Nigel Biggar, Emeritus Regius Professor of Moral Theology at the University of Oxford and author of 'Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning', discusses the complexities of British colonialism. He challenges the purely negative narrative, highlighting Britain's role in abolishing slavery while addressing societal interpretations of history. Biggar shares his trials with publishing his book amidst censorship, emphasizing the need for nuanced discussions about colonial legacies and modern implications. This enlightening conversation critiques academic ideologies and the evolution of public discourse.
01:02:57
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Ignorance and Fear
Widespread ignorance of imperial history allows one-dimensional narratives of colonialism to dominate.
People fear being labeled racist or colonial apologists for challenging these narratives.
insights INSIGHT
Slavery and Abolition
Slavery was a near-universal historical institution, not unique to the British.
The British Empire was exceptional in its efforts to abolish and suppress both the slave trade and slavery itself.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Historical Revisionism
Some critics exhibit glee at the worst interpretations of British history.
This reflects a desire to undermine Western self-confidence, which concerns Biggar.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In this seminal work, Eric Williams contends that slavery played a crucial role in the rise of capitalism and the British Empire. He argues that the wealth generated from the slave trade and slavery fueled British industrial development, and that racism was a consequence of slavery rather than its cause. The book refutes traditional ideas of economic and moral progress, emphasizing the economic motivations behind the abolition of slavery and highlighting the agency of the enslaved in their own liberation. Williams's study is based on extensive historical research, including parliamentary debates, merchants’ papers, and abolitionist documents, and has had a profound impact on the scholarship of slavery and capitalism[1][4][5].
The Man Without Qualities
Robert Musil
The Man Without Qualities is a sprawling, philosophical novel that delves into the lives of various characters in Vienna during the final years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The protagonist, Ulrich, a 32-year-old mathematician and former military officer, is characterized by his indifference to life and his search for meaning. The novel explores a wide range of themes including truth vs. possibility, science vs. mysticism, and the ambiguity of human existence. It is known for its complex characters, such as the murderer Moosbrugger and the intellectual Arnheim, and its critique of societal values and the bureaucratic absurdities of the time. The book is notable for its lack of a dominant plot, instead focusing on the intellectual and philosophical musings of its characters[1][3][5].
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
Published in 1847, 'Wuthering Heights' is a novel that tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff, whom her father brings home to Wuthering Heights. The narrative, framed by the visitor Lockwood and the housekeeper Nelly Dean, explores themes of love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of life. Heathcliff's bitter vengeance against those who wronged him drives the plot, which spans generations and delves into the dark, passionate, and often destructive aspects of human nature. The novel is renowned for its dramatic and poetic presentation, its unique structure, and its vivid depiction of the Yorkshire moors as a reflection of the characters' inner lives.
Nigel Biggar CBE was Emeritus Regius Professor of Moral Theology at the University of Oxford and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Pusey House, Oxford. He holds a BA in Modern History from Oxford and a PhD in Christian Theology & Ethics from the University of Chicago. His most recent book 'Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning' was initially accepted by Bloomsbury, who later changed their mind claiming "public feeling on the subject does not currently support the publication of the book". The book was ultimately published by William Collins and has become a Sunday Times Bestseller.
Stand-up comedians Konstantin Kisin (@konstantinkisin) and Francis Foster (@francisjfoster) make sense of politics, economics, free speech, AI, drug policy and WW3 with the help of presidential advisors, renowned economists, award-winning journalists, controversial writers, leading scientists and notorious comedians.
TRIGGERnometry 
