Harry Shearer and Gillian Anderson Voice Philosophy Series
BBC 4 Radio is releasing a series of animations on assorted philosophical topics as a spin-off of its History of Ideas program. Among those doing the voices for the animations are Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) and Harry Shearer (The Simpsons). The episodes were written by Nigel Warburton, who, among other things, interviews philosophers for Philosophy Bites. From The Guardian:
BBC executives are hoping they will become viral hits and reach out beyond the station’s traditional radio audience, helped by having two familiar voices on board. Another two people, yet to be announced, will be recruited to voice the other online episodes… Each week, a different theme will be tackled in the show, which is described as taking a “very 21st-century approach to an ancient set of questions”, exploring ideas from philosophers including Thomas Hobbes and Immanuel Kant.
Related: The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer and The Philosophy of The X-Files.
One of my favorite philosophy-and-Simpsons bits:
In response to an infestation of bears in Springfield, a Bear Patrol is summoned:
Later, a full-force Bear Patrol is on watch. Homer watches proudly.
Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a charm.
Lisa: That’s specious reasoning, Dad.
Homer: Thank you, dear.
Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.
Homer: Oh, how does it work?
Lisa: It doesn’t work.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: It’s just a stupid rock.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: But I don’t see any tigers around, do you?
[Homer thinks of this, then pulls out some money]
Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock.
“Let the bears pay the bear tax, I pay the Homer tax!”
Justin thanks so much for this! As a contributor to the X-Files book, I entertained the fantasy that Anderson might hit me up for a date, but oh well. . .
Justin, for the love of all that is holy, please update this when the program is up and running. I’m dense enough to forget about this but really really don’t want to. I nominate YOU to be my commitment device. 🙂