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 scienceSonneteersMembers of the American Philosophical SocietyEpistemologistsAge 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 writers19th-century deaths from tuberculosis20th-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 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 CemeteryCharles University alumniDeterministsFrench 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 Austrian male writers, Jewish novelists, Jews from Austria-Hungary, Writers from Austria-Hungary20th-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
CultureHall of Fame for Great Americans inducteesPeople associated with electricityAmerican philosophers of educationHumor researchersActivists for African-American civil rightsAmerican philosophers of cultureCreators of writing systemsWriters about religion and scienceAmerican slave ownersRhetoric theoristsRecreational cryptographers, Writers from Boston, Writers from PhiladelphiaAmerican male non-fiction writersIndependent scientistsIndependent scholarsAmerican people of English descentAmerican deistsWriters about activism and social changeSimple living advocatesAmerican political philosophers18th-century American politicians, American Freemasons, Signers of the United States ConstitutionPhilosophy writersAmerican autobiographersAmerican philosophers of religionHonorary members of the Saint Petersburg Academy of SciencesPhilosophers of technologyMasonic grand mastersFellows of the American Academy of Arts and SciencesTheorists on Western civilizationPhilosophers of sciencePhilosophers of historyRecipients of the Copley MedalPolitical activists from PennsylvaniaPhilosophers from Massachusetts18th-century American writers, Founding Fathers of the United States, People of the American EnlightenmentAmerican male journalistsSocial philosophersMembers of the American Philosophical Society18th-century pseudonymous writersAphoristsAge of EnlightenmentPhilosophers of literatureFellows of the Royal Society18th centuryAmericaConfucius
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 religions5th-century BC Chinese writers, 6th-century BC Chinese writers, Chinese political philosophers, Deified Chinese men, Zhou dynasty philosophers, Zhou dynasty writersPhilosophers of lawClassical humanists5th-century BC historiansPhilosophers of cultureSocial philosophersAphorists5th-century BC religious leaders, 6th-century BC religious leadersPhilosophers of education5th century BC6th century BCChinaJorge 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
Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of GermanyPostmodern writers, Recipients of the Legion of HonourPhilosophers of culturePhilosophers of timeSpanish-language poetsPhilosophers of mindSurrealist writersBlind poetsLiteracy and society theoristsPhilosophers of pessimismMetaphysics writers20th-century mysticsMetaphor theoristsSonneteersPhilosophers of artJerusalem Prize recipientsMagic realism writersTrope theoristsBlind writersPhilosophers of identityLecturersPhilosophers of mathematics20th-century translatorsHaiku poetsLiterary theoristsAnthologistsAphorists20th-century essayistsPhilosophers of literature20th centuryLanguageMathematicsKafka's The Trial
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Franz Kafka's novel The Trial.
27 November 2014
Featuring: Elizabeth Boa, Steve Connor, Ritchie Robertson
CultureMagic realism writersModernist writersJewish socialistsJewish atheistsJewish existentialistsAustrian atheistsAbsurdist writers20th-century deaths from tuberculosisAphoristsFabulists20th-century Austrian male writers, Jewish novelists, Jews from Austria-Hungary, Writers from Austria-HungaryCharles University alumni20th centuryLawKierkegaard
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
PhilosophyChristian humanistsPhilosophers of cultureExistentialist theologiansPhilosophers of mindMetaphilosophersPhilosophers of lovePhilosophers of religion19th-century male writers19th-century pseudonymous writersChristian poetsEpistemologistsChristian ethicistsPhilosophy writersPhilosophers of artChristian radicalsPhilosophers of psychologyIrony theorists19th-century essayistsMetaphysiciansPeople celebrated in the Lutheran liturgical calendarUniversity of Copenhagen alumni19th-century deaths from tuberculosisPhilosophers of deathOntologistsSocial philosophersAphoristsExistentialistsPhilosophers of literature19th centuryMedicinePsychologyTheologyNietzsche'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
PhilosophyCritics of the Catholic Church19th-century German male musicians19th-century German journalistsPhilosophers of timeUniversity of Bonn alumni19th-century German non-fiction writersPhilosophers of sexualityWriters about religion and scienceMetaphilosophersGerman philosophers of historyGerman male non-fiction writersCritics of work and the work ethicGerman critics of Christianity19th-century Prussian peopleGerman music criticsWriters about activism and social changeStateless peoplePhilosophy writersIrony theoristsDeterministsPhilosophers of psychology19th-century German novelistsPeople from the Province of SaxonyCritics of religionsCritical theoristsAnti-consumeristsMetaphysiciansGerman philosophers of culturePeople associated with the University of BaselGerman military personnel of the Franco-Prussian WarGerman ethicists, German philosophers of education19th-century German philosophersTheorists on Western civilizationDeaths from pneumonia in GermanyGerman philosophers of mind, German philosophers of religionGerman epistemologistsPhilosophers of nihilismLeipzig University alumniPhilosophers of social science19th-century German male writersGerman male essayistsOntologistsAphoristsExistentialistsAnti-nationalistsPhilosophers of literatureGerman philosophers of art19th centuryGermanyMedicineMusicPsychologyWarOscar 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
Bisexual poetsIrish Freemasons, Irish libertarians, Irish people of English descentConversationalistsIrish male dramatists and playwrightsBisexual novelistsFreemasons of the United Grand Lodge of EnglandVictorian poetsIrish writers in French, People educated at Portora Royal SchoolAlumni of Trinity College DublinBisexual journalistsInfectious disease deaths in FranceIrish male novelistsFin de siècleVictorian novelistsConverts to Roman Catholicism from AnglicanismScholars of Trinity College DublinLGBTQ AnglicansIrish expatriates in FranceBurials at Père Lachaise CemeteryAlumni of Magdalen College, OxfordWriters from Dublin (city)People convicted for homosexuality in the United Kingdom, People who have received posthumous pardonsBisexual male writers19th-century Irish dramatists and playwrights, 19th-century Irish poets, Symbolist dramatists and playwrightsLibertarian socialistsLGBTQ Roman CatholicsAnglo-Irish artists, Irish fantasy writersAphoristsWriters of Gothic fictionIrish male poets19th centuryIrelandMedicinePascal
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
CultureChristian humanistsFrench physicistsPeople with hypochondriasisCritics of atheismRoman Catholic mysticsChristian apologistsCatholic philosophersFrench fluid dynamicists, French mathematicians, French probability theoristsAphoristsFrench Roman Catholic writersCartesianism17th-century Christian mysticsConverts to Roman Catholicism17th centuryFranceMathematicsProust
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
Lycée Condorcet alumniDeaths from pneumonia in France, Prix Goncourt winnersFrench literary criticsConversationalistsFrench essayistsFrench male non-fiction writersFormer Roman Catholics20th-century mystics20th-century atheistsFrench short story writers20th-century French philosophers19th-century atheistsPeople with hypochondriasisModernist writersBurials at Père Lachaise Cemetery19th-century French philosophersFrench philosophers of art20th-century French novelistsFrench Roman Catholic writersFrench LGBTQ novelistsWriters from Paris19th-century French LGBTQ people, 20th-century French LGBTQ people20th-century French essayists, 20th-century French short story writersLGBTQ Roman CatholicsAphorists19th-century mysticsFrench atheistsPhilosophers of literature19th century20th centuryFranceSartre
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
PhilosophyScholars of antisemitismFrench sociologists20th-century French dramatists and playwrightsFrench magazine foundersFrench philosophers of educationFrench literary criticsFrench socialistsFrench biographers, French ethicistsPhilosophers of mindPhilosophers of sexualityLegion of Honour refusalsFrench philosophers of scienceLycée Henri-IV alumni20th-century atheistsÉcole Normale Supérieure alumniFrench anarchists, French anti-capitalists, French anti-fascists20th-century French philosophersPhilosophy writersFrench political philosophersCritical theoristsMetaphysiciansBurials at Montparnasse CemeteryFrench communistsBlind writersFree love advocatesFrench philosophers of art20th-century French novelistsFrench philosophers of historyFrench Resistance membersContinental philosophersNobel laureates in LiteratureFrench humanistsFellows of the American Academy of Arts and SciencesFrench Nobel laureatesFrench scientists with disabilitiesTheorists on Western civilizationFrench Marxists, French anti-war activistsLycée Louis-le-Grand alumniWriters from ParisPhilosophers of nihilismFrench epistemologistsAtheist philosophersPhilosophers of social scienceLibertarian socialistsPhilosophers of deathOntologistsPhenomenologistsAphoristsExistentialistsPhilosophers of literatureFrench philosophers of cultureFrench atheists20th centuryFranceMedicineSchopenhauer
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 writers on atheismGerman logicians, Kantian philosophersUniversity of Göttingen alumniGerman philosophers of languageGerman philologistsMetaphilosophersPhilosophers of loveGerman philosophers of historyGerman male non-fiction writersPhilosophers of pessimismPhilosophers of logicGerman critics of ChristianityGerman idealistsSimple living advocatesAcademic staff of the Humboldt University of Berlin19th-century atheistsPhilosophy writersGerman political philosophersPhilosophers of psychologyCritics of religionsCritical theoristsGerman eugenicistsGerman philosophers of culture19th-century German writersAnti-natalistsGerman monarchistsGerman ethicists, German philosophers of educationGerman philosophers of science19th-century German philosophersTheorists on Western civilizationGerman philosophers of mind, German philosophers of religionCritics of JudaismGerman epistemologistsLogiciansAtheist philosophers19th-century German essayists19th-century German male writersGerman male essayistsOntologistsPhenomenologistsAphoristsPhilosophers of literatureGerman philosophers of art19th centuryGermanyLanguagePsychologySun 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
History5th-century BC Chinese writers, 6th-century BC Chinese writers, Chinese political philosophers, Deified Chinese men, Zhou dynasty philosophers, Zhou dynasty writersJourney to the West charactersPhilosophers of culturePhilosophers of social sciencePeople whose existence is disputedMilitary theoristsPhilosophers of warAphoristsPolitical realistsTheoretical historiansPhilosophers of education5th century BC6th century BCChina