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A History of Ideas Episodes

  1.

    Neuropsychologist Paul Broks on Wittgenstein

    Paul Broks looks at the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein and the problem of 'other minds'.

  2. Philosopher Clare Carlisle on Reality and Perception

    Clare Carlisle grapples with Bishop Berkley's idea that objects only exist in our minds.

  3. Physicist Tara Shears on Falsification

    How can we separate real science from mumbo jumbo? Physicist Tara Shears investigates.

  4. Lawyer Harry Potter on Eyewitness Testimony

    Barrister Harry Potter on whether we can believe our eyes.

  5. How Can I Know Anything at All?

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how we can know anything at all.

  6. Writer Lisa Appignanesi on the Love of Children

    How should we love our children? Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau had some great ideas.

  7. Psychotherapist Mark Vernon on Freud

    What is love? Psychotherapist Mark Vernon looks at Freud's ideas on the Greek god Eros.

  8. Theologian Giles Fraser on Altruism

    Giles Fraser discusses gene theory versus altruism with Tom Stoppard and Armand Leroi.

  9. Classicist Edith Hall on Aristophanes in Plato

    Classicist Edith Hall on Aristophanes's explanation of love.

  10. What Is Love?

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of ideas around love.

  11. Philosopher Timothy Secret on Ancestor Worship

    Timothy Secret on Confucius. To live well together we must first consider the dead.

  12. Philosopher Angie Hobbs on Plato's Philosopher Kings

    Angie Hobbs asks if the ideal state would be run by philosophers not politicians.

  13. Economist Kate Barker on the Free Market

    Is a free market the best foundation for a fair, dynamic society?

  14. Historian Justin Champion on Toleration

    Professor Justin Champion examines Locke's Letter on Toleration.

  15. How Should We Live Together?

    Melvyn Bragg and guests debate how we should live together.

  16. Philosopher Barry Smith on Descartes and Consciousness

    Philosopher Barry Smith explores ideas about consciousness.

  17. Philosopher Jules Evans on Jung and the Mind

    Jules Evans explores Jung and the shadow inside all of us.

  18. Writer AL Kennedy on Sartre and the Individual

    Writer AL Kennedy explores existentialist ideas about the individual.

  19. 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.

  20. What Does It Mean to Be Me?

    Barry Smith, Paul Broks, AL Kennedy and Jules Evans discuss the self.

  21. Historian Alice Taylor on Habeas Corpus

    Historian Alice Taylor on the slippery justice of extrajudicial detention.

  22. Thomas Hobbes and Civil Disobedience

    Criminologist David Wilson looks at Thomas Hobbes and his 'social contract' theory.

  23. Philosopher Angie Hobbs on the Veil of Ignorance

    Angie Hobbs, Leif Wenar and David Runciman debate and explore the ideas of John Rawls.

  24. Barrister Harry Potter on Deterrence

    In this edition of a series of programmes on justice, Harry Potter examines deterrence.

  25. What Is Justice?

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss ideas about justice.

  26. Ayn Rand and Selfishness

    Neuropsychologist Paul Broks looks at the idea of leading a good life by being selfish.

  27. Naomi Appleton on the Buddha's Four Noble Truths

    Naomi Appleton explores the Buddha's Four Noble Truths.

  28. 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

  29. Philosopher Jules Evans on Aristotle and Flourishing

    Philosopher Jules Evans asks Gus O'Donnell how to measure the good life.

  30. How Do I Live a Good Life?

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how to live a good life.

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