Emily Herring, a writer and the niece of Richard Herring, dives deep into her book "Herald of a Restless World." She explores the life and ideas of philosopher Henri Bergson while shedding light on the underrepresented women in history. The conversation reveals the juxtaposition of humor and seriousness in discussing historical figures. They discuss how societal views on women have evolved, and the importance of being judgmental about historical narratives. Herring also reflects on the tension between science and spirituality, making for a thought-provoking dialogue.
The podcast discusses Eleanor Morton's exploration of women's historical representation, highlighting their often overlooked yet significant contributions beyond royalty.
The conversation about Henri Bergson underscores the relevance of his philosophy on change and laughter in addressing contemporary societal challenges.
Deep dives
Upcoming Live Events
The podcast announces exciting live events taking place in Birmingham and London, featuring guests like Ruth Hesco, Josh Pugh, and Ivo Graham. The host highlights the importance of audience engagement, urging fans to buy tickets to ensure the shows go ahead. A surprise guest is also hinted for the London event, adding an element of intrigue and spontaneity to the upcoming episodes. This focus on live performances emphasizes community connection and real-time interaction with listeners.
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A promotional segment discusses Boost Mobile's new nationwide 5G network, offering an enticing deal of unlimited talk, text, and data for just $25 a month, forever. This straightforward pricing plan includes transparency about potential slower speeds after 30 gigabytes of data usage. The relaxed approach to presenting the plan showcases the company's aim to attract customers looking for affordable and reliable mobile solutions. Overall, the messaging strategically communicates both value and ease of use for the consumer.
Philosophy and Bergson's Legacy
The podcast shifts focus to a discussion on the book 'The Herald of a Restless World' by Emily Herring, which explores the life and philosophy of Henri Bergson. The dialogue reveals Bergson's emphasis on the importance of change and time, contrasting with the static ideas prevalent in traditional philosophy. His influence on modern thought is highlighted, indicating a resurgence in interest in his ideas, particularly how they might relate to contemporary society's anxieties about technology and individuality. This investigation into a philosopher often overlooked provokes thought about the relevance of his theories to today’s challenges.
Bergson and Humor in Philosophy
The podcast delves into Bergson's perspective on laughter, highlighting his belief that humor deserves recognition as a significant aspect of human experience. This discussion touches on the intersection of art and biology within the context of comedy, suggesting laughter's evolutionary importance. The host and guest reflect on how intellectuals often dismiss comedy, yet Bergson's work seeks to elevate it within philosophical discourse. This insight resonates with audiences, emphasizing the human need for laughter amid the complexities of life.
Book Club #114 - Herald of a Restless World - Richard is not the only Herring to be a published author and his niece Emily comes on the podcast to talk about her impressive book about Henri Bergson, his life and philosophy. If like Richard you only know Bergson as a punchline to a Monty Python sketch then you will get to know a lot more about this unassuming and shy man who achieved rock star status as a philosopher. Rich and Emily chat about the Bergson’s respect for laughter and comedy, his fascination and sympathy with spiritualism, how he revolutionised philosophy and why he just as quickly faded from view, his death-bed lecture and the fellow lecturer who had his own talks disrupted by Bergson’s legions of fans.