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.

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.

Filmmaker Mike Figgis explores the intricate representations of evil, emphasizing how contemporary narratives can shape audience perceptions. Philosopher Robert Eaglestone discusses the moral implications of portraying violence in theater and the responsibilities artists bear. Author Joanna Kavenna reflects on the evolution of shock in art, wondering if real horrors evoke deeper emotional responses compared to fictional tales. They all examine art's role in commenting on historical atrocities and its significance in our understanding of evil.