Something Understood

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BBC Radio 4 LW

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: Walking a Mile in Another Man's Shoes

Walking a Mile in Another Man's Shoes

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Walking a Mile in Another Man's Shoes

Mark Tully examines the place of empathy in politics, religion, medicine and the arts.

Mark Tully discusses the role of empathy in politics, religion, medicine and the arts. With veteran politician Tony Benn, and readings by Harriet Walter and Tim Pigott-Smith.

As the old saying has it, "Before you judge a man, you must walk a mile in his shoes".

At a time when some claim divisions in society to be widening, Mark Tully examines the place of empathy in politics, religion, medicine, popular culture and the arts. He tries to establish the difference between empathy, pity and compassion and consults the works of thinkers and writers - ranging from Jain Mystic Shrimad Rajchandra to T.S. Eliot and comic poet Shel Silverstein.

Mark also talks to veteran politician Tony Benn about the importance of developing empathy in political life and plays music by Mozart, Mark Campbell and the Bhutanese monk, Lama Gyurme.

The readers are Harriet Walter and Tim Pigott-Smith.

Producer: Frank Stirling
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