Historical Context

77 - Caesarian Section: Philosophy in the Roman Empire

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Peter introduces philosophy in late antiquity, when Aristotelianism and Platonism made a comeback, and pagan philosophy developed alongside Judaism and Christianity.

101 - Father Figures: Introduction to Ancient Christian Philosophy

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Peter surveys Christian philosophy in the Roman empire, looking ahead to major figures like Origen and Augustine.

120 - The Straight Path: Philosophy in the Islamic World

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The rise of Islam creates a new context for philosophy not only among Muslims, but also Jews and Christians.

124 - The Chosen Ones: Judaism and Philosophy

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The roots of Jewish philosophy in the Islamic world, focusing on the Rabbinic background in the Mishnah and Talmud, and the thought of early figures like Isaac Israeli.

146 - Philosophy's Reign in Spain: Andalusia

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A look at the culture and historical context that made possible a flowering of philosophy among Muslims and Jews in al-Andalus (Muslim-controlled Spain and Portugal).

171 - Golden Ages: The Later Eastern Traditions

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An introduction to later developments in philosophical theology, sufism, and Illuminationism, focusing on the reception and critique of Avicenna.

196. Arts of Darkness: Introduction to Medieval Philosophy

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Peter launches the series of podcasts on philosophy in medieval Latin Christendom with a look ahead at what’s to come.

197. Charles in Charge: The Carolingian Renaissance

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Alcuin leads a resurgence of interest in philosophy and the liberal arts at the court of Charlemagne.

2. Sages, Schools and Systems: a Historical Overview

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A whirlwind tour of philosophical literature in India.

3. Kingdom for a Horse: India in the Vedic Period

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The Vedic period sets the historical context of the Upaniṣads, Buddhism and Jainism.

249. Paris When it Sizzles: the Condemnations

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Two rounds of condemnations at Paris declare certain philosophical teachings as heretical. But what were the long term effects?

265. Time of the Signs: the Fourteenth Century

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An introduction to philosophy in the 14th century, focusing on two big ideas: nominalism and voluntarism.

61. What Happened Next: Indian Philosophy After Dignaga

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A whirlwind tour of developments in Indian philosophy after Dignāga and a few words about the contemporary relevance of the tradition.

See the India timeline here on the site for the various names mentioned in this episode.

62. Kit Patrick on Philosophy and Indian History

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The host of the History of India podcast joins us for the final episode on India.

301. The Empire Strikes Back: Introduction to Byzantine Philosophy

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We begin to look at the third tradition of medieval philosophy, in which the heritage of classical antiquity is preserved and debated by the Byzantines.

303. Don’t Picture This: Iconoclasm

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Is it idolatry to venerate an icon of a saint, or of Christ? The dispute leads the Byzantines to ponder the relation between an image and its object.

317. Made by Hand: Byzantine Manuscripts

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Without handwritten copies produced by Byzantine scribes, we would know almost nothing about ancient philosophy. How and why were they made?

318. Oliver Primavesi on Greek Manuscripts

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Oliver Primavesi tells us how Greek manuscripts are used to establish the text of authors like Aristotle.

Prof Primavesi runs the Munich School of Ancient Philosophy together with Christof Rapp and Peter Adamson.

321. Judith Herrin on Byzantium and Islam

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Historian Judith Herrin joins us to talk about competition and mutual influence between Islam and Byzantium.

29. Out of Africa: Slavery and the Diaspora

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An introduction to Africana philosophical thought as it emerged from the modern experience of slavery and colonization by Europeans.

326. Istanbul (Not Constantinople): the Later Orthodox Tradition

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When the Byzantine empire ended in 1453, philosophy in Greek did not end with it. In this episode we bring the story up to the 20th century.

327. Michele Trizio on Byzantine and Latin Medieval Philosophy

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The series on Byzantium concludes as guest Michele Trizio discusses the mutual influence of Byzantium and Latin Christendom.

328. Old News: Introduction to the Italian Renaissance

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A first look at the themes and figures of philosophy in the Italian Renaissance.

329. Greeks Bearing Gifts: Byzantine Scholars in Italy

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Bessarion and George Trapenzuntius, rival scholars from the Greek east who helped inspire the Italian Renaissance.

37. Liberty, Equality, Humanity: The Haitian Revolution

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In an age of revolutions and revolutionary ideas, the Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804 stands out as the most radical of them all.

68. The Problem of the Color Line: Introducing the Twentieth Century

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By exploring the work and activities of W.E.B. Du Bois around the turn of the twentieth century, we introduce some of the themes of our coverage of that century.

371. European Disunion: Introduction to the Reformation

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How humanism and scholasticism came together with the Protestant Reformation to create the philosophy of 15 - 16th century Europe.

372. Strong, Silent Type: the Printing Press

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The impact of the printing press on the history of philosophy, and its role in helping to trigger the Reformation.

407. Maria Rosa Antognazza on Early Modern Toleration

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An interview on the nature of religious tolerance, and the forms it took during the Reformation and in the thought of early modern thinkers like Locke and Leibniz.

Maria Rosa Antognazza is Professor of Philosophy at King's College London.

416. God’s is the Quarrel: the English Reformation

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The historical context of English philosophy in the sixteenth century, with particular focus on Thomas Cranmer, and the role of religion in personal conscience and social cohesion.

417. To Kill a King: The Scottish Reformation

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John Knox polemicizes against idolaters and female rulers, while the humanist George Buchanan argues more calmly for equally radical political conclusions.

418. Diarmaid MacCulloch on the British Reformations

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A leading expert on the history of the Reformation joins us to explain the very different stories of England and Scotland in the 16th century.

438. Don't Give Up Pope: Catholic Reformation

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How the Counter-Reformation or Catholic Reformation created a context for philosophy among Catholics, especially in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

439. Cancel Culture: The Inquisition

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How religious persecution and censorship shaped the context of philosophy in Catholic Europe in the sixteenth century.

440. Longitudinal Studies: Exploration and Science

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Iberian expeditions to the Americas inspire scientists, and Matteo Ricci’s religious mission to Asia becomes an encounter between European and Chinese philosophy.

4. Open Season: the Historical Context

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The historical context of classical Chinese philosophy, and how ancient Chinese historical works themselves became works of philosophy.