Philosophical movements
A philosophical movement refers to the phenomenon defined by a group of philosophers who share an origin or style of thought. Their ideas may develop substantially from a process of learning and communication within the group, rather than from outside influences.
11 episodes
Empiricism
Melvyn Bragg discusses the development of the idea formulated by John Locke that all knowledge arises from experience, and looks at its effect on the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.
10 June 2004
Featuring: Judith Hawley, Murray Pittock, Jonathan Rée
Existentialism
Melvyn Bragg discusses existentialism, a twentieth century philosophy of everyday life concerned with the individual, and his or her place within the world.
28 June 2001
Featuring: A. C. Grayling, Christina Howells, Simon Critchley
Humanism
Melvyn Bragg examines what happened to Humanism after its invention by Cicero in the first century BC. What does humanism actually mean and is it still a classical force in contemporary ideas?
8 February 2001
Featuring: Tony Davies, Lisa Jardine, Simon Goldhill
Logical Positivism
Melvyn Bragg and guests including Barry Smith discuss Logical Positivism, the radical philosophy of the Vienna Circle.
2 July 2009
Featuring: Barry Smith, Nancy Cartwright, Thomas Uebel
Ordinary language philosophy
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss Ordinary Language Philosophy, one of the most important British contributions to 20th-century thought.
7 November 2013
Featuring: Stephen Mulhall, Ray Monk, Julia Tanney
Phenomenology
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the philosophical movement phenomenology.
22 January 2015
Featuring: Simon Glendinning, Joanna Hodge, Stephen Mulhall
Pragmatism
Melvyn Bragg discusses the American philosophy of pragmatism which purported that knowledge is only meaningful when coupled with action.
17 November 2005
Featuring: A. C. Grayling, Julian Baggini, Miranda Fricker
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
Featuring: Anthony O'Hear, Adam Phillips
Scepticism
Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the history of philosophical scepticism.
5 July 2012
Featuring: Peter Millican, Melissa Lane, Jill Kraye
The Enlightenment in Britain
Melvyn Bragg examines the part British thinkers played in the Enlightenment in the 18th century, and examines whether the shifts of thought in those years provided the platform for the modern world.
18 January 2001
Featuring: Roy Porter, Linda Colley, Jeremy Black
The Scottish Enlightenment
Melvyn Bragg discusses the emergence and impact of the Scottish Enlightenment which was led by the philosopher David Hume and the father of modern economics, Adam Smith.
5 December 2002
Featuring: Tom Devine, Karen O'Brien, Alexander Broadie