Smith - Hume

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Part 1

20091130

Series exploring major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment.

Prof Alexander Brodie explores Smith's observations on morality and human behaviour. Smith believed that morality is, or should be, a lifelong project that leaves no space for complacency about our moral status. Whatever we have achieved already, we could still make progress and we could still fall.

Alexander Brodie examines Adam Smith's observations on morality and human behaviour.

Part 2

20091201

Series exploring two major figures of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Historian and novelist James Buchan looks back to Adam Smith and other great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment, considering their interpretation of whether luxury was a motivating benefit for society. Medieval historians felt that luxury was a threat to the immortal soul. In the 18th century, philosophers moralised on how best to deal with the new commercial society.

James Buchan looks back at the great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Part 3

20091202

Series exploring two major figures of the Scottish Enlightenment.

Vince Cable, MP and Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, explores some of philosopher Adam Smith's groundbreaking theories and insights into human nature and our relationship with money. What advice might Smith have for today's economists?

Vince Cable MP wonders what Adam Smith would make of today's global financial crisis.

Part 4

20091203

Series exploring the work of two major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment.

In his lifetime, Hume was not only known for his philosophical works but also as a historian and essayist. Alongside his writing, one of his last jobs was secretary to the British Embassy in Paris, where he was lionised by the intelligentsia as an architect of the Enlightenment. Professor Simon Blackburn of Cambridge University assesses Hume's originality of thought and his influence on later thinkers like Darwin.

Simon Blackburn on Hume's originality of thought and influence on thinkers such as Darwin.

05 LAST

Part 5

20091204

Series exploring the work of two major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment.

Philosopher David Hume enjoyed huge fame and respect in his lifetime, yet he considered his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion too provocative to be published within his own lifetime. Philosopher Prof Simon Blackburn of Cambridge University analyses Hume's ground breaking thoughts about religion in Dialogues.

Simon Blackburn assesses David Hume's revolutionary Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Part 1	20091130	Series exploring major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment. Prof Alexander Brodie explores Smith's observations on morality and human behaviour. Smith believed that morality is, or should be, a lifelong project that leaves no space for complacency about our moral status. Whatever we have achieved already, we could still make progress and we could still fall. Alexander Brodie examines Adam Smith's observations on morality and human behaviour.
02	Part 2	20091201	Series exploring two major figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. Historian and novelist James Buchan looks back to Adam Smith and other great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment, considering their interpretation of whether luxury was a motivating benefit for society. Medieval historians felt that luxury was a threat to the immortal soul. In the 18th century, philosophers moralised on how best to deal with the new commercial society. James Buchan looks back at the great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment.
03	Part 3	20091202	Series exploring two major figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. Vince Cable, MP and Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, explores some of philosopher Adam Smith's groundbreaking theories and insights into human nature and our relationship with money. What advice might Smith have for today's economists? Vince Cable MP wonders what Adam Smith would make of today's global financial crisis.
04	Part 4	20091203	Series exploring the work of two major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment. In his lifetime, Hume was not only known for his philosophical works but also as a historian and essayist. Alongside his writing, one of his last jobs was secretary to the British Embassy in Paris, where he was lionised by the intelligentsia as an architect of the Enlightenment. Professor Simon Blackburn of Cambridge University assesses Hume's originality of thought and his influence on later thinkers like Darwin. Simon Blackburn on Hume's originality of thought and influence on thinkers such as Darwin.
05 LAST	Part 5	20091204	Series exploring the work of two major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment. Philosopher David Hume enjoyed huge fame and respect in his lifetime, yet he considered his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion too provocative to be published within his own lifetime. Philosopher Prof Simon Blackburn of Cambridge University analyses Hume's ground breaking thoughts about religion in Dialogues. Simon Blackburn assesses David Hume's revolutionary Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.