And, if so, what does “He” want of us? Three scholars–a rabbi, a Christian minister and a Professor of Divinity–join us in a mind-stretching and probing discussion of competing theologies.

The inventor of the great detective, Sherlock Holmes, was, in his own life, a physician-adventurer whose experiences match those of the Wizard of Baker Street. John Lettenberg, in his biography of four years ago–and in this discussion recorded when he came to visit with us–puts forth a rich portrait of the fabulous Doctor Doyle.

James Flynn, a leading psychologist from Australia, offers evidence that average IQ has been increasing across recent decades. Here’s his evidence and the skeptical response of the psychologist-host of the program.

The “big bang” occurred some 13.7 billion years ago and thus began the universe. But was it only one of many (perhaps an infinity) of other such events which also generated many (perhaps an infinity) of other universes? That and other basic cosmological questions are under discussion here with three major astrophysicists.

When was that? The 30s, 40s and 50s during which every form flourished including the classic “soap operas,” band broadcasts, variety shows, comedy series and extensive coverage of World War II. Our guide is the major radio historian, Fred MacDonald and here he is along with many great sound clips.

What will we be eating (and why) a hundred years from now or – for that matter – in 2020? The future of food depends upon climate, politics, costs and sheer human curiosity and perversity, according to the three experts who joined us in this discussion.

The mode of ultimate inquiry represented by the likes of Plato and Aristotle still flourishes. One of the most significant practitioners of modern philosophy is Martha Nussbaum, with whom we had this memorable conversation focused on classical and contemporary concerns.

The preface to World War II was, of course, the Spanish Civil War. What caused it, how it was fought and the ultimate consequences of the fascist victory are discussed here by Stanley Payne, that war’s most notable historian.

Baseball did not begin in Cooperstown N.Y. Nor was it invented by Abner Doubleday. The real history of the game and its further evolution are colorfully recounted here by one of its leading scholars.

A good politician knows how to deliver a speech that pulls at the heartstrings. An effective politician knows how to work in a joke or some clever wordplay to put the people at ease. And then there’s the political gaffe, which can sink a campaign or make a mockery of one’s rule. Rich Rubino is a fine political reporter, pundit and author who has given us a great collection of odd and obscure political facts in a previous work. He has just published a collection of humorous political quotations that is great fun. He joined Milt to share some of his favorites.