The Ideas That Make Us is a new Radio 4 series which reveals the history of the most influential ideas in the story of civilisation, ideas which continue to affect us all today.

In this 'archaeology of philosophy', the award-winning historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes begins each programme with the first, extant evidence of a single word-idea in Ancient Greek culture and travels both forwards and backwards in time, investigating how these ideas have been moulded by history and have impacted on history and the human experience. In this, the last of five programmes, Bettany explores the idea of justice with philosopher Angie Hobbs, British Museum curator Dr Irving Finkel, historian Dr Peter Frankopan and out-going Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge.

Other ideas examined in the first series are desire, agony, fame and justice. Wisdom, comedy, liberty, peace and guest-host friendship will be explored in January 2014.

Producer: Dixi Stewart. Show less