Main content

Why Are Things Beautiful?

Melvyn Bragg is joined by mathematician Vicky Neale, historian of science Simon Schaffer and philosophers Barry Smith and Angie Hobbs to discuss different ideas about beauty.

A new history of ideas presented by Melvyn Bragg but told in many voices.

Melvyn is joined by four guests with different backgrounds to discuss a really big question. This week he's asking 'Why are things beautiful?'

Helping him answer it are Mathematician Vicky Neale, historian of science Simon Schaffer and philosophers Barry Smith and Angie Hobbs.

For the rest of the week Vicky, Simon, Barry and Angie will take us further into the history of ideas about beauty with programmes of their own.

Between them they will examine the mathematics of beauty, whether beauty has moral force, whether beauty can be explained in evolutionary terms and how David Hume developed a theory of good taste.

Available now

11 minutes

Last on

Mon 20 Aug 2018 12:04
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM

More episodes

Previous

Neuroscientist Paul Broks on Free Will and the Brain

Next

Barry Smith on the Philosophy of Good Taste

See all episodes from A History of Ideas

  • Explore some big questions about how we live today including freedom, feminism and more.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 17 Nov 2014 12:04
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 20 Aug 2018 12:04
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM

Learn more with The Open University

Watch the animations and then delve into free related content from The Open University.

  • (www.open.edu)

Podcast

  • A History of Ideas

    Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the work of key philosophers and their theories.