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A History of Ideas

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the work of key philosophers and their theories.

Radio 4,72 episodes

Episodes

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Neuropsychologist Paul Broks on Wittgenstein
Paul Broks looks at the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein and the problem of 'other minds'.
07 Aug 2015,11 mins
Philosopher Clare Carlisle on Reality and Perception
Clare Carlisle grapples with Bishop Berkley's idea that objects only exist in our minds.
06 Aug 2015,11 mins
Physicist Tara Shears on Falsification
How can we separate real science from mumbo jumbo? Physicist Tara Shears investigates.
05 Aug 2015,11 mins
Lawyer Harry Potter on Eyewitness Testimony
Barrister Harry Potter on whether we can believe our eyes.
04 Aug 2015,11 mins
How Can I Know Anything at All?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how we can know anything at all.
03 Aug 2015,11 mins
Writer Lisa Appignanesi on the Love of Children
How should we love our children? Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau had some great ideas.
31 Jul 2015,11 mins
Psychotherapist Mark Vernon on Freud
What is love? Psychotherapist Mark Vernon looks at Freud's ideas on the Greek god Eros.
30 Jul 2015,11 mins
Theologian Giles Fraser on Altruism
Giles Fraser discusses gene theory versus altruism with Tom Stoppard and Armand Leroi.
29 Jul 2015,11 mins
Classicist Edith Hall on Aristophanes in Plato
Classicist Edith Hall on Aristophanes's explanation of love.
28 Jul 2015,11 mins
What Is Love?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of ideas around love.
27 Jul 2015,11 mins
Philosopher Timothy Secret on Ancestor Worship
Timothy Secret on Confucius. To live well together we must first consider the dead.
24 Jul 2015,11 mins
Philosopher Angie Hobbs on Plato's Philosopher Kings
Angie Hobbs asks if the ideal state would be run by philosophers not politicians.
23 Jul 2015,11 mins
Economist Kate Barker on the Free Market
Is a free market the best foundation for a fair, dynamic society?
22 Jul 2015,11 mins
Historian Justin Champion on Toleration
Professor Justin Champion examines Locke's Letter on Toleration.
21 Jul 2015,11 mins
How Should We Live Together?
Melvyn Bragg and guests debate how we should live together.
20 Jul 2015,11 mins
Philosopher Barry Smith on Descartes and Consciousness
Philosopher Barry Smith explores ideas about consciousness.
17 Apr 2015,11 mins
Philosopher Jules Evans on Jung and the Mind
Jules Evans explores Jung and the shadow inside all of us.
16 Apr 2015,11 mins
Writer AL Kennedy on Sartre and the Individual
Writer AL Kennedy explores existentialist ideas about the individual.
15 Apr 2015,11 mins
Paul Broks on John Locke and Personal Identity
Paul Broks asks how we can be sure we are the same person that we were yesterday.
14 Apr 2015,11 mins
What Does It Mean to Be Me?
Barry Smith, Paul Broks, AL Kennedy and Jules Evans discuss the self.
13 Apr 2015,11 mins
Historian Alice Taylor on Habeas Corpus
Historian Alice Taylor on the slippery justice of extrajudicial detention.
10 Apr 2015,11 mins
Thomas Hobbes and Civil Disobedience
Criminologist David Wilson looks at Thomas Hobbes and his 'social contract' theory.
09 Apr 2015,11 mins
Philosopher Angie Hobbs on the Veil of Ignorance
Angie Hobbs, Leif Wenar and David Runciman debate and explore the ideas of John Rawls.
08 Apr 2015,11 mins
Barrister Harry Potter on Deterrence
In this edition of a series of programmes on justice, Harry Potter examines deterrence.
07 Apr 2015,11 mins
What Is Justice?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss ideas about justice.
06 Apr 2015,11 mins
Ayn Rand and Selfishness
Neuropsychologist Paul Broks looks at the idea of leading a good life by being selfish.
03 Apr 2015,11 mins
Naomi Appleton on the Buddha's Four Noble Truths
Naomi Appleton explores the Buddha's Four Noble Truths.
02 Apr 2015,11 mins
Justin Champion on Max Weber and the Protestant Ethic
Justin Champion looks at the roots of our culture's belief in the moral power of hard work
01 Apr 2015,11 mins
Philosopher Jules Evans on Aristotle and Flourishing
Philosopher Jules Evans asks Gus O'Donnell how to measure the good life.
31 Mar 2015,11 mins
How Do I Live a Good Life?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how to live a good life.
30 Mar 2015,11 mins