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Madame de Stael played about the same role in relation to Napoleon as Yulia Navalnaya does in relation to Putin or Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in relation to Lukashenko. That is, she was a symbol of opposition to the dictator's policies. But what a contrast between her and our contemporaries! Napoleon respected his ideological opponent, read her pamphlets, polemicized and corresponded with her. Lukashenko and Putin declare their opponents terrorists and extremists, threaten the security and even the lives of these brave women. How times change!

Studied Buddhism in Cambridge. Hoping someone will discuss this wonderful quote by Charlotte Brontë's Vilette. Even allowing for her, to me, rather playful narrative voice it still struck me with some impact as a Buddhist. My response is a bit yeah but it's a 'yes and'. Not sure if I would have cut much ice with the wise Miss Bronte. Thoughts anyone? : No mockery in this world ever sounds to me so hollow as that of being told to cultivate happiness. What does such advice mean? Happiness is not a potato, to be planted in mould, and tilled with manure. Happiness is a glory shining far down upon us out of Heaven. She is a divine dew which the soul, on certain of its summer mornings, feels dropping upon it from the amaranth bloom and golden fruitage of Paradise.

As a non academic interested in understanding how we got here and where we might be going, this book and discussion is enlightening. I am now convinced we should assign a chair of philosophy to whatever government may result in the future. Thank you commentators and Ritchie.

Appreciated, looking forward to the book is it out? Where can I get it?

I must admit it was a slog. The book I mean, the talk was a delight. I mean to use it more as a reference book than as a book to read. I especially like the second speaker, aesthetics are important, and positive happiness is Important. Very interesting.

Congratulations on finishing this magnificent project

This was truly wonderful!

Wonderful to see Janet, Alison and Gillian featured here along with Nicholas. Congratulations to all of you at the Voltaire Foundation!

mp3 file downloaded, thank you

So glad to have this discussion online. I am reading the book right now and it is just mind blowing.

As a "lay" reader (non academic) I am enjoying the book to refute not only what I call (Capital C) Christian's and misguided American citizens who think that dealing with a pandemic gives them freedom to NOT by part of the collective solution. I find Joanna Innes' "book review" concept of this video to continue the concept of an academic bubble instead of spreading the concept of the enlightened worked into our current society.

This was fascinating. Thank you! I have yet to read the book but have purchased it. I came here roundabout by reading Rousseau's Julie, or the New Heloise--the new English translation published in 1997. I am a regular citizen and not a philosophe. I suppose I am retreating into these wonderful ideas as a reaction against the last 4 years in the US and the continuing cult of disinformation. Social media is a beast that honest and thorough research will perhaps never find a way to tame. If people believed in witches back when...how can the "truth" or what might be close to the truth anyway deal with the abundance of internet stories...especially clever misleading memes that modern minds are dealing with on social media. Any ideas on educating the followers of tall tales on social media fostered by troublemakers and/or special interest groups...or are we lost and waiting for happiness in heaven again? Again, thank you!