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
Nov 14, 2002 • 28min
Victorian Realism
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Victorian realism. Henry James said “Realism is what in some shape or form we might encounter, whereas romanticism is something we will never encounter”. A reaction against Romanticism, the realist novel presented life as it was in urbanized, industrial Britain. Attacked as ordinary, mundane, overly democratic and lacking the imaginative demands of poetry, its defendants argued that the ordinariness of life contained a complexity and depth previously unseen and unconsidered. At its best the realist novel was like life itself - complex in appearance, rich in character, diverse in outlook, teeming with ideas and operating on several levels. It was a forum for the confusions of the Victorian age over Christianity and Darwinism, economics, morality and psychology, yet it was also a domestic novel concerned with the individuality of human relationships. From the provincialism of George Eliot’s Middlemarch to Hardy’s bleak and brutal Wessex, Victorian Realism touched all the great Victorian authors, but can it truly be the touchstone of an age which produced the fantasy of Alice in Wonderland, the escapism of Tthe Waterbabies and the abundant grotesquerie of Dickensian London? With Philip Davis, Reader in English Literature at the University of Liverpool and author of The Victorians, a volume of the New Oxford English Literary History; A.N. Wilson,novelist, biographer and author of The Victorians; Dinah Birch; Fellow and tutor in English at Trinity College, Oxford.
Nov 7, 2002 • 42min
Human Nature
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the vexing issue of human nature. Some argue that we are born as blank slates and our natures are defined by upbringing, experience, culture and the ideas of our time. Others believe that human nature is innate and pre-destined, regardless of time and place. Is there really such a thing as human nature? And, if there is, can it be changed? Does the truth about human nature mean we should stop striving for progress, or should it give us cause for optimism? How important is the human race in the wider scheme of things? With Steven Pinker, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Centre of Cognitive Neuroscience, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Janet Radcliffe Richards, Philosopher, Reader in Bioethics, University College London; John Gray, Professor of European Thought, London School of Economics.
Oct 31, 2002 • 42min
Architecture and Power
From castles to skyscrapers, architecture reflects power and identity. Rulers and architects throughout history sought to leave lasting legacies. London's urban planning and architectural landscape mirror power dynamics. Architecture evolves with social changes and societal values. Modern cities showcase power, capitalism, and architectural influence.
Oct 24, 2002 • 28min
The Scientist
Explore the historical evolution of science and the concept of a scientist, from natural philosophers to modern figures like Newton and Darwin. Discuss the influence of the Royal Society and the transition to professional scientists in the 19th century. Reflect on public perceptions of science, the canonization of scientists, and the need for public education on scientific discovery.
Oct 17, 2002 • 28min
Slavery and Empire
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the intertwined history of slavery and empire in Britain. They explore the complexities of Britain's imperial project, debating whether it was a civilising mission or a brutal business. The guests delve into the connections between power dynamics, trade, exploitation, and the impact of the British Empire on the global abolition of the slave trade.
Jul 18, 2002 • 42min
Heritage
Melvyn Bragg discusses the role of history and heritage in shaping British national identity, highlighting the evolving perspectives on truth-seeking in history. The conversation explores the politicization of heritage, contrasting views on land ownership, and engaging younger audiences in historical sites. Reflecting on the changing narratives of national identity, the discussion emphasizes the influence of literature, politics, and cultural movements in shaping collective memory. Exploring the evolution of historical analysis, the focus shifts from general systems of explanation to individual agency, unraveling causal mechanisms and cultural history. Delving into diverse global perspectives and generational changes, the conversation examines the shifting landscape of historical interests and national identity in England and Britain.
Jul 11, 2002 • 29min
Psychoanalysis and Democracy
Exploring Freud's views on group psychology, dictatorship, and democracy in the context of the rise of psychoanalysis. Discussing Freud's political metaphors in psychology, his correspondence with Einstein on civilization and instincts, and the importance of embracing conflicts and evolving perspectives in psychoanalysis. Highlighting the significance of disagreement in democracy for a healthy society.
Jul 4, 2002 • 28min
Freedom
Melvyn Bragg and guests explore the concept of freedom throughout history, from debates on natural freedom to the role of laws in preserving liberty. They discuss the conflicting views on freedom in ancient Greece, philosophical conceptions of free will and divine power, paradoxes of freedom during the French Revolution, and the interplay between rights and freedom in American history.
Jun 27, 2002 • 28min
Cultural Imperialism
Exploring the roots of cultural imperialism, the podcast discusses how power is wielded through values and institutions. It delves into historical instances like the Greeks leveraging culture for dominance and the Roman Empire's influence in Western Europe. It challenges the belief in nation-states as the ideal social structure and explores the response of societies to dominant cultural forces, highlighting American imperialism and the spread of English as a world language.
Jun 20, 2002 • 28min
Wagner
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life of composer Richard Wagner, his impact on opera, his political beliefs, struggles with poverty, and controversial legacy tainted by anti-Semitism. They explore his vision for a unified Germany through culture, his revolutionary ideologies, influence on philosophy, and the debate surrounding his anti-Semitism.
