Taste

Taste

From Arts & Ideas by BBC Radio 4

March 16, 2026 · 57 min

About this episode

The episode explores the concept of taste and its implications in aesthetics and culture.

'It's all in the best possible taste'. But what does it mean to have good taste? And does pursuing good taste lead to favouring style over substance? Who are the thinkers who have considered a philosophy of aesthetics Matthew Sweet hosts Radio 4's late night ideas discussion programme. His guests are: Film historian and New Generation Thinker Sarah Smyth, who lectures in film and TV at the University of Essex Philosopher Dr John Callanan, who lectures on Kant at King's College London Writer and management consultant Peter York, whose books include Style War, co-author of The Official Sloane Ranger handbook Broadcaster and writer Emma Dabiri who co-presented Britain's Lost Masterpieces for BBC 4 and whose latest book is Disobedient Bodies: Reclaim Your Unruly Beauty Opera singer Le Gateau Chocolat Producer Luke Mulhall

People in this episode

Host: Matthew Sweet

Guests: Sarah Smyth, Dr John Callanan, Peter York, Emma Dabiri, Le Gateau Chocolat

Topics covered

  • aesthetics
  • philosophy
  • taste
  • culture
  • style
  • substance

Keywords

  • taste
  • aesthetics
  • philosophy
  • style
  • substance
  • culture
  • discussion

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Essex, King's College London, BBC 4

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