Philosophy is making a comeback — and this time it's not just for intellectuals. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the resurgence of philosophy in everyday life. How Socrates and Nietzsche taught one scholar the art of living. Also, turning to a philosopher for guidance on life's woes. And, philosophical lessons from flying the trapeze.

Alexander Nehamas teaches philosophy at Princeton and is the author of "The Art of Living: Socratic Reflections from Plato to Foucault." He tells Steve Paulson that Socrates made himself an enemy of the state; that Nietzsche would have been horrified by his association with the Nazis, and that Foucault ultimately saw attitudes towards homosexuality as another instrument of social control. Also, we hear an excerpt from the BBC production of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" featuring Deep Thought, the computer charged with calculating the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything. And, Lou Marinoff, president of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association, and author of the forthcoming book "Plato Not Prozac!: Applying Philosophy to Everyday Problems," tells Jim Fleming that some problems are ethical or philosophical, not medical, or psychological. He helps people clarify their thinking about the dilemmas in their lives.

Philosopher Sam Keen is the author of "Learning to Fly: Reflections on Fear, Trust and the Joy of Letting Go." He tells Steve Paulson how his background in philosophy prepared him for life on the flying trapeze. He teaches trapeze workshops on his farm in California.

Distribution dates:

• week of 10/15/2000 - hour 2
• week of 05/30/99 - hour 3