Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Migrated podcast image for: A History of Ideas

A History of Ideas

Documentaries

Factual

Factual: History

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the work of key philosophers and their theories.

BBC Radio 4 FM

A History of Ideas: Historian Justin Champion on William Whiston's Comet Theory

How Did Everything Begin?

16/01/2015

Historian Justin Champion on William Whiston's Comet Theory

BBC Radio 4 - A History of Ideas, Historian Justin Champion on William Whiston's Comet Theory

Historian Justin Champion on William Whiston, the spiritual father of the Philae lander.

Historian Justin Champion on William Whiston, the spiritual father of the Philae lander and someone for whom science was designed to fulfil Christian ideas not dispel them.

Historian Justin Champion on Early Modern Comet Theory

Those who watched in awe as the space craft Philae bounced its way onto a comet last November should hold a candle for William Whiston. Back in 1696 this British theologian, mathematician and acolyte of Isaac Newton published a book called 'A new theory of the earth'. In it he argued that comets were responsible for the origins of the earth and life upon it. This was what Philae was tasked to help us find out when it dotted down on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Not only does this feel like a coup for early modern farsightedness it also reminds us that much of early science was not built in opposition to Christianity but in order to justify it. Whiston's investigation of the natural world (like those of his peers) was designed to show how the biblical account of creation was true.

BBC Radio 4

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

A History of Ideas

Historian Justin Champion on William Whiston's Comet Theory

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4