The 1948 BBC radio debate between Bertrand Russell and Frederick Copleston on the existence of God is justly famous as a notable moment in the history of twentieth century philosophy. For one thing, it seems to have been the first time that two respected philosophers - one highly and widely respected-debated publicly, in the mass media, on the existence of God. Before 1948, there had been many public debates on the subject, but between popular atheists, like Charles Bradlaugh, and clergymen of various religious denominations, where neither debater had any real standing in philosophy.
In his Life of Bertrand Russell (1975), Ronald Clark describes Russell's involvement with the BBC, and how, by 1947, it had become intense. Continuing his account, Clark quotes Ronald Lewin of the BBC as saying that "Of all the many speakers I handled I would put Bertie among the most professional... His scripts were always immaculately composed to exactly the right length and written in a style that absolutely fitted his way of speaking." And it was this, as Clark then observes, that "led on to a major unscripted debate with Father Copleston on 'The Existence of God'... 'Copleston is a find', the Director-General [of the BBC] wrote the following day [after the debate]. 'He was the first man I had heard who could stand in the same ring as Russell on these matters and not seem out of place"."
In his Memoirs of a Philosopher (1993), Copleston himself says a good deal about his 1948 encounter with Russell. However, five years earlier, Copleston had sent me a lengthy account of the debate, in a letter dated 9 February 1988. It was written in reply to one I sent him expressing my gratitude for a Sunday Times review he wrote of my History of Atheism in Britain. In my letter I asked him if he had any memories of his 1948 debate with Russell that I might include if there was a new edition of my History.
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The Two Dennises
Hannah Mortimer observes a close encounter of the same kind.
Heraclitus (c.500 BC)
Harry Keith lets flow a stream of ideas about permanence and change.
Does the Cosmos Have a Purpose?
Raymond Tallis argues intently against universal intention.
Is Driving Fossil-Fuelled Cars Immoral?
Rufus Duits asks when we can justify driving our carbon contributors.
Abelard & Carneades Yes & No
Frank Breslin says 'yes and no' to presenting both sides of an argument.
Frankl & Sartre in Search of Meaning
Georgia Arkell compares logotherapy and atheistic existentialism.
Luce Irigaray
Luce Irigaray, now ninety-two years old, was, among many other things, one of the most impactful feminists of the 1970s liberation movements - before she was marginalised, then ostracised, from the francophone intellectual sphere.
Significance
Ruben David Azevedo tells us why, in a limitless universe, we’re not insignificant.
The Present Is Not All There Is To Happiness
Rob Glacier says don’t just live in the now.
Philosophers Exploring The Good Life
Jim Mepham quests with philosophers to discover what makes a life good.