4th century BC
6 episodes
Aristotle's Poetics
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Aristotle's Poetics, the first and arguably most influential work of literary theory in history.
27 January 2011
Featuring: Angie Hobbs, Nick Lowe, Stephen Halliwell
Demosthenes' Philippics
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ferocious speeches Demosthenes gave to stir up his fellow Athenians against their enemy Philip II of Macedon and so abandon appeasement.
17 November 2022
Featuring: Paul Cartledge, Kathryn Tempest, Jon Hesk
Epicureanism
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Epicureanism, the system of philosophy based on the teachings of Epicurus and founded in the 4th century BC.
7 February 2013
Featuring: Angie Hobbs, David Sedley, James Warren
Logic
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the history of logic, the study of reasoning and argument.
21 October 2010
Featuring: A. C. Grayling, Peter Millican, Rosanna Keefe
Plato's Symposium
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Plato's Symposium, one of the Greek philosopher's best-known works and an influential text about the nature of love.
2 January 2014
Featuring: Angie Hobbs, Richard L. Hunter, Frisbee Sheffield
The Examined Life
Melvyn Bragg discusses what self-examination through philosophy can teach us about living our lives, and where it ranks in our quest for self-knowledge alongside science, the arts and religion.
9 May 2002
Featuring: A. C. Grayling, Janet Radcliffe Richards, Julian Baggini
