2002

Sensibility 3 Jan

Melvyn Bragg examines the 18th century idea of Sensibility.
800 Literature, rhetoric and criticism
Nuclear Physics 10 Jan

Melvyn Bragg examines one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century, and certainly the most controversial; the development of nuclear physics.
530 Physics
Catharism 17 Jan

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Cathars, a medieval European Christian sect accused of heresy.
270 History of Christianity
Happiness 24 Jan

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss whether ‘happiness’ means living a life of pleasure, or of virtue.
100 Philosophy
Yeats and Mysticism 31 Jan

Melvyn Bragg explores the strange and mystical world of the poet W B Yeats.
820 English and Old English literatures

The Universe’s Shape 7 Feb

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the shape of the universe.
520 Astronomy
Anatomy 14 Feb

Melvyn Bragg examines the history of mankind’s quest to understand the human body.
610 Medicine and health
The Celts 21 Feb

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Celts.
930 History of the Ancient World
Virtue 28 Feb

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of virtue.
170 Ethics

Milton 7 Mar

Melvyn Bragg examines the literary and political career of the poet John Milton.
820 English and Old English literatures
The Buddha 14 Mar

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and teachings of The Buddha.
290 Other religions
Marriage 21 Mar

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of marriage.
300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology
The Artist 28 Mar

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of the artist.
700 Arts

Extra Terrestrials 4 Apr

Melvyn Bragg examines Extra Terrestrials.
520 Astronomy
Bohemia 11 Apr

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the medieval kingdom of Bohemia which was at the crossroads of Europe and, during the 15th century, at the heart of the Holy Roman Empire.
940 History of Europe
Tolstoy 25 Apr

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and work of the 19th century Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy.
890 Other literatures

The Physics of Reality 2 May

Melvyn Bragg examines the physics of reality.
530 Physics
The Examined Life 9 May

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss self-examination.
100 Philosophy
Chaos Theory 16 May

Melvyn Bragg examines whether world is a fundamentally chaotic or orderly place.
500 Science
Drugs 23 May

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of drugs.
610 Medicine and health
The Grand Tour 30 May

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins and cultural impact of 18th century tourism.
910 Geography and travel

The Soul 6 Jun

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Soul.
120 Epistemology
The American West 13 Jun

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the myths and harsh reality of the 19th century American pioneers.
970 History of North America
Wagner 20 Jun

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Richard Wagner who, perhaps more than any other composer, would seem to capture the greatest triumphs and most terrifying excesses of the German spirit.
780 Music
Cultural Imperialism 27 Jun

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss how a dominant power can exert a cultural influence on its empire.
300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology

Freedom 4 Jul

Melvyn Bragg considers what it is to be free and how freedom became such a powerful value.
320 Political science
Psychoanalysis and Democracy 11 Jul

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the impact of politics on psychoanalysis.
150 Psychology
Heritage 18 Jul

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the role history and heritage have played in the formation of the British national identity.
940 History of Europe

Slavery and Empire 17 Oct

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss slavery and empire; two themes that run right through this country’s history.
900 History
The Scientist 24 Oct

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origin of the concept and historical role of the scientist.
500 Science
Architecture and Power 31 Oct

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the role which architecture has played in our public life throughout history, whether in homage to an individual or as a monument to an institution or ideology, has always been a potent symbol of wealth, status and power.
720 Architecture

Human Nature 7 Nov

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the vexing issue of human nature.
150 Psychology
Victorian Realism 14 Nov

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Victorian realism.
820 English and Old English literatures
Muslim Spain 21 Nov

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Muslim Spain.
940 History of Europe
Imagination 28 Nov

Melvyn Bragg investigates the creatives forces of the imagination.
150 Psychology

The Enlightenment in Scotland 5 Dec

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Scottish Enlightenment of the 18th century.
190 Modern Western Philosophy
Man and Disease 12 Dec

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss man and disease.
610 Medicine and health
The Calendar 19 Dec

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the calendar, which shapes the lives of millions of people.
520 Astronomy