In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 23, 1999 • 28min
Atrocity in the 20th Century
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the widespread and chilling atrocities of the 20th century. Just over a hundred years ago, in the ‘Genealogy of Morals’, Nietzsche wrote “there can be no doubt that morality will gradually perish: this is the great spectacle in a hundred acts reserved for the next two centuries in Europe”. What if he is right? Certainly the twentieth century can claim the bitter palm of being the century with the biggest body count, the most advanced savagery, the finest of death delivery systems and, in that sense, the true Dark Ages of humankind. For inhumanity there has never been a century like it in the history of man: 58 million people died in the slaughter of two world wars. Stalinist Russia killed 20 million of its own people. The Nazis killed 6 million Jews. 2 million people were killed in Vietnam, 3 million in Korea, and in 1994 in Rwanda 1 million ordinary people were suddenly turned on and killed by their neighbours. And all the while in this bloody century the private and individual murder of one human by another has risen inexorably.What are the conditions that allow man to be inhuman to man on such a scale? And can a scientific study of the mind ever uncover the routes of inhumanity or evil?With Jonathan Glover, philosopher and Director of the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics, King’s College, London; Dr Gwen Adshead, consultant psychiatrist, Broadmoor Special Hospital.
Oct 21, 1999 • 28min
The Individual
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of the concept of the individual. The Renaissance gave birth to the concept of the individual. Shakespeare defined this individual in language which accepted the primacy of the male gender: “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! In form, in moving, how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a God!” According to Michel Foucault, French philosopher, polar opposite of Shakespeare and backed as he thought by Marx and Freud, our century killed the individual off. But has it? Was the individual born a mere six hundred years ago and has the century tolled its bell? And what is the individual?With Richard Wollheim, Professor of Philosophy, University of California in Berkeley; Jonathan Dollimore, Professor of English, York University.
Oct 14, 1999 • 28min
The Nation State
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Nation State. When we speak of our island story which island do we mean? When did England elide with Britain and why does it sit uneasily alongside the United Kingdom? At the end of the 20th century, the identity of one of the most forceful countries of the millennium is subject to scrutiny, doubt and criticism. What is England now? When did it act as England and not Britain, or the UK, or the British Isles? And how does its new role fit in with the idea of the Nation State which has dominated the internal and, more dramatically, the external behaviour of many powerful countries over the last few centuries? Yet despite its mighty past the Nation State itself can now seem powerless against the forces of globalisation. With Norman Davies, Emeritus Professor, London University and author of The Isles: A History; Andrew Marr, former editor of The Independent and author of Ruling Britannia: the Failure and Future of British Democracy.
Oct 7, 1999 • 28min
Utopia
Delving into the concept of utopia, this podcast explores the idea of a perfect society that has captured humanity's imagination for centuries. It discusses the allure of utopian ideals despite their non-existence, the impact of fascism and communism, and the reflection of present and future aspirations in fictional utopias. The discussion also touches on the authoritarian nature of many utopian visions, the challenges utopian communities face in balancing individual and communal goals, and the ethical implications of genetic engineering for achieving utopian concepts.
Sep 30, 1999 • 28min
Maths and Storytelling
Mathematician John Allen Paulos and novelist Marina Warner discuss the fascinating relationship between maths and storytelling. They explore the hidden mathematical logic in stories, the origins of both in our ancestors' need to measure the world, and the possibility of applying mathematical logic to literature. The podcast delves into the formalist approach of analyzing folk tales, the intersection of mathematics and humor in jokes, and the link between mathematics, language, and storytelling.
Sep 23, 1999 • 28min
Genetic Determinism
Exploring the impact of Mendel and Darwin on modern biology, genetic determinism raises questions about genes determining fate. Critics challenge 'genetic determinism' while others blame behavior on 'criminal genes'. Genetics delves into inheritance, but is it solely about genes?
20 snips
Jul 22, 1999 • 28min
Pain
Neurologists discuss the subjective experience of pain and its connection to human consciousness. Rethinking pain theories from Descartes to modern dynamic views. Exploring the complexities of pain perception, including cases of pain without physical damage. Delving into phantom pain, the placebo effect, and cultural influences on pain perception. Exploring physical causes of pain, phantom limb pain, and the interconnected nature of sensations and perception.
Jul 15, 1999 • 28min
Truth, Lies and Fiction
Elena Lappin questions the truth in the acclaimed Holocaust memoir 'Fragments'. The debate delves into authenticity in literature, the impact of historical forgery on survivors, and the blurred lines between truth and fiction in storytelling.
Jul 8, 1999 • 28min
Africa
Exploring Africa's past and present, the podcast challenges Western stereotypes and highlights the continent's rich intellectual heritage. Discussions on Europe's influence, African identity politics, and cultural values offer a nuanced view of Africa beyond clichés.
Jul 1, 1999 • 28min
Intelligence
Melvyn Bragg and guests ponder the concept of intelligence, delving into the historical roots of IQ tests, the debate over innate vs. developed intelligence, and the impact of intelligence on eugenics and racism. They discuss the complexities of measuring intelligence, including the controversy surrounding IQ tests and the evolving understanding of cognitive abilities. The conversation also explores the evolution of human intelligence, the influence of cultural tools on intelligence, and the potential physical basis of intelligence, considering ethical implications and future developments.
