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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Theologian Giles Fraser on Moral character
Giles Fraser on moral character and Aristotle's Virtue ethics
25 Nov 2014,12 mins
How Can I Tell Right From Wrong?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss different ideas of morality.
24 Nov 2014,12 mins
Philosopher Angie Hobbs on Beauty and Morality
Philosopher Angie Hobbs examines whether beautiful things are also moral.
21 Nov 2014,11 mins
Historian Simon Schaffer on Beauty and Evolution
Historian Simon Schaffer on whether evolutionary science explains the existence of beauty.
20 Nov 2014,11 mins
Vicky Neale on the Mathematics of Beauty
Mathematician Vicky Neale on the mathematics of beauty and the beauty of mathematics.
19 Nov 2014,11 mins
Barry Smith on the Philosophy of Good Taste
Philosopher Barry Smith on David Hume's ideas about cultivating good taste.
18 Nov 2014,11 mins
Why Are Things Beautiful?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss different ideas of beauty.
17 Nov 2014,11 mins
Neuroscientist Paul Broks on Free Will and the Brain
Paul Broks brings neuroscience to the philosophical question of whether we have free will.
14 Nov 2014,11 mins
Theologian Giles Fraser on Religious Freedom
Theologian Giles Fraser believes true freedom comes from accepting constraints in life.
13 Nov 2014,11 mins
Lawyer Harry Potter on Individual Freedom and the State
Barrister Harry Potter on John Stuart Mill's ideas about individual freedom and the state.
12 Nov 2014,11 mins
Philosopher Angie Hobbs on Positive and Negative Freedom
Angie Hobbs on Isaiah Berlin's distinction between positive and negative freedom.
11 Nov 2014,11 mins
What Does It Mean to Be Free?
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of ideas about freedom.
27 Oct 2014,11 mins