History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

HoP 209 - It’s the Thought that Counts - Abelard’s Ethics

Peter Abelard sets out an innovative ethical theory that identifies intentions as the core of moral life.

HoP 208 - Get Thee to a Nunnery - Heloise and Abelard

Peter Abelard and Heloise prove themselves to be fascinating thinkers as well as star-crossed lovers.

HoP 207 - All or Nothing - The Problem of Universals

Abelard and other logicians of the 12th century argue over the status of universals: are they words or things?

HoP 206 - Eileen Sweeney on Anselm

Anselm expert Eileen Sweeney discusses his approach to philosophy and the devotional aspect of his works.

HoP 205 - Somebody's Perfect - Anselm's Ontological Argument

The most famous argument in medieval philosophy is Anselm's proof of God's existence. But how is it supposed to work?

HoP 204 - A Canterbury Tale - Anselm's Life and Works

Anselm offers more than his famous ontological argument, including a subtle account of human freedom.

HoP 203 - Virgin Territory - Peter Damian on Changing the Past

Peter Damian takes up a question with surprising philosophical implications: can God restore virginity to a woman who has lost it?

HoP 202 - Philosophers Anonymous - the Roots of Scholasticism

Little-known authors prepare the way for scholasticism with glosses on logic, metaphysical debate, and a poem about a cat.

HoP 201 - Stephen Gersh on Medieval Platonism

Stephen Gersh (who was Peter's doctoral advisor!) joins him to discuss the sources and influence of Platonism in the Middle Ages.

HoP 200 - Jill Kraye and John Marenbon on Medieval Philosophy

We celebrate reaching episode 200 with a special double interview on the problem of defining medieval philosophy.

HoP 199 - Much Ado About Nothing - Eriugena's Periphyseon

Eriugena delves into the Greek tradition to produce his masterpiece of metaphysics and theology, the Periphyseon.

HoP 198 - Grace Notes - Eriugena and the Predestination Controversy

John Scotus Eriugena debates free will with his rival Gottschalk, arguing that God predestines the saved but not the damned.

HoP 197 - Charles in Charge - The Carolingian Renaissance

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

HoP 196 - Arts of Darkness - Introduction to Medieval Philosophy

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

HoP 195 - Anke von Kügelgen on Contemporary Islamic Thought

Anke von Kügelgen joins Peter to discuss developments over the last century or so, including attitudes towards past thinkers like Avicenna, Averroes and Ibn Taymiyya.

HoP 194 - Iran So Far - After Ṣadrā

From Sabzawārī in the 19th century to Seyyed Hossein Nasr today, Iranian thinkers promote and respond to the thought of Mullā Ṣadrā.

HoP 193 - All for One and One for All - Muḥammad 'Abdūh and Muḥammad Iqbāl

Muḥammad 'Abdūh and Muḥammad Iqbāl challenge colonialism and the traditional religious scholars of Islam.

HoP 192 - The Stronger Sex - Women Scholars and Islam

Fatema Mernissi and others challenge the long-standing (but not complete) exclusion of women from the intellectual traditions of Islam.

HoP 191 - The Young Ones: Encounters with European Thought

18th and 19th century intellectuals in India and the Ottoman empire, from Shāh Walī Allāh to the Young Turks, continue Islamic traditions and grapple with European science.

HoP 190 - Turkish Delights - Philosophy under the Ottomans

Kātib Çelebi defends cigarettes and coffee, in just one of several philosophical and religious debates in the Ottoman empire.