James Warren

In a captivating discussion, Angie Hobbs, Fiona Leigh, and James Warren unravel Socrates' profound final days as portrayed in Plato's Crito and Phaedo. They delve into Socrates' unwavering commitment to his principles, emphasizing his decision not to escape prison. The guests explore his views on death as a liberation of the soul, and his compelling arguments for immortality, igniting a lively debate on the nature of existence. They also reflect on Socrates' calm demeanor amidst turmoil, revealing how his philosophy continues to inspire and challenge moral thought.

Join Marcus du Sautoy, a mathematics professor at Oxford, Barbara Sattler, a philosophy lecturer at St Andrews, and James Warren, an ancient philosophy reader at Cambridge, as they delve into the mind-bending world of Zeno's paradoxes. They explore his challenges to the notion of motion, including Achilles never catching the tortoise. Du Sautoy traces the implications for mathematics, while Sattler and Warren discuss the philosophical significance of these puzzles. Their conversation links ancient thinking to modern issues like infinity and discrete reality.

Angie Hobbs, David Sedley, and James Warren delve into Epicureanism, focusing on pleasure as life's goal, atom theory, friendship, and Lucretius's influence. The discussion includes Epicurean beliefs on free will, mental tranquility, therapeutic remedies for the soul, the impact on Roman culture, and the contrast with Christianity.

Angie Hobbs, a philosophy associate professor, Peter Adamson, an expert in ancient thought, and James Warren, a classics lecturer, dive into Heraclitus's world. They discuss his enigmatic views on change, famously asserting that nothing remains the same. The trio explores the unity of opposites, where life and death intertwine. They also unpack his intricate philosophy of perception and the 'logos' that connects everything. Finally, an entertaining anecdote about Heraclitus's quirky death sheds light on his unique character, blending humor with philosophical insight.

Angie Hobbs, a professor specializing in ancient philosophy, Fiona Leigh, an expert in Greek philosophy, and James Warren from Cambridge delve into Socrates' final days as depicted in Plato's Crito and Phaedo. They explore Socrates' unwavering principles despite his impending death, discussing themes of justice and moral dilemmas. The trio examines his compelling arguments for the soul's immortality, the liberation from the physical body, and the enduring influence of his teachings on society and philosophy. Socrates’ calm acceptance of death stands as a profound inspiration.