Portrait of Lord Melvyn Bragg, host of In Our Time

Concepts in epistemology

Epistemology ( (listen); from Ancient Greek ἐπιστήμη (epistḗmē) 'knowledge', and -logy), or the theory of knowledge, is the branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge. Epistemology is considered a major subfield of philosophy, along with other major subfields such as ethics, logic, and metaphysics.Epistemologists study the nature, origin, and scope of knowledge, epistemic justification, the rationality of belief, and various related issues.

8 episodes

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  1. Cogito Ergo Sum

    Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss one of the most famous statements in philosophy, 'Cogito ergo sum', Rene Descartes' attempt to establish what we can truly know.

    28 April 2011

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    Featuring: Susan James, John Cottingham, Stephen Mulhall

     
  2. Common Sense Philosophy

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 18th century common sense philosophy which involves the most profound questions about human knowledge we are capable of asking.

    21 June 2007

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    Featuring: A. C. Grayling, Melissa Lane, Alexander Broadie

     
  3. Consciousness

    Melvyn Bragg examines why the elusiveness and impenetrability of consciousness continues to fascinate both philosophers and scientists. Is the human mind just not built to understand its own basis?

    25 November 1999

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    Featuring: Ted Honderich, Roger Penrose

     
  4. Ockham's Razor

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the philosophical idea of Ockham’s Razor and the medieval philosopher who gave his name to it, William of Ockham.

    31 May 2007

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    Featuring: Anthony Kenny, Marilyn Adams, Richard Alan Cross

     
  5. Progress

    Melvyn Bragg examines whether while mankind has grown in years and knowledge, it has also progressed in terms of happiness and a truer understanding of the human condition.

    18 November 1999

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    Featuring: Anthony O'Hear, Adam Phillips

     
  6. The Age of Doubt

    Melvyn Bragg examines who or what was responsible for the spread of religious doubt over the last three centuries and discusses the role of belief in God, in modern society.

    9 March 2000

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    Featuring: A. N. Wilson, Victoria Glendinning

     
  7. Time

    Melvyn Bragg examines the history of mankind’s attempt to understand the nature of time. Does it exist independently of our perception of it, or is it merely a figment of our imagination?

    30 December 1999

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    Featuring: Neil Johnson, Lee Smolin

     
  8. Truth

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss philosophical approaches to truth.

    18 December 2014

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    Featuring: Simon Blackburn, Jennifer Hornsby, Crispin Wright