Aphorists
An aphorism (from Greek ἀφορισμός: aphorismos, denoting 'delimitation', 'distinction', and 'definition') is a concise, terse, laconic, or memorable expression of a general truth or principle. They are often handed down by tradition from generation to generation.
12 episodes
Episodes in this category also belong to the following categories:
CultureHistoryPhilosophyFellows of the Royal SocietyOntologistsSocial philosophersFellows of the American Academy of Arts and SciencesPhilosophy writersPhilosophers of literaturePhilosophers of mindTheorists on Western civilizationPhilosophers of historyWriters about activism and social changeMetaphysiciansPhilosophers of culturePhilosophers of religionPhilosophers of scienceMembers of the American Philosophical SocietySonneteersEpistemologistsAge of EnlightenmentCritics of the Catholic ChurchPhilosophers of educationRecipients of the Copley MedalWriters about religion and scienceAtheist philosophersGerman male non-fiction writersPhilosophers of law20th-century atheistsNobel laureates in LiteraturePhilosophers of social science19th-century German male writers19th-century German philosophersChristian humanistsExistentialistsMetaphilosophersPhilosophers of mathematicsPhilosophers of psychologyWriters from Paris20th-century French philosophersFrench atheistsFrench political philosophersGerman male essayistsGerman philosophers of historyGerman political philosophersHall of Fame for Great Americans inducteesHonorary members of the Saint Petersburg Academy of SciencesLogiciansPhilosophers of logicPhilosophers of lovePhilosophers of sexuality19th-century atheistsAmerican male non-fiction writersCatholic philosophersChristian radicalsCritics of work and the work ethicGerman philosophers of artGerman philosophers of cultureLiteracy and society theoristsPeople celebrated in the Lutheran liturgical calendarPhilosophers of artVictorian novelists19th-century German essayists19th-century pseudonymous writers20th-century essayistsAlumni of Trinity College DublinAmerican people of English descentAnti-consumeristsBurials at Père Lachaise CemeteryChristian ethicistsCritics of religionsFormer Roman CatholicsFounders of religionsFrench philosophers of educationFrench philosophers of scienceGerman ethicists, German philosophers of educationIrish male dramatists and playwrightsIrish male poetsLiterary theoristsModernist writersPeople whose existence is disputedPhilosophers of technologySimple living advocatesTheoretical historiansVictorian poets19th-century German male musicians19th-century male writers20th-century French novelistsAnti-nationalistsChristian poetsConversationalistsFrench male non-fiction writersFrench philosophers of cultureFrench philosophers of historyFrench socialistsGerman philosophers of languageGerman philosophers of scienceIrish expatriates in FranceIrony theoristsJewish socialistsLegion of Honour refusalsLeipzig University alumniMetaphysics writersPeople associated with electricityPhenomenologistsPhilosophers of deathPhilosophers of warPolitical realistsRhetoric theoristsTrope theoristsUniversity of Göttingen alumniWriters of Gothic fictionÉcole Normale Supérieure alumni19th-century French philosophers19th-century German non-fiction writers19th-century German writers20th-century translatorsAmerican political philosophersAnglo-Irish artists, Irish fantasy writersBisexual male writersBisexual novelistsClassical humanistsCritical theoristsCritics of JudaismCritics of atheismFabulistsFrench LGBTQ novelistsFrench Nobel laureatesFrench epistemologistsFrench literary criticsFrench philosophers of artFrench sociologistsGerman critics of ChristianityGerman philosophers of mind, German philosophers of religionIndependent scientistsIrish male novelistsLGBTQ Roman CatholicsLibertarian socialistsMetaphor theoristsPhilosophers of pessimism17th-century Christian mystics18th-century American writers, Founding Fathers of the United States, People of the American Enlightenment18th-century pseudonymous writers19th-century German novelists19th-century Irish dramatists and playwrights, 19th-century Irish poets, Symbolist dramatists and playwrights19th-century deaths from tuberculosis19th-century essayists19th-century mystics20th-century deaths from tuberculosis20th-century mystics5th-century BC historiansAbsurdist writersAcademic staff of the Humboldt University of BerlinActivists for African-American civil rightsAlumni of Magdalen College, OxfordAmerican autobiographersAmerican deistsAmerican male journalistsAmerican philosophers of cultureAmerican philosophers of educationAmerican philosophers of religionAmerican slave ownersAnthologistsBisexual poetsBlind writersBurials at Montparnasse CemeteryDeterministsFrench Resistance membersFrench Roman Catholic writersFrench anarchists, French anti-capitalists, French anti-fascistsFrench communistsFrench humanistsFrench physicistsGerman epistemologistsGerman idealistsGerman monarchistsHaiku poetsHumor researchersJerusalem Prize recipientsJewish atheistsLecturersLycée Condorcet alumniLycée Henri-IV alumniLycée Louis-le-Grand alumniMagic realism writersMilitary theoristsPeople associated with the University of BaselPeople from the Province of SaxonyPeople with hypochondriasisPhilosophers of timeRoman Catholic mysticsScholars of Trinity College DublinStateless peopleSurrealist writersWriters from Dublin (city)18th-century American politicians, American Freemasons, Signers of the United States Constitution19th-century French LGBTQ people, 20th-century French LGBTQ people19th-century German journalists19th-century Prussian people20th-century French dramatists and playwrights20th-century French essayists, 20th-century French short story writers5th-century BC Chinese writers, 6th-century BC Chinese writers, Chinese political philosophers, Deified Chinese men, Zhou dynasty philosophers, Zhou dynasty writers5th-century BC religious leaders, 6th-century BC religious leadersAnti-natalistsAustrian atheistsBisexual journalistsBlind poetsCartesianismChristian apologistsCommanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of GermanyContinental philosophersConverts to Roman CatholicismConverts to Roman Catholicism from AnglicanismCreators of writing systemsDeaths from pneumonia in France, Prix Goncourt winnersDeaths from pneumonia in GermanyExistentialist theologiansFin de siècleFree love advocatesFreemasons of the United Grand Lodge of EnglandFrench Marxists, French anti-war activistsFrench biographers, French ethicistsFrench essayistsFrench fluid dynamicists, French mathematicians, French probability theoristsFrench magazine foundersFrench scientists with disabilitiesFrench short story writersGerman eugenicistsGerman logicians, Kantian philosophersGerman military personnel of the Franco-Prussian WarGerman music criticsGerman philologistsGerman writers on atheismIndependent scholarsInfectious disease deaths in FranceIrish Freemasons, Irish libertarians, Irish people of English descentIrish writers in French, People educated at Portora Royal SchoolJewish existentialistsJourney to the West charactersLGBTQ AnglicansMasonic grand mastersPeople convicted for homosexuality in the United Kingdom, People who have received posthumous pardonsPhilosophers from MassachusettsPhilosophers of identityPhilosophers of nihilismPolitical activists from PennsylvaniaPostmodern writers, Recipients of the Legion of HonourRecreational cryptographers, Writers from Boston, Writers from PhiladelphiaScholars of antisemitismSpanish-language poetsUniversity of Bonn alumniUniversity of Copenhagen alumni
Benjamin Franklin
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the life and work of the scientist, writer, printer, diplomat and American founding father Benjamin Franklin.
1 March 2012
Featuring: Simon Middleton, Simon Newman, Patricia Fara
CultureMasonic grand mastersFellows of the Royal SocietyHonorary members of the Saint Petersburg Academy of SciencesIndependent scholarsAmerican male non-fiction writersTheorists on Western civilizationPhilosophers of literatureAmerican deistsAge of EnlightenmentSocial philosophersPhilosophy writersPhilosophers of technologyAmerican political philosophersActivists for African-American civil rightsWriters about religion and sciencePolitical activists from PennsylvaniaAphoristsRecipients of the Copley MedalRhetoric theoristsFellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences18th-century pseudonymous writersAmerican people of English descentAmerican philosophers of cultureHumor researchersAmerican male journalistsRecreational cryptographers, Writers from Boston, Writers from PhiladelphiaHall of Fame for Great Americans inducteesAmerican philosophers of religion18th-century American politicians, American Freemasons, Signers of the United States ConstitutionPhilosophers from MassachusettsMembers of the American Philosophical SocietyPeople associated with electricityCreators of writing systemsWriters about activism and social changePhilosophers of scienceAmerican slave ownersPhilosophers of historyAmerican autobiographers18th-century American writers, Founding Fathers of the United States, People of the American EnlightenmentSimple living advocatesIndependent scientistsAmerican philosophers of educationConfucius
Melvyn Bragg discusses the philosophy of Confucius, a body of ideas which, more than any other philosophy, has defined what it is to be Chinese.
1 November 2001
Featuring: Frances Wood, Tim Barrett, Tao Tao Liu
PhilosophyFounders of religionsPhilosophers of culturePhilosophers of law5th-century BC historiansPhilosophers of educationSocial philosophers5th-century BC Chinese writers, 6th-century BC Chinese writers, Chinese political philosophers, Deified Chinese men, Zhou dynasty philosophers, Zhou dynasty writers5th-century BC religious leaders, 6th-century BC religious leadersAphoristsClassical humanistsJorge Luis Borges
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and work of the Argentinian master of the short story, Jorge Luis Borges.
4 January 2007
Featuring: Edwin Williamson, Efraín Kristal, Evelyn Fishburn
Postmodern writers, Recipients of the Legion of HonourBlind writersLiteracy and society theoristsPhilosophers of literatureTrope theoristsPhilosophers of identityMetaphor theoristsAphoristsJerusalem Prize recipientsCommanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of GermanyPhilosophers of cultureAnthologistsPhilosophers of artLiterary theorists20th-century essayistsPhilosophers of mathematics20th-century translatorsPhilosophers of timeMagic realism writers20th-century mysticsPhilosophers of mindLecturersBlind poetsSonneteersHaiku poetsSpanish-language poetsPhilosophers of pessimismMetaphysics writersSurrealist writersKafka's The Trial
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Franz Kafka's novel The Trial.
27 November 2014
Featuring: Elizabeth Boa, Steve Connor, Ritchie Robertson
Kierkegaard
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rich and radical ideas of Soren Kierkegaard, often called the father of Existentialism.
20 March 2008
Featuring: Jonathan Rée, Clare Carlisle, John Lippitt
PhilosophyEpistemologists19th-century essayistsChristian humanistsUniversity of Copenhagen alumniMetaphilosophersExistentialistsPhilosophers of deathPhilosophers of literatureExistentialist theologians19th-century male writersChristian poetsSocial philosophersPhilosophy writersAphoristsChristian ethicistsIrony theoristsPhilosophers of culturePeople celebrated in the Lutheran liturgical calendarPhilosophers of psychologyPhilosophers of artChristian radicalsOntologistsPhilosophers of lovePhilosophers of mindMetaphysicians19th-century pseudonymous writers19th-century deaths from tuberculosisPhilosophers of religionNietzsche's Genealogy of Morality
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Nietzsche's influential ideas about what it means to be moral.
12 January 2017
Featuring: Stephen Mulhall, Fiona Hughes, Keith Ansell-Pearson
PhilosophyGerman philosophers of artDeaths from pneumonia in GermanyPhilosophers of nihilismMetaphilosophersExistentialistsPhilosophers of social science19th-century German philosophersTheorists on Western civilizationStateless peoplePhilosophers of literatureDeterministsPhilosophers of sexualityCritics of work and the work ethic19th-century German novelistsPhilosophy writersCritical theoristsLeipzig University alumniGerman philosophers of mind, German philosophers of religionWriters about religion and science19th-century German male writersAphoristsIrony theorists19th-century Prussian peopleUniversity of Bonn alumni19th-century German journalistsPhilosophers of psychologyGerman critics of ChristianityCritics of the Catholic Church19th-century German male musiciansAnti-consumeristsGerman philosophers of culturePhilosophers of timeCritics of religionsGerman male essayistsPeople associated with the University of BaselOntologistsMetaphysiciansGerman ethicists, German philosophers of educationAnti-nationalistsGerman epistemologistsPeople from the Province of SaxonyWriters about activism and social changeGerman military personnel of the Franco-Prussian War19th-century German non-fiction writersGerman philosophers of historyGerman male non-fiction writersGerman music criticsOscar Wilde
Melvyn Bragg discusses Oscar Wilde, the Aesthetes and his literary legacy. Was Wilde a reactionary - the last of the romantics - or was he the midwife to modernism?
6 December 2001
Featuring: Valentine Cunningham, Regenia Gagnier, Neil Sammells
ConversationalistsIrish male poetsInfectious disease deaths in FranceIrish Freemasons, Irish libertarians, Irish people of English descentConverts to Roman Catholicism from AnglicanismLGBTQ Roman CatholicsWriters of Gothic fictionFin de siècleIrish male dramatists and playwrightsBisexual male writersAlumni of Magdalen College, OxfordBurials at Père Lachaise CemeteryVictorian novelistsIrish writers in French, People educated at Portora Royal SchoolAphoristsVictorian poets19th-century Irish dramatists and playwrights, 19th-century Irish poets, Symbolist dramatists and playwrightsFreemasons of the United Grand Lodge of EnglandLibertarian socialistsScholars of Trinity College DublinWriters from Dublin (city)Anglo-Irish artists, Irish fantasy writersIrish expatriates in FranceBisexual poetsBisexual novelistsIrish male novelistsLGBTQ AnglicansBisexual journalistsAlumni of Trinity College DublinPeople convicted for homosexuality in the United Kingdom, People who have received posthumous pardonsPascal
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the life and work of the French polymath Blaise Pascal.
19 September 2013
Featuring: David Wootton, Michael Moriarty, Michela Massimi
CultureFrench Roman Catholic writersCartesianismChristian humanistsCritics of atheismFrench physicistsCatholic philosophersConverts to Roman CatholicismFrench fluid dynamicists, French mathematicians, French probability theoristsPeople with hypochondriasisRoman Catholic mysticsChristian apologists17th-century Christian mysticsAphoristsProust
Melvyn Bragg discusses the life and achievements of the 19th century French novelist Marcel Proust whose 3000 page work À La Recherche du Temps Perdu has been called the definitive modern novel.
17 April 2003
Featuring: Jacqueline Rose, Malcolm Bowie, Robert Fraser
Conversationalists20th-century atheistsFrench philosophers of art19th-century French philosophersLGBTQ Roman Catholics19th-century French LGBTQ people, 20th-century French LGBTQ people19th-century mysticsPhilosophers of literatureFrench Roman Catholic writersFrench atheistsBurials at Père Lachaise Cemetery20th-century French novelistsFormer Roman CatholicsAphoristsDeaths from pneumonia in France, Prix Goncourt winnersFrench male non-fiction writersFrench literary criticsPeople with hypochondriasisFrench essayists19th-century atheists20th-century mystics20th-century French philosophersLycée Condorcet alumniFrench short story writersFrench LGBTQ novelistsWriters from ParisModernist writers20th-century French essayists, 20th-century French short story writersSartre
Melvyn Bragg discusses the life and works of French novelist, playwright and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.
7 October 2004
Featuring: Jonathan Rée, Benedict O'Donohoe, Christina Howells
PhilosophyLycée Henri-IV alumni20th-century atheistsNobel laureates in LiteratureFrench sociologistsBlind writersFrench communistsFrench philosophers of artPhilosophers of nihilismFrench biographers, French ethicistsExistentialistsPhilosophers of social scienceFrench philosophers of sciencePhilosophers of deathÉcole Normale Supérieure alumniTheorists on Western civilizationPhilosophers of literatureContinental philosophersPhilosophers of sexualityPhenomenologistsFree love advocatesFrench atheistsPhilosophy writersCritical theoristsBurials at Montparnasse CemeteryFrench Nobel laureates20th-century French novelistsFrench humanistsLegion of Honour refusals20th-century French dramatists and playwrightsFrench magazine foundersFrench anarchists, French anti-capitalists, French anti-fascistsFrench philosophers of historyAphoristsFrench philosophers of educationFrench political philosophersFrench epistemologistsFellows of the American Academy of Arts and SciencesLycée Louis-le-Grand alumniFrench Marxists, French anti-war activistsFrench literary criticsLibertarian socialistsFrench philosophers of cultureFrench Resistance membersAtheist philosophersFrench scientists with disabilitiesOntologistsPhilosophers of mindMetaphysicians20th-century French philosophersWriters from ParisFrench socialistsScholars of antisemitismSchopenhauer
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the pessimistic philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer and his extraordinary influence.
29 October 2009
Featuring: A. C. Grayling, Beatrice Han-Pile, Christopher Janaway
PhilosophyGerman philosophers of artGerman philosophers of scienceGerman political philosophers19th-century German writersMetaphilosophersGerman eugenicists19th-century German philosophersTheorists on Western civilizationSimple living advocatesPhilosophers of literatureGerman idealistsPhilosophers of logicLogiciansPhenomenologistsPhilosophy writersCritical theoristsGerman philosophers of mind, German philosophers of religionAcademic staff of the Humboldt University of Berlin19th-century German male writersAphoristsGerman philosophers of languagePhilosophers of psychologyUniversity of Göttingen alumniGerman critics of ChristianityGerman philologistsGerman philosophers of culture19th-century German essayists19th-century atheistsCritics of religionsAtheist philosophersGerman male essayistsCritics of JudaismOntologistsPhilosophers of loveGerman writers on atheismGerman ethicists, German philosophers of educationGerman monarchistsPhilosophers of pessimismGerman epistemologistsAnti-natalistsGerman philosophers of historyGerman male non-fiction writersGerman logicians, Kantian philosophersSun Tzu and The Art of War
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Chinese military adviser Sun Tzu from the 6th century BC and the influential work of military strategy associated with him, The Art of War.
1 March 2018
Featuring: Hilde de Weerdt, Tim Barrett, Imre Galambos
HistoryPhilosophers of cultureMilitary theoristsPhilosophers of educationPolitical realistsJourney to the West characters5th-century BC Chinese writers, 6th-century BC Chinese writers, Chinese political philosophers, Deified Chinese men, Zhou dynasty philosophers, Zhou dynasty writersPhilosophers of social sciencePeople whose existence is disputedPhilosophers of warTheoretical historiansAphorists