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David Runciman

The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

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A bi-weekly podcast exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, science to fiction.

Latest episode

The Lives of the Philosophers: Elizabeth Anscombe

13 September 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Today’s episode in our series about twentieth-century philosophy and biography explores the life and thought of Elizabeth Anscombe (G. E. M. Anscombe), a remarkable and remarkably uncompromising philosopher. David talks to Nikhil Krishnan about Anscombe’s relationship with Wittgenstein, her relationship with Catholicism and her fierce relationship with the truth. Why did she believe that consequentialism was capable of corrupting the young? And why did she insist that Harry Truman was a war criminal?

You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus upcoming events and full lists of all episodes including PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com

Next time in the Lives of the Philosophers: Hannah Arendt

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More episodes

Now & Then with Robert Saunders: Gladstone vs Disraeli Part 2 (Burnham vs Badenoch)

9 September 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Now & Then with Robert Saunders: Gladstone vs Disraeli – The Bulgarian Horrors

6 September 2026

00:00 / 01:04

The Lives of the Philosophers: Jean-Paul Sartre

2 September 2026

00:00 / 01:04

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