French philosopher and social activist Simone Weil's complex life and philosophy discussed by experts. Her rejection of comfort for working class experience, belief that evil is evidence of God's love, and selfless love without expectations highlighted. Her early death and profound influence on thinkers like T.S Eliot and Albert Camus explored.

Delve into the ancient Upanishads, exploring profound questions about human existence and the cosmos. Discover the concepts of Brahman and Atman central to Hindu beliefs. Explore the diverse nature of the Upanishads, from poetic to scientific treatises. Learn about the legacy and global influence of these sacred texts on Western thought and culture.

Host Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss The Anarchy, a civil war in twelfth-century England. They explore the power struggle between Empress Matilda and King Stephen, the Battle of Lincoln, and the impact on England's governance. The podcast delves into Matilda's failed monarchy bid and the lasting effects of The Anarchy on England's rule.

Mathematicians throughout history have grappled with Fermat's Last Theorem, a puzzle left behind by Pierre de Fermat in 1637. The podcast explores the challenges faced in proving this theorem, including the contributions of Andrew Wiles in finally solving the puzzle in 1995. From Pythagoras' theorem to advancements in exponent powers and unique factorization failure, the podcast delves into the fascinating world of mathematics and the interconnected realm of mathematical conjectures.

Discover the life of William Caxton and his pioneering role in bringing the printing press to England. Learn about his strategic business moves, printing ventures, and how he built on Chaucer's literary legacy. Explore the evolution of printing business post-Caxton era and the impact of print on communication methods and authority of written words.

Explore the daring military tactics of Hannibal, including the legendary Alps crossing and Battle of Trebia. Learn about his rise as Carthage's legendary general and the outbreak of hostilities in the Hannibalic War. Delve into Hannibal's audacious Alpine crossing with war elephants and his strategic military tactics against the Romans. Reflect on his legacy and mythical status as a symbol of fear and destruction.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the medieval scholar Gerald of Wales. Born around the middle of the twelfth century, Gerald was a cleric and courtier. For much of his life he was close to Henry II and the Church hierarchy, and wrote accounts of official journeys he made around Wales and Ireland in their service. Both Anglo-Norman and Welsh by parentage, he had a unique perspective on the political strife of his age. Gerald's Journey Around Wales and Description of Ireland are among the most colourful and informative chronicles of the Middle Ages, and had a powerful influence on later historians.With:Henrietta Leyser Emeritus Fellow of St Peter's College, University of OxfordMichelle Brown Professor Emerita of Medieval Manuscript Studies at the School of Advanced Study, University of LondonHuw Pryce Professor of Welsh History at Bangor UniversityProducer: Thomas Morris.

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Ontological Argument. In the eleventh century St Anselm of Canterbury proposed that it was possible to prove the existence of God using reason alone. His argument was ridiculed by some of his contemporaries, but was analysed and improved by later thinkers including Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz. Other philosophers have been less kind, with the Enlightenment thinker David Hume offering one possible refutation. But the debate continued, fuelled by interventions from such heavyweights as Immanuel Kant and Kurt Gödel; and it remains one of the most discussed problems in philosophy.With:John Haldane Professor of Philosophy at the University of St AndrewsPeter Millican Professor of Philosophy at the University of OxfordClare Carlisle Lecturer in Philosophy of Religion at King's College LondonProducer: Thomas Morris.

The podcast delves into the mysterious world of Druids, their historical clash with Romans, the revival of Druidism in the 17th century, and the controversial archaeological findings hinting at sacrificial rituals by Druids. It explores their enigmatic language, leadership roles, and their mystical connection between gods and men.

Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the history and evolution of cells, from the first single-celled organisms to complex multicellular beings. They discuss the origins of cells on Earth, the three types of cells, the significance of cell membranes, the evolution of eukaryotic cells, and the process of protein synthesis. The conversation delves into cell specialization, evolutionary progressions, and the vital role cells play in sustaining life on our planet.