Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss self-examination. Socrates, the Greek philosopher of the 4th century BC, famously declared that "The unexamined life is not worth living." His drive towards rigorous self-enquiry and his uncompromising questioning of assumptions laid firm foundations for the history of Western Philosophy. But these qualities did not make him popular in ancient Athens: Socrates was deemed to be a dangerous subversive for his crime, as he described it, of "asking questions and searching into myself and other men". In 399 BC Socrates was sentenced to death on the charge of being "an evil-doer and a curious person". Two thousand years later, the novelist George Eliot was moved to reply to Socrates that "The unexamined life may not be worth living, but the life too closely examined may not be lived at all". For Eliot too much self-scrutiny could lead to paralysis rather than clarity. What did Socrates mean by his injunction? How have our preoccupations about how to live altered since the birth of ancient Greek philosophy? And where does philosophy rank in our quest for self-knowledge alongside science, the arts and religion? With Dr Anthony Grayling, Reader in Philosophy, Birkbeck, University of London; Janet Radcliffe Richards, Philosopher of Science and Reader in Bioethics, University College, London; Julian Baggini, Editor, The Philosopher’s Magazine and co-editor of New British Philosophy: The Interviews.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the mind/body problem in philosophy. At the start of René Descartes' Sixth Meditation he writes: "there is a great difference between mind and body, inasmuch as body is by nature always divisible, and mind is entirely indivisible. For when I consider the mind, or myself in so far as I am merely a thinking thing, I am unable to distinguish many parts within myself; I understand myself to be something quite single and complete. Although the whole mind seems to be united to the whole body, I recognize that if a foot or an arm or any other part of the body is cut off nothing has thereby been taken away from the mind".This thinking is the basis of what's known as 'Cartesian dualism', Descartes' attempt to address one of the central questions in philosophy, the mind/body problem: is the mind part of the body, or the body part of the mind? If they are distinct, then how do they interact? And which of the two is in charge?With Anthony Grayling, Reader in Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London; Julian Baggini, editor of The Philosophers' Magazine; Sue James, Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London.

Philosopher Anthony Grayling, known for his engaging writing, discusses vital issues with Lawrence Krauss. They dive into the implications of Brexit and the current state of democracy worldwide. Grayling critiques populism and the impact of social media on political discourse. He emphasizes the critical role of youth in activism, especially regarding climate change. The conversation also advocates for humanism as a fulfilling alternative to traditional religion while underscoring the importance of rational inquiry and scientific literacy in democracy.

Join Anthony Grayling, a leading philosopher, Francis Wheen, a journalist and Marx biographer, and Gareth Stedman Jones, a political science expert, as they dive deep into the life and legacy of Karl Marx. They discuss the resurgence of Marx's ideas in today's society, and the enduring impact of his writing, particularly the Communist Manifesto. The conversation sheds light on his philosophical evolution, the significance of class struggle, and how his theories relate to modern capitalism. Discover why Marx remains a relevant figure in contemporary discussions.

Philosophers Angie Hobbs, Simon Blackburn, and Anthony Grayling delve into the age-old debate on happiness. They explore whether true happiness arises from pleasure or virtue, referencing historical figures like Horace and Thrasymachus. The trio examines Eudaimonia's concept, contrasting perspectives from Plato and Aristotle. They also discuss Epicurus's views on pleasure versus Stoicism's composure amid adversity. The conversation links ancient insights to modern expectations of health, wealth, and the enigmatic quest for genuine contentment.