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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 History of Revolutionary Ideas: Darwin w/Adam Rutherford

30 March 2025

00:00 / 01:04

David talks to geneticist and science writer Adam Rutherford about the book that fundamentally altered our understanding of just about everything: Darwin’s On The Origin of Species (1859). What made the idea of natural selection so different from the theories of evolution that preceded it? How did Darwin arrive at it? What changed when he published his theory and why is it, in so many ways, the most revolutionary idea of them all?

Out tomorrow on PPF+ Darwin Part 2: Adam Rutherford explores how Darwin’s ideas evolved after 1859 and how the revolution in thinking that he started has continued to this day. To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up to PPF+ now https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus

Next time: PPF Live recorded at the Regent Street Cinema: Network w/Helen Lewis

Past Present Future is part of the Airwave Podcast Network

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More episodes

The History of Revolutionary Ideas: The Taiping Revolution

27 March 2025

00:00 / 01:04

The History of Revolutionary Ideas: 1848: The Radical Revolution w/Chris Clark

23 March 2025

00:00 / 01:04

The History of Revolutionary Ideas: 1848: The Liberal Revolution w/Chris Clark

20 March 2025

00:00 / 01:04

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