Arts, Humanities, and the Well-Lived Life

October is National Arts and Humanities Month, a coast-to-coast collective celebration of culture in America and an opportunity to raise public awareness about the arts and humanities. Of course that’s part of our basic mission around here, but it’s also an opportunity to spotlight episodes that have tackled questions about how specific arts and humanistic studies contribute to a well-lived life, both for individuals and society more broadly. Check out the conversations below that touch on everything from music and poetry to comedy and dance, including two special episodes recorded during the covid lockdowns that explored how the arts and humanities can provide comfort, connection, and a sense of community.

Arts For All logo: theatre masks, musical note, dancer, paintbrush

The Arts For All?

Guest: Catharine Abell, Professor of Philosophy of Art, The Queen’s College, University of Oxford
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Film Thinking: Title card graphic for a philosophy and film blog.

Philosophy and Film

Guest: David Thomson, Film Critic and author of The New Biographical Dictionary of Film

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Montage of diverse documentaries and films; titles include "Don't Look Up," "Youth Gov," and "Captain Nova.

Can Art Save Us?

Guest: Harriet Hawkins, Professor of Human Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London
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Lightbulb graphic filled with education icons; text overlay: "Keep Calm and Teach On

Comforting Conversations, pt.1

Guest: Ato Quayson, Professor of English, Stanford University


Michaela Bronstein, Professor of English, Stanford University


Lanier Anderson, Professor of Philosophy, Stanford University
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Diverse group of people wearing face masks, Comforting Conversations, pt. 2

Comforting Conversations, pt.2

Guest: Ge Wang, Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics


Laura Wittman, Professor of French and Italian


Harry Elam, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education


Antonia Peacocke, Professor of Philosophy
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