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
11 snips
Apr 24, 2014 • 47min
Tristram Shandy
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.
Apr 17, 2014 • 48min
The Domesday Book
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Domesday Book, a vast survey of the land and property of much of England and Wales completed in 1086. Twenty years after the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror sent officials to most of his new territories to compile a list of land holdings and to gather information about settlements, the people who lived there and even their farm animals. Almost without parallel in European history, the resulting document was of immense importance for many centuries, and remains a central source for medieval historians.With:Stephen Baxter
Reader in Medieval History at Kings College LondonElisabeth van Houts
Honorary Professor of Medieval European History at the University of CambridgeDavid Bates
Professorial Fellow in Medieval History at the University of East AngliaProducer: Thomas Morris.
Apr 10, 2014 • 48min
Strabo's Geographica
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Strabo's Geographica. Written almost exactly two thousand years ago by a Greek scholar living in Rome, the Geographica is an ambitious attempt to describe the entire world known to the Romans and Greeks at that time. Strabo seems to have based his book on accounts of distant lands given to him by contemporary travellers and imperial administrators, and on earlier works of scholarship by other Greek writers. One of the earliest systematic works of geography, Strabo's book offers a revealing insight into the state of ancient scholarship, and remained influential for many centuries after the author's death. With:Paul Cartledge
AG Leventis Professor of Greek Culture at the University of CambridgeMaria Pretzler
Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at Swansea UniversityBenet Salway
Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at UCLProducer: Thomas Morris.
Apr 3, 2014 • 47min
States of Matter
Chemistry professor Andrea Sella joins the discussion on the various states of matter beyond solids, liquids, and gases, exploring plasma and exotic phases like glasses and liquid crystals. The podcast delves into the complexities of molecular structures, phase transitions, material evolution from pure elements to alloys like steel, and the impact of industrial revolution on material science.
Mar 27, 2014 • 51min
Weber's The Protestant Ethic
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Max Weber's 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism', exploring the link between Protestantism and capitalism. They delve into Weber's analysis of the Protestant work ethic, the influence of Calvinism, the transition from traditional ethics to capitalism, and the enduring impact of religion on economic development.
Mar 20, 2014 • 47min
Bishop Berkeley
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Bishop Berkeley's immaterialism theory, his influence on later philosophers like Hume and Kant, fascination with optics and tar water, and the impact of his ideas on science and perception of reality.
Mar 13, 2014 • 42min
The Trinity
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Trinity. The idea that God is a single entity, but one known in three distinct forms - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - has been a central belief for most Christians since the earliest years of the religion. The doctrine was often controversial in the early years of the Church, until clarified by the Council of Nicaea in the late 4th century. Later thinkers including St Augustine and Thomas Aquinas recognised that this religious mystery posed profound theological questions, such as whether the three persons of the Trinity always acted together, and whether they were of equal status. The Trinity's influence on Christian thought and practice is considerable, although it is interpreted in different ways by different Christian traditions. With:Janet Soskice
Professor of Philosophical Theology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Jesus CollegeMartin Palmer
Director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education, and CultureThe Reverend Graham Ward
Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford and a Canon of Christ Church.Producer: Thomas Morris.
Mar 6, 2014 • 42min
Spartacus
Historian and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg and his guests delve into the intriguing life of Spartacus, the gladiator who led a slave rebellion against the Roman Republic. They discuss Rome's political instability, Spartacus' rise from slavery to rebellion, his strategic victories, and his lasting impact as a symbol of defiance and liberation throughout history.
Feb 27, 2014 • 42min
The Eye
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the eye's historical and scientific journey. From ancient beliefs of emitting light to Newton's experiments, they explore Greek theories, Renaissance anatomical perspectives, and Newton's self-experiments. The intersection of theology and science is discussed, alongside the mysteries of color perception.
Feb 20, 2014 • 42min
Social Darwinism
Exploring the controversial history and lasting influence of Social Darwinism, connection to eugenics and Nazis; Herbert Spencer's beliefs; Impact on societal views, women's rights, and race; Evolution of eugenics and racial theories; Intersections with communism and influence on literature.
