Mill

The life and ideas of the 19th century political philosopher John Stuart Mill.

• 45 mins

Mathematics and Music

Melvyn Bragg examines the mathematical structures that lie within the heart of music.

• 45 mins

The Heart

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of ideas about the heart.

• 45 mins

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 19th century anti-slavery novel, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.

• 45 mins

Carbon

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss carbon, which forms the basis of all organic life.

• 45 mins

The Spanish Inquisition

Melvyn Bragg examines the Spanish Inquisition, defenders of medieval orthodoxy.

• 45 mins

Galaxies

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the creation and destruction of galaxies.

• 45 mins

Pastoral Literature

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss pastoral literature from Virgil to Dylan Thomas.

• 45 mins

Comedy in Ancient Greek Theatre

Melvyn Bragg explores comedy in Ancient Greek theatre including Aristophanes and Menander.

• 45 mins

Humboldt

Melvyn Bragg examines the Prussian naturalist and explorer, Alexander Von Humboldt.

• 45 mins

Averroes

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 12th century Islamic philosopher, Averroes.

• 45 mins

The Diet of Worms

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the events that helped trigger the European Reformation.

• 45 mins

The Needham Question

Melvyn Bragg examines the Needham Question; why Europe, not China made modern technology.

• 45 mins

The Encyclopédie

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the great achievements of the Enlightenment.

• 45 mins

The Poincaré Conjecture

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss a puzzle that may explain the shape of the universe.

• 45 mins

Pope

The life and work of the brilliant, acerbic and unpopular poet Alexander Pope.

• 45 mins

The Peasants’ Revolt

Melvyn Bragg examines the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, a pivotal moment in England’s history.

• 45 mins

Altruism

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss philosophical and evolutionary arguments over altruism.

• 45 mins

The Speed of Light

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the speed of light, lynchpin of Einstein’s universe.

• 45 mins

Anarchism

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the political creed of Anarchism.

• 45 mins

Indian Mathematics

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 5000 year long story of Indian Maths.

• 45 mins

Hell

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of Hell and its representation in the arts.

• 45 mins

Constantinople Siege and Fall

Melvyn Bragg examines the 1453 siege of Constantinople which ended the Byzantine Empire.

• 45 mins

Mars

Melvyn Bragg discusses the planet Mars, a source of endless fascination in human history

• 45 mins

The Jesuits

Melvyn Bragg discusses the Jesuits, “the school masters of Europe”.

• 45 mins

Archimedes

Melvyn Bragg discusses the Greek mathematician Archimedes and his famous cry of “eureka!”

• 45 mins

Genghis Khan

Melvyn Bragg discusses Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire.

• 45 mins

Popper

Melvyn Bragg discusses the Anglo-Austrian philosopher Karl Popper.

• 41 mins

Heart of Darkness

Melvyn Bragg discusses Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness.

• 45 mins

Wilberforce

Melvyn Bragg examines the life of anti-slavery campaigner, William Wilberforce.

• 45 mins