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Something Understood

Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

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Something Understood: Art of Prediction

Art of Prediction

19/06/2011

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Art of Prediction

Mark Tully polishes his crystal ball and ponders the value of prediction.

With the help of prophets ancient and modern, Mark Tully ponders the value of prediction. Should those who make prophecies be heeded?

Mark Tully polishes his crystal ball and, with the help of prophets ancient and modern, ponders the value of prediction. Should we be grateful to those who can see the follies of our ways while we are in the thick of them? And should we be more prepared to listen to their foretellings, even if the news is bad. 

In an interview for the programme, Julius Lipner, Professor of Hinduism and the Comparative Study of Religion at Cambridge University, explains the prophetic aspects of Hinduism, where the actions of this life can influence the next. He is sceptical about some of the devices used by soothsayers to ensure that what they say can be interpreted as correct, whatever actually happens. He has some sympathy, though, for those who make predictions and expose themselves to our tendency to 'shoot the messenger' if we don't like the message.

Tully, himself, wonders briefly if there is any point in trying to prophesize what is ahead:'To those who will be alive in the future, our present, and its prophecies will be irrelevant, as they look to their futures.' But, in the end, he comes down very much in favour of contemplating the future consequences of our current actions.

It's unlikely, though, that all our predictions will be as prescient as Friar Roger in the 13th century, quoted in the programme as foreseeing, 'optical instruments, mechanically propelled boats and flying machines'.


Producer: Adam Fowler
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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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