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Hedonism

Tom Sutcliffe discusses hedonism with RSC artistic director Greg Doran, sociologist Julia Twigg, science writer Zoe Cormier and Classics lecturer Kurt Lampe.

Tom Sutcliffe discusses hedonism, from the ultra-hedonists in ancient Greece to the seasonal impulse to indulge. Tom's joined by RSC artistic director Greg Doran who's looking at hedonism in Shakespeare, from Toby Belch to Falstaff; by Prof Julia Twigg who assesses hedonism and asceticism in the contemporary world; by writer Zoe Cormier who's explored the science of hedonism and the hedonism of science; and by Kurt Lampe from Bristol University on the philosophical hedonists of Cyrene, an ancient city in modern day Libya.

Producer: Simon Tillotson.

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43 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 Dec 2014 21:30
±«Óãtv Radio 4

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Kurt Lampe

Kurt Lampe is a lecturer in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Bristol.

The Birth of Hedonism: The Cyrenaic Philosophers and Pleasure as a Way of Life is published by Princeton University Press.

Gregory Doran

Gregory Doran is the RSC's Artistic Director.

Henry IV Parts I & II is at the Barbican Theatre in London until 24 January.

Zoe Cormier

Zoe Cormier is an author, journalist and science writer.

Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science is published by Profile Books.

Julia Twigg

Julia Twigg is Professor of Social Policy and Sociology at the University of Kent.

Credits

Presenter Tom Sutcliffe
Interviewed Guest Greg Doran
Interviewed Guest Zoe Cormier
Interviewed Guest Julia Twigg
Interviewed Guest Kurt Lampe
Producer Simon Tillotson

Broadcasts

  • Mon 22 Dec 2014 09:00
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4
  • Mon 22 Dec 2014 21:30
    ±«Óãtv Radio 4

Podcast

  • Start the Week

    Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday