Theologian Giles Fraser on Altruism

A History of Ideas by BBC

Jul 29, 201512:59Society & Culture

Giles Fraser discusses gene theory versus altruism with playwright Tom Stoppard whose play The Hard Problem explores the extent to which our genes dictate human acts of love and kindness, and Armand Leroi, the evolutiona...

Related Episodes

Continue listening to more episodes from A History of Ideas.

Neuropsychologist Paul Broks on Wittgenstein

Aug 7, 2015 - 12:59

Paul Broks looks at the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein and the problem of "other minds". How do I know y...

Philosopher Clare Carlisle on Reality and Perception

Aug 6, 2015 - 12:57

If a tree falls in a forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it make a sound? That's the kind of head...

Physicist Tara Shears on Falsification

Aug 5, 2015 - 12:42

Science is based on fact, right? Cold, unchanging, unarguable facts. Perhaps not, says physicist Tara She...

Lawyer Harry Potter on Eyewitness Testimony

Aug 4, 2015 - 13:10

Barrister Harry Potter asks whether we can believe the evidence of our own eyes. It's a vital question fo...

How Can I Know Anything at All?

Aug 3, 2015 - 13:02

A history of ideas. Presented by Melvyn Bragg but told in many voices. Each week Melvyn is joined by four...

Writer Lisa Appignanesi on the Love of Children

Jul 31, 2015 - 12:55

How should we love our children? Can we build on the feelings we experience when we see them for the firs...

Psychotherapist Mark Vernon on Freud

Jul 30, 2015 - 12:57

What is love? Psychotherapist Mark Vernon looks at Freud's ideas on the Greek god Eros, which he saw as a...

Classicist Edith Hall on Aristophanes in Plato

Jul 28, 2015 - 13:04

In 416BC the Greek playwright Aristophanes went to a drinking party. The guests included many famous Athe...