In Our Time: Philosophy

Rather than discussing feminism writ large, this episode uncritically accepted gender essentialism. Dr. Helena Cronin’s theories are insidious, and she argues them as if gender essentialism is a spicy new theory rather than the justification of misogynistic oppression for millennia. Her pontification about the myriad ways in which men are superior to women (e.g. that they “persevere” and are “more ambitious”) went utterly unchallenged by the host or fellow guest Germaine Greer. It was stunning to hear an academic so committed to making sweeping generalizations like this. Why was nobody invited on who might challenge such potentially harmful normative statements, the critique of which is part of the intellectual gift of feminist tradition? Dr. Cronin’s belief in a society that should be arranged based on “good Darwinian science” seems to feel no obligation towards women and girls who have been oppressed for centuries based on alleged biological differences, which have usually been seen as inferiorities. A very disappointing episode for anyone hoping for sophisticated feminist argument.

This host is insufferable. He interrupts each of the experts just as they are about to make their point, making the entire conversation disjointed.

I love this show. Cannot conceive a better way to approach the lives and works of the greatest thinkers in history. Hats off to Mr Bragg and wishing there was something remotely close to the BBC in the US.

Overall a very interesting series of discussions. What’s strange is that Melvyn Bragg knows nothing about philosophy. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It lets the guests speak in much longer, more insightful discourses. With hosts who know the topic they tend to burst in a lot to show their bona fides. Melvyn does the opposite, which makes for a better conversation. The one big drawback is that the guests are often lost as to how to answer his leads. He’ll say something like “tell me about Plato”, which is ridiculously broad in what is meant to be a much narrower topic. Once they regain their composure they do a good job of turning the conversation back to the topic.