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Mark Tully asks if manners are really necessary and what would happen if we were to dispense with them. Would we live more honest lives or just end up hurting each other more?

Mark Tully asks whether manners are really necessary and what would happen if we were to dispense with them. Would we live more honest lives or just end up hurting each other more?

On the one hand, he hears the arguments for authenticity and self expression and looks at the knots we can tie ourselves up in by attempting to follow the correct etiquette. On the other hand, he looks at the damage that can be done if we are not bound by reasonable codes of conduct.

Perhaps the strongest defence of proper manners he comes across is that they are not for our own benefit or advancement but, rather, to help us consider the needs and feelings of others.

The readers are John McAndrew, Frank Stirling and Polly Frame.

Producer: Adam Fowler
A Unique production for Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 8 Jun 2014 23:30
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Allegro from Symphony No. 31 in D major, K. 297 (300a) “Paris”

    Performer: Thomas Beecham.
    • Sir Thomas Beecham Conducts Mozart.
    • Sony Classical.

  • The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer, Section 36

    In this passage, Schopenhauer explains the importance of politeness.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Egmont from Music to Goethe's Tragedy

    Performer: Berlin Philharmonic.
    • Ludwig Van Beethoven.
    • Polydor International.

  • On the Process of Civilisation by Norbert Elias

    Elias shares fifteenth century codes of conduct.

  • Chet Baker

    Let's Get Lost

    • Chet Baker: My Funny Valentine.
    • Capitol Records.

  • Civility: A Cultural History by Benet Davetian

    This passage explains what is meant by “incivility”, what he describes as an “American social dilemma”.

  • “Know All” from Meeting Midnight by Carol Ann Duffy

    This poem takes the viewpoint of a ‘Know All’, who in fact knows very little at all.

  • The L.A. Four

    Rondo Expressivo

    • Concord Jazz: The L.A. 4.
    • Concord Records.

  • Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keiller

    Garrison Keiller describes the rules of porch etiquette in America.

  • ‘EtiquetteÂ’ from More Bab Ballads by W.S. Gilbert

    This is a light-hearted poem exploring the arbitrary nature of etiquette.

  • Gilbert and Sullivan

    If Somebody There Chanced To Be from Ruddigore, Act 1

    Performer: The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
    • Gilbert & Sullivan: Ruddigore/Cox & Box.
    • The Decca Record Company Limited.

  • A Treatise on Good Manners and Good Breeding by Jonathan Swift

    Swift describes good sense as the principle foundation from which good manners are built.

  • Ray Noble and Al Bowlly

    Please Don't Mention It

    • Sweetheart.
    • Rathbone.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 8 Jun 2014 06:05
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4
  • Sun 8 Jun 2014 23:30
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

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