Context with Brad Harris

Carl Sagan was a brilliant popularizer of science.  His book, The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, helps to inspire clear thinking when chaos reigns supreme.  Here, I share my thoughts on the important themes of that work.   To access bonus episodes and all regular episodes ad-free, join me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/context Learn more at https://bradharris.com  

There is an overlooked rule in history: far more is lost and forgotten than is preserved and remembered. Humanity has made incredible progress - we know more and we’re more powerful than we’ve ever been. But, are we getting wiser?  What if our ignorance outgrows our potential? What happens when rich and powerful societies lose their wisdom and forget what made them great in the first place?  It's happened before, and there is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by historian Stephen Greenblatt that tells the tale, titled, The Swerve: How the World Became Modern. Here, we look to this book for insight on how a paradise of wisdom was once lost. To help support Context and access bonus episodes, visit patreon.com/context. For more information, visit bradharris.com.

Explore the birth of the modern concept of facts through the clash between Thomas Hobbes and Robert Boyle. Discover how their battle shaped our understanding of objective truth. Dive into the interconnection of knowledge and social order, and the clash of scientific philosophies between Boyle's experimentation and Hobbes' medieval assumptions.

Historian Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen and host Brad Harris discuss discerning truth through history and philosophy. Topics include American Enlightenment ideas, objective vs pragmatic truth, and the balance of liberty and equality in American society. They delve into the impact of ideas on history, the challenges of postmodernism, and the role of authority in society. The conversation also covers pragmatism, scientific progress, and the relationship between faith and science in the late 19th century.

Listen to influential writer Allan Bloom discuss 'The Closing of the American Mind' and the battle against moral relativism in education. Bloom emphasizes the importance of cultivating the search for the best ideas over being open to all. Dive into the evolution of thought from Enlightenment to postmodernism, Allan Bloom's critique of American education, concerns about relativism, and the pursuit of truth in a diverse society.

In this episode, we witness the debate that raged over the birth of what is perhaps the most powerful idea in history; the idea that supports our ability to make the world a better place, and the idea that defines the meaning of America. This is the idea that conversation, that argument, that free expression represent the best path to progress and to justice for all, and that to institutionalize this idea via a Constitutional right to the freedom of speech is the best way to preserve a prosperous society. A historian named Joseph Ellis captured the story of that debate in Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, which won the Pulitzer Prize in History, and in this episode we’re going to learn why this most prestigious honor was so well deserved. To help support Context and access bonus episodes, visit https://www.patreon.com/context Learn more at https://bradharris.com  

Niall Ferguson, a leading historian known for his insights on applying historical lessons to today's challenges, dives into intriguing discussions. He tackles the troubling gap between generations, highlighting economic burdens and the allure of socialism among youths. The conversation also explores the importance of integrating historical perspectives in policymaking and critiques current trends in history education. Ferguson draws parallels between the impact of the printing press and today's social media, reflecting on their roles in shaping society.

Historian Niall Ferguson discusses the disruptive power of social networks throughout history, from Freemasons to Facebook. He contrasts hierarchies with networks and emphasizes their impact on major historical events. The podcast explores the dynamics of networks and hierarchies, the transformative power of the printing press, and the importance of regulating social media in the digital age.

Explore the logic of history by analyzing human biology, sociology, and geography. Discover the impact of climate change, the rise of states, and the devastating consequences of measles and smallpox outbreaks. Compare the social development of the East and the West, and learn about the military revolution in the West and the profitable transatlantic trade.

Bryan Ward-Perkins, author of The Fall of Rome, and the End of Civilization, discusses the horrors of the fall of Rome and challenges the idea of a smooth transition. He highlights the importance of combining archaeology and history to understand Roman civilization. The disappearance of pottery-making and decline in livestock size during the fall of Rome are explored. Pollution levels in the Roman Empire and external pressures on Rome are also discussed.