Within Reason

Bear Grylls, a British adventurer and author, recounts his inspiration behind his book, The Greatest Story Ever Told, which retells Jesus' life from five unique perspectives. He discusses the challenge of transforming sparse gospel accounts into vivid narratives while preserving Jesus' words. The conversation dives into the coexistence of faith and doubt, the significance of various viewpoints, and the authenticity signals in the gospels. Bear also entertains thoughts on traveling back in time to witness pivotal moments from Jesus' life.

Andrew Mark Henry, a scholar of early Christianity and creator of the YouTube channel Religion for Breakfast, dives deep into the intriguing question of whether Jesus was an ancient magician. He explores the concept of ancient 'magic' versus modern interpretations, examines Celsus's critiques of Jesus's miracles, and discusses the implications of Jesus's portrayal in early Christian art. With insights into the role of charisma in exorcism and the production of magical texts, the conversation unveils the fascinating intersections of ritual, authority, and religious practice.

Emily Qureshi-Hurst, a Philosopher of Religion and Science at the University of Cambridge, delves into the intriguing intersection of physics and theology. She discusses whether the Bible predicts the Big Bang and the origins of biblical literalism. Emily explores how an atemporal God perceives time and the implications for free will. She challenges the coherence of biblical literalism and critiques the evolution versus design debate, all while sharing her personal journey as an atheist questioning deep theological issues.

Ben Thomas, known as Sisyphus55, is a YouTuber and author specializing in philosophy and existentialism. In this engaging discussion, he dives into the essence of existential crises, intertwining pain and alienation with personal growth. He explores the differences between existentialism and absurdism, and presents a compelling case for creating our own meaning. Ben also highlights the significance of eudaimonia, discusses trauma acceptance, and considers the possibility of being a happy nihilist, ultimately advocating for a cross-cultural understanding of philosophies.

Candida Moss, a historian of Christianity and author of The Myth of Persecution, dives into the intriguing question of whether early Christians were truly persecuted by Rome. She explores the complexities of martyrdom, revealing how the concept predates Christianity and how definitions vary. Moss challenges the traditional narrative of the Neronian persecution and examines how local prosecutions differed from systematic targeting. Ultimately, she argues that tales of martyrdom are often embellished, shaping Christian memory and rhetoric over centuries.

Bestselling author Robert Greene joins to explore profound topics such as near-death experiences and the nature of consciousness. He defines the sublime as a break from cultural limits, sharing how his own near-death experience reshaped his views on life and death. Greene dives into the clash between neuroscience and accounts of veridical near-death experiences, revealing a fascinating debate about the mind versus the brain. He also discusses practical ways to achieve sublime experiences without psychedelics, linking them to ancient rituals and modern human desires.

John Cottingham, a renowned English philosopher and Professor Emeritus at the University of Reading, dives deep into the world of René Descartes. The conversation uncovers Descartes' radical skepticism and the famous 'Cogito ergo sum.' Cottingham discusses the intricate relationship between perfection, knowledge, and God, exploring how our understanding of existence informs our beliefs. They also address the duality of mind and body, the historical significance of the pineal gland, and Descartes' controversial views on animal thought, all while reflecting on the enduring impact of his ideas.

Brant Pitre, a distinguished New Testament scholar at the Augustine Institute, dives deep into the complex web of Jesus' claims of divinity. He explores whether Jesus explicitly identified himself as God and the historical context of his actions, emphasizing their theological implications. Pitre examines the concept of blasphemy as it relates to Jesus' identity and the significance of worship associated with him. Listeners will enjoy detailed insights into early Christian beliefs and how they contrasted with traditional Jewish thought.

Jim Al-Khalili, an Iraqi-British theoretical physicist and popular science communicator, dives into the bizarre world of quantum physics. He unveils the paradoxes of quantum mechanics, touching on the double-slit experiment's implications. The discussion explores bird navigation through quantum biology and critiques common misconceptions tying quantum principles to consciousness. Al-Khalili also grapples with the relationship between time, entropy, and reality, raising profound questions about our understanding of the universe.

Joe Folley, a Cambridge philosophy graduate and creator of Unsolicited Advice, dives deep into the world of logic. He compares Aristotelian and Stoic logic, revealing how these foundations impact clarity in reasoning. The discussion also touches on the importance of validity versus soundness in arguments and the intriguing consequences of contradictions. Folley simplifies complex concepts like fuzzy and modal logic, while humorously exploring truth claims—like whether your mum knows about your orientation—making the exploration of logic both enlightening and entertaining.