Alain de Botton's psychobabble-free self-help course for the philosophically minded.
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Alain de Botton
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An epic adventure that aims to unravel the mystery at the heart of our existence: the questions of our identity and our destiny. The series features some of the world’s most baffling real life stories and exciting findings in the fields of consciousness studies, near-death experiences and past-life memories. Adventurous researchers following the evidence where it leads them have discovered that the lines of evidence converge to a conclusion that is refreshingly new – yet perennially known.
Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
What would we be without mucus? Can we live on water? How much does life weigh? Finding out the answers is the aim of ARTE's new science show. In a nod to Douglas Adams's "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", where the figure 42 is the ultimate answer to all questions, 42 tries to provide the answers.
Stefan Molyneux, host of Freedomain Radio, travels to California to explore all of the political, economic, moral and demographic complexities of the Golden State. What he learned astounded him—what he shows you will shock you…
Polish-Flemish philosopher Alicja Gescinska interviews national and international personalities with diverse philosophical and religious backgrounds.
A journey that tells the thought of the greatest protagonists of Western philosophy, from its origins to the great thinkers of the twentieth century, through the story of great contemporary philosophers.
In the fourth and fifth centuries, B.C., the Greeks built an empire that stretched across the Mediterranean from Asia to Spain. They laid the foundation of modern science, politics, warfare and philosophy, and produced some of the most breathtaking art and architecture the world has ever seen. It was perhaps the most spectacular flourishing of imagination and achievement in recorded history.
Psychologist Daniel Gilbert ("Stumbling on Happiness") hosts this three-part look at the emotional side of life.
Series of programmes about psychology, in which Jonathan Miller talks to eminent psychologists about their theories and beliefs.
The Essential Lectures of Alan Watts video series was recorded in 1971 above Muir Woods, California, and in 1972 aboard the ferryboat the SS Vallejo in Sausalito. Produced by his son Mark and directed by long-time archivist Henry Jacobs, the series explores core philosophical themes that spawned over Watts' career.
Asking how you tell what's real and what isn't sounds like an obvious question. But in this series of six programmes, James Burke shows that the more you think about it the harder it is to answer. After all, what have you got, apart from your five senses, to prove those senses are giving you the real thing?
In Introduction to Nietzsche, an eight-hour course, Dr. Peterson embarks on a deep exploration of the life, philosophy, and enduring influence of Friedrich Nietzsche. Set against the backdrop of the late 19th century, we examine how Nietzsche's ideas challenged traditional moral and philosophical foundations, paving the way for new perspectives on the human condition. The course delves into key concepts such as the will to power, the critique of truth and morality, and the affirmation of life in the face of nihilism, while also exploring Nietzsche's complex relationship with religion, academia, and the works of other thinkers. Ultimately, we are invited to confront uncomfortable realities, embrace necessary struggles, and cultivate the courage and gratitude needed to realize our full potential.
In The Philosophy of Science, an eight-hour course, Dr. James Orr traces the development of science from ancient Greece through the Scientific Revolution to today. He examines how theological, institutional, and philosophical forces shaped science, while tackling key issues like the demarcation problem of science versus pseudoscience, Hume’s problem of induction, Kuhn’s theory of paradigm shifts, and the realism debate. The course also engages fascinating unresolved questions raised by cosmology, neuroscience, and quantum mechanics, ultimately arguing that scientific progress does not eliminate philosophical inquiry but rather deepens it, revealing new mysteries that demand philosophical analysis.
In Maps of Meaning, a twelve-hour course, Dr. Jordan B. Peterson explores the foundations of human consciousness, perception, and the pursuit of meaning. Drawing from psychology, mythology, and neuroscience, he examines how we navigate the tension between order and chaos—not as passive observers, but as active participants guided by goals and values. Central to this exploration is the archetypal hero’s journey, which shows how voluntarily confronting suffering and taking responsibility can transform both the individual and society. Grounded in decades of research and personal experience, Dr. Peterson reveals how religious symbols, archetypal narratives, and social hierarchies shape both the individual mind and collective culture. Through powerful insights, the course demonstrates that proper orientation toward the highest good enables us to transform chaos into meaningful order.
In The Sermon on the Mount, an eight-hour course, Dr. Jordan Peterson explores the profound wisdom and symbolism embedded in this foundational biblical text, highlighting the transformative power of living by Christ-like principles. He offers a deep dive into key passages, such as the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer, emphasizing the importance of humility, self-reflection, and the pursuit of meaning when facing life’s challenges. Throughout the lectures, Dr. Peterson masterfully integrates biblical narratives, Jungian psychology, and personal stories, illustrating the enduring relevance of these teachings for navigating the complexities of the human experience.
In Aristotle: From Logic to Life, an eight-hour course, Dr. Orr explores Aristotle's comprehensive philosophical system, tracing his life, empirical methodology, and key contributions to logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, and poetics. We examine his theories of substance, causation, virtue ethics, eudaimonia (human thriving), political life, and his analysis of tragedy and catharsis. The course follows his impact from medieval rediscovery and tensions with monotheism to contemporary revivals, showing why Aristotle remains a vital guide for modern philosophy.
In Ancient Philosophy, a seven-hour course, Dr. Orr takes us on an exploration of the rich history of ancient Greek thought, beginning with the foundational ideas of the Ionian and Eleatic schools and voyaging through the transformative philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. The course also examines the emergence of Stoicism and Epicureanism during the Hellenistic period, emphasizing their distinct approaches to ethics, nature, and the human condition. Throughout the course, we trace the evolution of pivotal concepts in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics that have shaped Western thought for millennia, underscoring the enduring relevance and transformative power of ancient Greek philosophy in modern times.
In God, The Bible & Humanity, a five-hour course, Bishop Robert Barron explores the nature of God, the biblical narrative, and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ through the lens of Catholic theology. Drawing from the Old and New Testaments, he examines themes such as God's transcendence and immanence, the importance of right worship, spiritual liberation, and the roles of priest, prophet, and king. The course culminates in a profound reflection on the Sermon on the Mount and the transformative power of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
An insider's look at the engineering and scientific miracles behind the things that form the modern world.
Morgan Freeman presents his quest in order to find how most religions perceive life after death, what different civilizations thought about the act of creation and other big questions that mankind has continuously asked.
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987. The older version featured historical figures such as Helen Keller and Mark Twain, or long-dead entertainment figures such as Will Rogers or John Barrymore. The A&E series has placed the emphasis on such people as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Plácido Domingo, Freddie Mercury, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Eric Clapton, Pope John Paul II, Gene Tierney, Selena, Diego Rivera, Mao Zedong and Queen Elizabeth II, and fictional characters like The Phantom, Superman, Hamlet, Betty Boop, and Santa Claus. The program ended up profiling enough figures that in 1999, A&E spun it off into an entire network, The Biography Channel.
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the most legendary monuments and powerful organizations in the United States? America’s Book of Secrets lifts the veil of mystery, giving you unparalleled access to historical narratives and insider information previously hidden from the public. Through in-depth research and exclusive channels, this series delves into a variety of familiar but enigmatic American institutions, from the FBI and the Pentagon to Fort Knox and Area 51. Go beyond the locked doors and security checkpoints of government agencies, famous landmarks and stealthy societies to glimpse the hidden worlds you were never intended to see.
British television series which features unusual and often elaborate architectural homebuilding projects.
Have you ever wondered how the products you use every day are made? How It's Made leads you through the process of how everyday products, such as apple juice, skateboards, engines, contact lenses, and many more objects are manufactured.
PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.
Filmed across six continents, this docuseries uses cutting-edge camera technology to capture animals' nocturnal lives, revealing new behaviours filmed in full color like never before.
Professor Brian Cox explores the dramatic lives of the eight majestic planets/worlds that make up our solar system.
Through the prism of Jeff Goldblum's always inquisitive and highly entertaining mind, nothing is as it seems. Each episode is centered around something we all love — like sneakers or ice cream — as Jeff pulls the thread on these deceptively familiar objects and unravels a wonderful world of astonishing connections, fascinating science and history, amazing people, and a whole lot of surprising big ideas and insights.
Travel around the world with author Dan Buettner to discover five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives.
Award-winning actor and nervous explorer Eugene Levy steps out of his comfort zone for a whirlwind tour of the world's most beautiful and intriguing destinations.
An immersive, action-packed and discovery-led series following International teams of Egyptologists as they unearth the world's richest seam of ancient archaeology - Egypt's Valley of the Kings.
The epic motorcycle adventure continues in this third chapter of the Long Way series, as Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman journey to glorious landscapes across South and Central America—on the backs of prototype electric Harley-Davidsons.
Seconds from Disaster is a US/UK-produced documentary television programme that investigates historically relevant man-made and natural disasters of the 20th century. Each episode aims to explain a single incidental by analyzing the causes and circumstances that ultimately effected the disaster. The program uses re-enactments, interviews, testimonies, and CGI to analyze the sequence of events second-by-second for the audience. Narrators for the show are Ashton Smith, Richard Vaughan and Peter Guinness.
Doctor Who Confidential is a documentary to complement the revival of the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Each episode was broadcast on BBC Three on Saturdays, immediately after the broadcast of the weekly television episode on BBC One. The running time of the first two series was 30 minutes, being extended to 45 minutes in the third. BBC Three also broadcast a cut-down edition of the programme, lasting 15 minutes, shown after the repeats on Sundays and Fridays and after the weekday evening repeats of earlier seasons.
Will Smith whose curiosity and wonder is positively infectious—is guided by National Geographic Explorers traveling to different corners of the world to get up close and personal with the weirdest, most unusual, dangerous and thrilling spectacles of the planet.
HISTORY’s longest-running series moves to H2. Modern Marvels celebrates the ingenuity, invention and imagination found in the world around us. From commonplace items like ink and coffee to architectural masterpieces and engineering disasters, the hit series goes beyond the basics to provide insight and history into things we wonder about and that impact our lives. This series tells fascinating stories of the doers, the dreamers and sometime-schemers that create everyday items, technological breakthroughs and manmade wonders. The hit series goes deep to explore the leading edge of human inspiration and ambition.
The history of the sport of baseball in America, told through archival photos, film footage, and the words of those who contributed to the game in each era. Writers, historians, players, baseball personnel, and fans review key events and the significance of the game in America's history.