A Point of View

A weekly reflection on a topical issue.

Radio 4,839 episodes

Episodes

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On marriage
Alain de Botton muses on why a bookish life is a poor preparation for marriage!
11 Feb 2011,10 mins
In Praise of the Nanny State
Alain de Botton reflects on why freedom has become our ultimate political ideal.
04 Feb 2011,10 mins
Are museums our new churches?
Alain de Botton asks if museums are our new churches.
28 Jan 2011,10 mins
The ecological sublime
Alain de Botton gives a philosopher's take on our ecological dilemmas.
21 Jan 2011,10 mins
'News' and concentration
Alain de Botton on our inability to concentrate.
14 Jan 2011,10 mins
What humanities should teach
Alain de Botton with a controversial view of the teaching of humanities in universities.
07 Jan 2011,10 mins
Dear Diary
Joan Bakewell celebrates the art of diary writing.
31 Dec 2010,10 mins
A Time for Empathy
Joan Bakewell wonders how we recover true empathy in a culture of self-regard.
17 Dec 2010,10 mins
Extreme Food
Joan Bakewell reflects on our current obsession with ever more elaborate food and cookery.
10 Dec 2010,10 mins
Living Forever
Joan Bakewell reflects on the process of ageing and the efforts of science to reverse it.
03 Dec 2010,10 mins
Sex and Religion
Joan Bakewell reflects on organised religion and secular society's attitudes to sex.
26 Nov 2010,10 mins
Reading for Free
Joan Bakewell reflects on the irreplaceable value of reading.
19 Nov 2010,10 mins
History through Religion
Sarah Dunant finds religion a powerful lens for a fresh look at history.
12 Nov 2010,10 mins
Traces of the Past
Sarah Dunant sees the balance between past and present epitomised at Kensington Palace.
05 Nov 2010,10 mins
Sarah Dunant: Tribute to Teachers
Sarah Dunant pays tribute to outstanding women teachers who inspired her own generation.
29 Oct 2010,10 mins
Conspicuous Consumption
Sarah Dunant reflects on public attitudes in the past to conspicuous consumption.
22 Oct 2010,10 mins
Baby Boomers
Sarah Dunant owns up to being part of the greediest generation - the baby boomers.
15 Oct 2010,10 mins
Student Psyche
Sarah Dunant reflects on the character of the new generation of students.
08 Oct 2010,10 mins
Huizinga and the human cost of cuts
Lisa Jardine puts an historical perspective on the upcoming government spending cuts.
01 Oct 2010,10 mins
Cakes and coupons
Lisa Jardine on the conflict between her twin passions - saving money and lavish baking.
24 Sep 2010,10 mins
The Sistine tapestries
Lisa Jardine reflects on the extraordinary tapestries in London for the Pope's visit.
17 Sep 2010,10 mins
Book Choice
Book-lover Lisa Jardine muses on her latest conversion to the e-book.
10 Sep 2010,10 mins
Memory and recall
Lisa Jardine reflects on memory and muses at her newly acquired facility to recite Horace.
03 Sep 2010,10 mins
Reputation Building
Lisa Jardine reflects on how reputations are won and lost.
27 Aug 2010,10 mins
A History of Fireworks
Lisa Jardine reflects on the history and political significance of fireworks.
10 mins
Women Behaving Badly
A weekly reflection on a topical issue.
20 Aug 2010,10 mins
A Pioneering Scientist
Lisa Jardine reflects on the colourful career of the founder of the British Museum.
06 Aug 2010,10 mins
New Old Fashioned
Lisa Jardine reflects on changing fashions in architecture over the last four centuries.
30 Jul 2010,10 mins
Endings of Empire
David Cannadine looks back at the ceremonies which marked the end of Britain's empire.
23 Jul 2010,10 mins
Special Elephants
David Cannadine traces the remarkable history of the Asian elephant.
16 Jul 2010,10 mins