and former political candidate. They explore the moral responsibilities of individuals on all sides of the political spectrum. Caylan delves into the importance of guarding our souls against the moral perils of modern politics, the value of metaphysical questions, and the role of education in cultivating virtues. With references to thinkers like Plato, Voegelin, and Aristotle, Caylan and Shawn examine how society's focus on materialism and the rejection of traditional values contribute to contemporary crises. They discuss the profound impact of beauty, suffering, and silence on the human experience and the necessity of a common good in politics. The conversation highlights the inherent tension between the quantifiable and the ineffable in modern life and the importance of maintaining an openness to the transcendent.

00:00 Guarding Our Souls in Political Times

00:55 Introducing Caylan Ford: A Multifaceted Career

01:36 The Fundamental Question: Why Does Anything Matter?

02:55 Metaphysical Significance and Human Flourishing

04:45 Plato, Vogelin, and the Nature of Reality

10:28 The Role of Education in Apprehending Reality

12:45 The Importance of Silence and Inner Stillness

19:52 Modern Society's Relationship with Mortality

26:51 The Consequences of Avoiding Metaphysical Questions

31:23 The Enlightenment and the Rejection of Tradition

32:12 The Importance of Cultural Roots

32:55 The Dangers of Uprootedness

34:11 Totalitarianism and the Atomized Man

34:49 Defining the Common Good

37:00 Philosophical Undertakings and the Order of Being

38:23 Conservatism and the Human Experience

44:49 The Role of Beauty and Family in Conservatism

54:15 COVID-19 and the Impact on Society

58:23 Concluding Thoughts on Conservatism

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