Noble Ancestors and Modern Selves

Thomas Hobbes believed life before civilisation was nasty, brutish and short. From diets to lifestyles, some anthropologists think otherwise. Did hunter gatherers have a better grasp on life? Should we look toward today’s tribal societies to see how to live, or is this a romantic delusion?

BBC documentary maker Bruce Parry, myself and bioethicist Sarah Chan contemplate humanity’s past and present with Oxford philosopher Janet Radcliffe-Richards. Watch our debate on life in traditional societies.

I have been invited to go back and participate in next year’s HowTheLightGetsIn Festival. Learn more about 2015’s event.