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Artwork for In Our Time: Philosophy

In Our Time: Philosophy

BBC Radio 4

From Altruism to Wittgenstein, philosophers, theories and key themes.

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157 episodes
Updated Apr 24, 2025

Episodes157

Dec 9, 2004 · 42 min
Machiavelli and the Italian City States
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli.
Dec 2, 2004 · 28 min
Jung
The extraordinary mind and theories of the psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung.
Oct 14, 2004 · 42 min
Rhetoric
Melvyn Bragg and guests discusses rhetoric; supported by Aristotle but reviled by Plato.
Oct 14, 2004 · 27 min
The Han Synthesis
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Han Synthesis philosophies of China.
Oct 7, 2004 · 42 min
Sartre
The life and work of French novelist, playwright and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.
Sep 30, 2004 · 28 min
Politeness
Melvyn Bragg examines the cultural effect of the eighteenth century idea of Politeness.
Jun 10, 2004 · 28 min
Empiricism
Melvyn Bragg examines the 17th century idea that all knowledge arises from experience.
May 6, 2004 · 42 min
Heroism
Melvyn Bragg explores what defines a hero, and their place in classical society.
Dec 4, 2003 · 42 min
Wittgenstein
The life, work and legacy of the 20th century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Nov 13, 2003 · 28 min
Duty
Melvyn Bragg examines duty, a concept that has excited philosophers through history.
Oct 9, 2003 · 42 min
Bohemianism
Melvyn Bragg examines the 19th century Parisian philosophy of life lived for art.
Jun 12, 2003 · 42 min
The Art of War
The history and philosophy of warfare throughout the ages.
Mar 20, 2003 · 41 min
Originality
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the creative force of originality.
Mar 13, 2003 · 28 min
Redemption
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss redemption, crucial for Judeo-Christian thought.
Dec 5, 2002 · 27 min
The Enlightenment in Scotland
Melvyn Bragg examines the emergence and impact of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Jul 4, 2002 · 28 min
Freedom
Melvyn Bragg considers what it is to be free and how freedom became such a powerful value.
Jun 6, 2002 · 28 min
The Soul
The history of thought on immortality, the self and the afterlife.
May 9, 2002 · 42 min
The Examined Life
Melvyn Bragg investigates how our preoccupations about how to live have altered over time.
Feb 28, 2002 · 42 min
Virtue
Melvyn Bragg explores the meaning and purpose of the philosophical concept of virtue.
Jan 24, 2002 · 28 min
Happiness
Melvyn Bragg considers whether 'happiness' means living a life of pleasure or of virtue.