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.

Melvyn Bragg, a discussant on various topics, delves into the life and work of Alexander Pope on the podcast. They discuss Pope's witty satire, financial savvy, and transformation from an outsider to a major literary figure. The conversation explores Pope's resilience, strategic dealings with publishers, and cultural impact, raising questions about his relevance in modern times.

Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into 'The Odyssey' by Homer, exploring its enduring appeal and universal themes. They discuss Odysseus' character, Penelope's challenges, deception, and manipulation in the epic. The podcast touches on the narrative structure, historical context, and feminist perspectives on the story.

Science enthusiast Melvyn Bragg and guests dive into the flaws of taxonomy, inspired by Borges' absurd animal categorizations. They discuss Linnaeus' influence, Darwin's evolutionary perspective, perfect archetypes, museum organization, and the clash between Darwin and Linnaeus on species classification and natural selection.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Laurence Sterne's novel Tristram Shandy. They explore its bawdy humor, bold literary experiments, and enduring influence. Topics include the novel's controversial nature, its impact on the evolution of literary form, and its exploration of masculinity. The podcast delves into Sterne's family background, the intersection of church, politics, and family support, and the installment release of the novel. Sterne's unconventional path to novel writing and the unique narrative structure are also highlighted.

Join Melvyn Bragg as he explores the profound philosophy of Stoicism with Angie Hobbs, Jonathan Rée, and David Sedley. Delve into the origins of Stoicism, its influence on Roman thinkers, and its impact on modern thought. Discover how Stoicism promotes inner resilience, acceptance of fate, and alignment with divine reason, with insights on famous Stoic figures like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Uncover the philosophical connections between Stoicism, Christianity, and Victorian England, and ponder the enduring legacy of this ancient philosophy.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Muses and their role in Greek mythology, when they were goddesses of poetry, song, music and dance: what the Greeks called mousike, 'the art of the Muses' from which we derive our word 'music.' While the number of Muses, their origin and their roles varied in different accounts and at different times, they were consistently linked with the nature of artistic inspiration. This raised a question for philosophers then and since: was a creative person an empty vessel into which the Muses poured their gifts, at their will, or could that person do something to make inspiration flow? WithPaul Cartledge Emeritus Professor of Greek Culture and AG Leventis Senior Research Fellow at Clare College, University of CambridgeAngie Hobbs Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy, University of SheffieldAndPenelope Murray Founder member and retired Senior Lecturer, Department of Classics, University of WarwickProducer: Simon TillotsonImage: 'Apollo and the Muses (Parnassus)', 1631-1632. Oil on canvas. Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665).

Melvyn Bragg discusses the role of Freudian analysis in literature with guests. They explore the relationship between psychoanalysis and literature, questioning if psychoanalysis can be reclassified as literature itself. The conversation delves into the impact of Freud's work on contemporary literary thinking and the emotional essence conveyed through literary masterpieces.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They explore the debate for a strong national government, the significance of political leaders' views on national cooperation, the creation of a new Constitution, the analysis of Federalist 10 on Republican democracy, and the impact and significance of the Federalist Papers on the U.S. Constitution.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss William Shakespeare's famous tragedy, written in the early 1590s after a series of histories and comedies. His audience already knew the story of the feuding Capulets and Montagues in Verona and the fate of the young lovers from their rival houses, but not how Shakespeare would tell it and, with his poetry and plotting, he created a work so powerful and timeless that his play has shaped the way we talk of love, especially young love, ever since.The image above is of Mrs Patrick Campbell ('Mrs Pat') as Juliet and Johnson Forbes-Robinson as Romeo in a scene from the 1895 production at the Lyceum Theatre, LondonWithHelen Hackett Professor of English Literature at University College LondonPaul Prescott Professor of English and Theatre at the University of California MercedAndEmma Smith Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Hertford College, University of OxfordProducer: Simon Tillotson