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This excellent (and enthusiastically reviewed) BBC2 series traced the history
of Western Philosophy over two millennia: in each edition Bryan Magee discusses
the ideas of one or more great thinker of the past with an expert guest (some -
like Peter Singer and A.J. Ayer - distinguished thinkers in their own right).
Two editorial choices should be noted. Most of the selections of great
philosophers from Plato through Kant are uncontroversial. Then among nineteenth
century philosophers, the programme-makers concentrate on the European figures
commonly belittled in the English-speaking world (Hegel, Marx, Schopenhauer,
Nietzsche). By contrast, except for one episode on Existentialism, the final
selections are all solidly within the 'Anglo-Saxon' tradition of Analytical
Philosophy, ignoring later developments in Continental Philosophy.
Also reflected in the choice of subjects, and in their treatments, is the
focus on two branches of the subject: Metaphysics (what is the nature of
reality?) and Epistemology (what do we really know, and where does our knowledge
come from?). Other important areas, such as Ethics, are merely touched upon.
This ensures thematic continuity from programme to programme.
The success of the programmes depends on the relationship between the
interviewees' expertise on their subject matter and Magee's insightful grasp of
the techniques of presentation and interviewing, honed ever since his days as a
regular reporter on ITV's This Week (1956-92). Magee opens every edition delivering to
camera an unhurried summary of the chosen philosopher's life and work. Once the
interview is underway he frequently pauses to summarise in extremely lucid
terms, and sometimes at great length, what his guest has said about abstract
issues that could easily confuse viewers being confronted with them for the
first time.
Aside from its heady subject matter, much of the pleasure in watching the
series comes from observing the dynamics between host and guest. In most cases,
these serve the programmes beautifully, but occasional tensions can be sensed.
For example, the edition on Schophenauer presented the production team with a
problem: Magee is himself a published expert on the great German thinker, but
could hardly conduct a dialogue with himself. The very distinguished historian
of philosophy, former priest Frederick Coplestone, was chosen to speak about
Schopenhauer, and there seems to be a slight testiness in some of his responses
to the much younger Magee. By contrast, Ayer, in speaking about Bertrand
Russell, is both warm and considered in his discussion of his mentor and
friend.
Patrick Russell
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1. Method of doubt (6:00)
