The Thomistic Institute The Mission of the University and the Role of the Humanities | Prof. Michael Foley
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Jul 11, 2025 Michael Foley, a Catholic theologian and Professor of Patristics at Baylor University, passionately explores the vital role of humanities in modern education. He critiques the consumerist model prevalent in universities, advocating for an integrated approach that fosters wonder and self-emptying. Foley stresses the importance of connecting STEM and humanities to cultivate holistic understanding. Through literary and philosophical insights, he emphasizes how genuine fulfillment stems from self-denial and a deeper engagement with the human experience.
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Self-Emptying Enables Fulfillment
- Human fulfillment requires self-emptying and self-denial to achieve true spiritual satisfaction.
- Freedom is wisely aimed at self-limitation, not hedonistic seizing of pleasures.
Cavalier Acceptance of Death
- True love and life require accepting death without fear or fixation.
- Martyrs and Christ show that giving life away for greater goods confers ultimate fulfillment.
Consumerist University Model
- The consumerist university sees knowledge as power to seize for personal gain.
- This model promotes fragmented specialization and prioritizes life at all costs for wealth and status.
