Robert Eaglestone

In a programme first broadcast in 2017, Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the political philosophy of Hannah Arendt. She developed many of her ideas in response to the rise of totalitarianism in the C20th, partly informed by her own experience as a Jew in Nazi Germany before her escape to France and then America. She wanted to understand how politics had taken such a disastrous turn and, drawing on ideas of Greek philosophers as well as her peers, what might be done to create a better political life. Often unsettling, she wrote of 'the banality of evil' when covering the trial of Eichmann, one of the organisers of the Holocaust.WithLyndsey Stonebridge Professor of Modern Literature and History at the University of East AngliaFrisbee Sheffield Lecturer in Philosophy at Girton College, University of CambridgeandRobert Eaglestone Professor of Contemporary Literature and Thought at Royal Holloway, University LondonProducer: Simon Tillotson.

Join Robert Eaglestone, a professor of Contemporary Literature, Frisbee Sheffield, a philosophy lecturer, and Lyndsey Stonebridge, a modern literature expert, as they unravel the legacy of Hannah Arendt. They discuss her profound insights on totalitarianism, the concept of the 'banality of evil,' and how her personal experiences shaped her political thought. The conversation highlights Arendt's philosophical ties to Greek thinkers and her call for active civic engagement as a defense against tyranny. Prepare for a riveting exploration of moral thought and politics!

In this thought-provoking discussion, filmmaker Mike Figgis, known for his explorations of complex themes, joins philosopher Robert Eaglestone to dissect the nature of evil in contemporary society. They tackle whether art has the power to vanquish evil and how a secular culture impacts our understanding of morality. The conversation delves into the banality of evil, illustrating how everyday life intertwines with moral issues, and challenges how artists can effectively portray these subtleties in their work.