Humanly Possible By Sarah Bakewell

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Petrarch And Boccaccio

20230327

The new book by the prize-winning writer Sarah Bakewell is about 700 years of humanist freethinking, enquiry and hope. It begins in Tuscany in the 1300s where life is uncertain and conflict and hostilities are rife. Into this febrile atmosphere come Petrarch and Boccaccio. The reader is Emma Fielding.

Humanly Possible is the latest book from Sarah Bakewell, the award-winning author of 'How to Live' and 'At the Existentialist Cafe'. Here Bakewell delves into the lives of the thinkers who throughout history have set about understanding what it means to be human, and so created the school of thought that we know today as humanism.

In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who redesigned Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin with his ground-breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of WWII and its far-reaching consequences.

The abridger is Richard Hamilton

The producer is Elizabeth Allard

Sarah Bakewell's new book on humanist thought begins with Petrarch and Boccaccio.

Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.

Erasmus And The Principles Of Peace Friendship And Civility

20230328

The award-winning writer Sarah Bakewell's exploration of humanist freethinking, enquiry and hope turns to one of humanism's most celebrated figures, Erasmus. Today, his advocacy of the principles of peace, friendship, and civility take centre stage before attention turns to his enduring legacy. Emma Fielding reads.

In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences.

The abridger is Richard Hamilton

The producer is Elizabeth Allard

Sarah Bakewell turns to one of humanism's most famous thinkers, Erasmus.

Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.

Wilhelm Von Humboldt And Prussian Schooling

20230329

Sarah Bakewell's new book on 700 years of freethinking, enquiry and hope reaches nineteenth century Prussia and explores Wilhelm von Humboldt's bold thinking on the role of the state in matters of humanity and morality. Emma Fielding reads.

In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences.

The abridger is Richard Hamilton

The producer is Elizabeth Allard

Sarah Bakewell explores the Wilhelm von Humboldt's thinking on morality and the state.

Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.

Darwin Huxley And Scientific Humanism

20230330

Sarah Bakewell's new book on 700 years of freethinking, enquiry and hope turns to Darwin's ground-breaking work on evolution, and how T.H. Huxley engaged in scientific ways of thinking about humanity, giving rise to the scientific humanist. Emma Fielding reads.

In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and with T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences.

The reader is Emma Fielding.

The abridger is Richard Hamilton

The producer is Elizabeth Allard

Sarah Bakewell turns to Darwin's ground-breaking work and its contribution to humanism.

Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.

Humanism Is Confronted, By The Rise Of Fascism

20230331

The award-winning writer Sarah Bakewell turns to humanism's response to the rise of Fascism in the 20th century in all its horror. Yet, uplifting words from Bertrand Russell conclude our series and remind us that hope is one of humanism's central pillars. Emma Fielding reads.

In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences.

The abridger is Richard Hamilton

The producer is Elizabeth Allard

Sarah Bakewell turns to humanism's response to the rise of fascism in the 20th century.

Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Petrarch And Boccaccio	20230327	The new book by the prize-winning writer Sarah Bakewell is about 700 years of humanist freethinking, enquiry and hope. It begins in Tuscany in the 1300s where life is uncertain and conflict and hostilities are rife. Into this febrile atmosphere come Petrarch and Boccaccio. The reader is Emma Fielding. Humanly Possible is the latest book from Sarah Bakewell, the award-winning author of 'How to Live' and 'At the Existentialist Cafe'. Here Bakewell delves into the lives of the thinkers who throughout history have set about understanding what it means to be human, and so created the school of thought that we know today as humanism. In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who redesigned Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin with his ground-breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of WWII and its far-reaching consequences. The abridger is Richard Hamilton The producer is Elizabeth Allard Sarah Bakewell's new book on humanist thought begins with Petrarch and Boccaccio. Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.
02	Erasmus And The Principles Of Peace Friendship And Civility	20230328	The award-winning writer Sarah Bakewell's exploration of humanist freethinking, enquiry and hope turns to one of humanism's most celebrated figures, Erasmus. Today, his advocacy of the principles of peace, friendship, and civility take centre stage before attention turns to his enduring legacy. Emma Fielding reads. Humanly Possible is the latest book from Sarah Bakewell, the award-winning author of 'How to Live' and 'At the Existentialist Cafe'. Here Bakewell delves into the lives of the thinkers who throughout history have set about understanding what it means to be human, and so created the school of thought that we know today as humanism. In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences. The abridger is Richard Hamilton The producer is Elizabeth Allard Sarah Bakewell turns to one of humanism's most famous thinkers, Erasmus. Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.
03	Wilhelm Von Humboldt And Prussian Schooling	20230329	Sarah Bakewell's new book on 700 years of freethinking, enquiry and hope reaches nineteenth century Prussia and explores Wilhelm von Humboldt's bold thinking on the role of the state in matters of humanity and morality. Emma Fielding reads. Humanly Possible is the latest book from Sarah Bakewell, the award-winning author of 'How to Live' and 'At the Existentialist Cafe'. Here Bakewell delves into the lives of the thinkers who throughout history have set about understanding what it means to be human, and so created the school of thought that we know today as humanism. In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences. The abridger is Richard Hamilton The producer is Elizabeth Allard Sarah Bakewell explores the Wilhelm von Humboldt's thinking on morality and the state. Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.
04	Darwin Huxley And Scientific Humanism	20230330	Sarah Bakewell's new book on 700 years of freethinking, enquiry and hope turns to Darwin's ground-breaking work on evolution, and how T.H. Huxley engaged in scientific ways of thinking about humanity, giving rise to the scientific humanist. Emma Fielding reads. Humanly Possible is the latest book from Sarah Bakewell, the award-winning author of 'How to Live' and 'At the Existentialist Cafe'. Here Bakewell delves into the lives of the thinkers who throughout history have set about understanding what it means to be human, and so created the school of thought that we know today as humanism. In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and with T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences. The reader is Emma Fielding. The abridger is Richard Hamilton The producer is Elizabeth Allard Sarah Bakewell turns to Darwin's ground-breaking work and its contribution to humanism. Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.
05	Humanism Is Confronted, By The Rise Of Fascism	20230331	The award-winning writer Sarah Bakewell turns to humanism's response to the rise of Fascism in the 20th century in all its horror. Yet, uplifting words from Bertrand Russell conclude our series and remind us that hope is one of humanism's central pillars. Emma Fielding reads. Humanly Possible is the latest book from Sarah Bakewell, the award-winning author of 'How to Live' and 'At the Existentialist Cafe'. Here Bakewell delves into the lives of the thinkers who throughout history have set about understanding what it means to be human, and so created the school of thought that we know today as humanism. In our series we encounter Petrarch and Boccaccio who look back to the ancients for models of good living based on friendship, wisdom and the power of words. Then we encounter Erasmus and find out about his views on education and civility. We'll also come across Wilhelm von Humboldt who re-designed Prussia's education system in the nineteenth century and ensured that it was founded on principles of mutual kindness and liberty. Moving on to the mid-nineteenth century we meet Darwin who with his ground breaking theories on evolution, and the writings of T.H. Huxley gave rise to scientific humanism. In the final episode, the twentieth century's humanists are compelled to confront the horrors of the WWII and it's far reaching consequences. The abridger is Richard Hamilton The producer is Elizabeth Allard Sarah Bakewell turns to humanism's response to the rise of fascism in the 20th century. Sarah Bakewell explores 700 years of humanist thinking, enquiry and hope.