Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the history of philosophy - from ancient Greek thinkers to the major questions that preoccupy philosophers today.
Episodes available:
Indefinitely 
Wed, 22 Jun 11
Duration:
43 mins
Melvyn Bragg discusses the ideas of Thomas Malthus, the Victorian clergyman whose work, 'An Essay on the Principle of Population', forecast that soon the population would outstrip food supply. His philosophy regarding population became known as 'Malthusianism'. But was there any truth in his predictions and what impact did his essay have at the time? Melvyn is joined by Karen O’Brien, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Birmingham; Mark Philp, Lecturer in Politics at the University of Oxford; and Emma Griffin, Senior Lecturer in History at the University of East Anglia.
Thu, 28 Apr 11
Duration:
43 mins
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss one of the most famous statements in philosophy: "Cogito ergo sum" or "I think therefore I am". With Susan James, John Cottingham and Stephen Mulhall.
Thu, 10 Mar 11
Duration:
43 mins
Do we have the freedom to control our actions? Melvyn Bragg discusses free will with Simon Blackburn, Helen Beebee and Galen Strawson.
Thu, 27 Jan 11
Duration:
42 mins
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the seminal work of literary criticism by Aristotle, his 'Poetics'. Full of advice about how to write and appreciate tragedy and epic poetry, the book had a huge influence on French renaissance drama and beyond. Melvyn is joined by Angie Hobbs, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Senior Fellow in the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Warwick; Nick Lowe is Reader in Classical Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London; and Stephen Halliwell, Professor of Greek at the University of St. Andrews.
Wed, 15 Dec 10
Duration:
43 mins
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient religion and philosophy, Daoism. Said to date from the 6th century BC when a wise man called Laozi wrote the 'Scripture of the Way and its Power', the 'Daodejing'; Daoism plays a significant role in Chinese culture in general and is now one of the most influential religions worldwide. Melvyn is joined by Tim Barrett, Professor of East Asian History at SOAS; Martin Palmer, Director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education and Culture; and Hilde De Weerdt,Fellow and Tutor in Chinese History at Pembroke College, University of Oxford.
Thu, 3 Jun 10
Duration:
43 mins
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the philosopher, politician and writer Edmund Burke. With guests Karen O’Brien, Richard Bourke and John Keane.
Thu, 8 Apr 10
Duration:
42 mins
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and works of the essayist William Hazlitt. With Jonathan Bate, Anthony Grayling and Uttara Natarajan.
Thu, 4 Feb 10
Duration:
43 mins
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 14th-century Arab philosopher of history Ibn Khaldun. With Hugh Kennedy, Robert Irwin and Robert Hoyland.
Thu, 14 Jan 10
Duration:
43 mins
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas and influence of the Frankfurt School. Guests include Jonathon Rée, Esther Leslie and Raymond Geuss.
Thu, 31 Dec 09
Duration:
42 mins
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft. With John Mullan, Barbara Taylor and Karen O’Brien.
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