The title alludes to Darwin’s Descent of Man, and repeats the much-acclaimed series commissioned by David Attenborough on BBC2. (It complemented Civilisation). Jacob Bronowski took 3 years travelling the world tracing the development of human society through its understanding of science. He had a rare grasp of science, but also its historical and social context. He disliked the dichotomy of the arts and the sciences, and was uniquely qualified to take on this magnus opus.
You may remember the original series, and book, and welcome the opportunity to explore again:- Lower than the Angels, The Harvest of the Seasons, The Grain in the Stone, The Hidden Structure, Music of the Spheres, The Starry Messenger, The Majestic Clockwork, World within World, The Ladder of Creation, The Drive for Power, Knowledge or Certainty, Generation upon Generation, The Long Childhood.
Each week we’ll look at one 50 min programme/theme, forming the basis for about 35 mins discussion.