Emotions
Emotions are mental states brought on by neurophysiological changes, variously associated with thoughts, feelings, behavioural responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure. There is currently no scientific consensus on a definition.
7 episodes
Episodes in this category also belong to the following categories:
Guilt
Melvyn Bragg discusses the moral conscience and take a long hard look at the idea of guilt.
1 November 2007
Featuring: Stephen Mulhall, Miranda Fricker, Oliver Davies
Happiness
Melvyn Bragg discusses whether 'happiness' means living a life of pleasure or of virtue. How much does this ancient philosophical debate still define what it means to be happy today?
24 January 2002
Featuring: Angie Hobbs, Simon Blackburn, A. C. Grayling
Hope
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the development of ideas about hope, left in Pandora's box either as a consolation or as another evil, later the companion of faith and love
22 November 2018
Featuring: Beatrice Han-Pile, Robert Stern, Judith Wolfe
Hysteria
Melvyn Bragg discusses a problematic notion which can be an emotional condition, a syndrome, an over-reaction, or the physical signs of trauma, which became the bedrock for psychoanalysis.
22 April 2004
Featuring: Juliet Mitchell, Rachel Bowlby, Brett Kahr
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
Featuring: A. N. Wilson, Victoria Glendinning
The Philosophy of Solitude
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the philosophy of solitude, from religious hermits to those exiled from their homeland.
19 June 2014
Featuring: Melissa Lane, Simon Blackburn, John Haldane
Victorian Pessimism
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Victorian Pessimism, from Matthew Arnold’s poem Dover Beach to the malign universe of Thomas Hardy’s novels.
10 May 2007
Featuring: Dinah Birch, Rosemary Ashton, Peter Mandler