Jessica Frazier

Exploring creation myths from Hindu, Greek, and Egyptian cultures, the podcast discusses the concept of a divine designer and how different civilizations perceive the origins of the universe. Delving into Daoist beliefs and David Hume's skepticism, the episode explores the mysteries of creation and the impact of science fiction on our understanding of the universe.

Join thinkers Richard Swinburne, an Oxford philosopher, Jessica Frazier, a religious studies scholar, Alex O’Connor, the CosmicSkeptic, and bioethicist Peter Singer for a lively debate on morality. They tackle pressing issues like animal rights, the ethics of same-sex relationships, and the cultural roots of morality. Expect a thought-provoking discussion that contrasts Eastern and Western views and explores the interplay between emotion and ethical reasoning. Prepare for humor amidst serious inquiries as they unravel the mystery of moral inclusion.

Jessica Frazier, a Professor of Theology at Trinity College, Oxford, and expert on Hindu studies, dives into the intriguing notion that our perception of separation is an illusion. She explores Indian monism, suggesting that recognizing our interconnectedness can free us from isolation and foster a deeper connection to the universe. Frazier also discusses how this perspective can reshape our identity and expand our understanding of reality, emphasizing the importance of exploring diverse philosophical traditions to enrich our thinking.

Dr Jessica Frazier discusses the concept of Self in ancient Hindu philosophy and yogic texts, exploring self construction, control systems, nature of self and emotions in Hindu worldviews, emotional life, dynamics and mechanics of self making, and the significance of self-improvement and practicing in Indian life.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, and of the traditions that have built around her for over 3,000 years. According to the creation story of the Puranas, she came to existence in the churning of the ocean of milk. Her prominent status grew alongside other goddesses in the mainly male world of the Vedas, as female deities came to be seen as the Shakti, the energy of the gods, without which they would be powerless. Lakshmi came to represent the qualities of blessing, prosperity, fertility, beauty and good fortune and, more recently, political order, and she has a significant role in Diwali, one of the most important of the Hindu festivals. With Jessica Frazier Lecturer in Religious Studies at the University of Kent Research Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies at the University of OxfordJacqueline Suthren-Hirst Senior Lecturer in South Asian Studies at the University of Manchesterand Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy at Lancaster UniversityProducer: Simon Tillotson.