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A History of Ideas

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

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A History of Ideas: Lawyer Harry Potter on Eyewitness Testimony

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04/08/2015

Lawyer Harry Potter on Eyewitness Testimony

BBC Radio 4 - A History of Ideas, Lawyer Harry Potter on Eyewitness Testimony

Barrister Harry Potter on whether we can believe our eyes.

Barrister Harry Potter questions the reliability of eyewitness testimony. It is a vital question for justice today, but Harry takes it back to the work of philosopher David Hume.

Barrister Harry Potter asks whether we can believe the evidence of our own eyes. It's a vital question for the justice system today and Harry traces it back to the work of 18th century Philosopher David Hume. Hume, a key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, wrote about miracles, arguing they were most likely the product of wishful thinking and faulty perception. His arguments are still important for barristers, judges and juries still reliant on eye witness testimony to decide guilt or innocence. 

To find out how our eyes deceive us, Harry meets professor Amina Menon, expert in eye witness evidence at Royal Holloway, University of London. And Harry visits professor of philosophy Peter Millican at Oxford University to ask whether Hume's methods can help us overcome our inbuilt biases.

Producer: Melvin Rickarby.

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