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 9, 2003 • 42min
Bohemianism
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore 19th-century Parisian bohemianism, discussing art, sexual liberation, societal constraints, and financial struggles. They trace the evolution of the bohemian lifestyle from Paris to Bloomsbury and Chelsea, highlighting its impact on cultural hubs. The podcast delves into the romanticized image of bohemian life, the portrayal in literature and opera, contrasting reality with perception, and the evolving views on unconventional living.
Oct 2, 2003 • 42min
Maxwell
Discover the genius of James Clerk Maxwell, Scottish physicist whose equations revolutionized light, electricity, and magnetism. Explore Maxwell's early brilliance in mathematics, revolutionary theory of electromagnetism, impact on technology, and legacy in reshaping our view of reality. Unveil the significance of Maxwell's equations in unifying forces and paving the path for modern physics.
Jul 17, 2003 • 42min
The Apocalypse
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Apocalypse. George Bernard Shaw dismissed it as “the curious record of the visions of a drug addict” and if the Orthodox Christian Church had had its way, it would never have made it into the New Testament. But the Book of Revelation was included and its images of apocalypse, from the Four Horsemen to the Whore of Babylon, were fixed into the Christian imagination and its theology. As well as providing abundant imagery for artists from Durer to Blake, ideas of the end of the world have influenced the response to political, social and natural upheavals throughout history. Our understanding of history itself owes much to the apocalyptic way of thinking. But how did this powerful narrative of judgement and retribution evolve, and how does it still shape our thinking on the deepest questions of morality and history? With Martin Palmer, theologian and Director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education and Culture; Marina Benjamin, journalist and author of Living at the End of the World; Justin Champion, Reader in the History of Early Modern Ideas at Royal Holloway College, University of London.
Jul 10, 2003 • 42min
Nature
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the attempt to define humanity’s part in the natural world. In Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage Lord Byron wrote:“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore,There is society where none intrudes,By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:I love not man the less, but Nature more.” In the Bible’s book of Genesis, ‘nature’ was the paradise of Eden, but for the philosopher Thomas Hobbes it was a place of perpetual war, where the life of man was “solitary, poore, nasty, brutish and short”. The defining of Nature, whether “red in tooth and claw” or as the fount of all innocence, is an attempt to define man’s origins and purpose and humanity’s part in the natural world. With Jonathan Bate, Professor of English Literature at the University of Warwick; Roger Scruton, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Buckingham; Karen Edwards, Lecturer in English at the University of Exeter.
Jul 3, 2003 • 42min
Vulcanology
Exploring the history and causes of volcanoes, from the 79AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius to the modern-day impact of volcanic activity. Delving into the dynamics of volcanic eruptions, the hazards of pyroclastic flows, and the challenges of monitoring and predicting volcanic events. Discussing the historical fascination with volcanoes, their role in mass extinctions, and the potential threats of catastrophic volcanic tsunamis on the US East Coast and the Caribbean.
Jun 23, 2003 • 42min
The East India Company
Explore the rise and influence of the East India Company, from dominating the Indian subcontinent to reshaping British fashions. Delve into its profitable ventures in textiles and spices, its evolution from a trading entity to an imperial power, and the controversial practices that marked its legacy. Discover how a company managed to govern a country and the significant impact it had on both India and Britain.
Jun 19, 2003 • 42min
The Aristocracy
Exploring the rise and fall of the British aristocracy, from their dominance in society based on land and heredity, to their eventual decline. Discussing the influence of land ownership, wealth, and military service on their power. Delving into the aristocratic lifestyle, cultural impact, and evolving relationships with societal changes.
Jun 12, 2003 • 42min
The Art of War
Exploring the history and philosophy of warfare, the podcast delves into the constant presence of war in human lives. From Plato's ideal society without war to the evolution of just and unjust wars, the discussion also touches on Machiavelli's views and the transition to professionalized armies. The episode further explores the ethical dilemmas of war, the connection between virtues in war and peaceful virtues, and critiques Kant's notion of perpetual peace. Lastly, it delves into militarism, fascism, and social Darwinism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and explores diverse cultural views on warfare and international organizations.
Jun 5, 2003 • 28min
The Lunar Society
Exploring the Lunar Society's role in launching the Industrial Revolution, discovering oxygen, and pioneering evolution. Discussing the group's blend of religious dissent, entrepreneurial spirit, and intellectual adventure. Highlighting the impact of the Lunar Society on shaping society and the changing public opinions towards its members during the French Revolution.
May 29, 2003 • 28min
Memory
Melvyn Bragg and guests delve into the intricate workings of memory, discussing its role in shaping our identity. Topics include the different types of memory, sensory cues in memory retention, brain damage effects on memory, and childhood memories triggered by objects. The conversation explores the significance of early experiences and the crucial role of sleep in memory consolidation.
