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Four Thought

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Series of thought-provoking talks on topics that affect culture and society.

Series of thought-provoking talks in which the speakers air their thinking on the trends, ideas, interests and passions that affect culture and society

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Four Thought: Series 2

Four Thought: Series 2: Episode 2: Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise

Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise

Episode 2

Episode 2: Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Four Thought, Series 2, Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise

Jonathan Sumption argues against apologising today for historical events.

Jonathan Sumption discusses the concept of inherited guilt, and argues that there are serious moral objections to apologising today for historical events.

Judge and historian Jonathan Sumption discusses modern apologies for historical events. 

Starting with Tony Blair's apology for the Irish potato famine and Pope John Paul II's 94 such apologies, he argues that the trend is turning into a tide. 

He argues that such apologies rely on a concept of inherited guilt, and asks whether the benefits ever outweigh the serious moral and philosophical objections.

Producer: Giles Edwards.

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Episode 2: Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise

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