Social philosophy
Social philosophy examines questions about the foundations of social institutions, social behavior, and interpretations of society in terms of ethical values rather than empirical relations. Social philosophers emphasize understanding the social contexts for political, legal, moral and cultural questions, and the development of novel theoretical frameworks, from social ontology to care ethics to cosmopolitan theories of democracy, natural law, human rights, gender equity and global justice.
6 episodes
Episodes in this category also belong to the following categories:
Altruism
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss altruism, described as “an unselfish attention to the needs of others” but how does this square with Darwin’s theory of Evolution?
23 November 2006
Featuring: Miranda Fricker, Richard Dawkins, John Dupré
Capitalism
Melvyn Bragg discusses the history of capitalism and examines whether we have witnessed its triumph or if we are only now learning the full costs and the social impact of its unfettered advance.
24 June 1999
Featuring: Anatole Kaletsky, Edward Luttwak
Evil
Melvyn Bragg discusses the notion of evil in western philosophy.
3 May 2001
Featuring: Jones Erwin, Stephen Mulhall, Margaret Atkins
The Frankfurt School
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Frankfurt School, a group of influential German thinkers who argued that culture keeps people passive.
14 January 2010
Featuring: Jonathan Rée, Esther Leslie, Raymond Geuss
The Philosophy of Love
Melvyn Bragg discusses the philosophy of love, a search for a completeness in human nature.
29 March 2001
Featuring: Roger Scruton, Angie Hobbs, Thomas Docherty
Utilitarianism
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss utilitarianism, a moral theory that assesses acts by their tendency to increase pleasure in the world and decrease the amount of pain.
11 June 2015
Featuring: Melissa Lane, Janet Radcliffe Richards, Brad Hooker