The Habit Father Damian Ference on The Hillbilly Thomist.
Aug 18, 2025
Father Damian Ference, a Cleveland priest and philosophy professor at Borromeo Seminary, discusses the philosophical roots of Flannery O’Connor’s storytelling. He argues that O'Connor’s 'hillbilly Thomist' perspective is deeply influenced by Thomas Aquinas. Delving into how sensory experience shapes our understanding of art and reality, Father Ference emphasizes the interplay between meaning and human experience. He also explores the nuances of storytelling, the pursuit of virtue, and critiques the limitations of artificial intelligence in grasping true human existence.
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Senses-First Metaphysical Realism
- Thomas Aquinas' metaphysics is grounded, senses-first realism that treats matter as meaningful.
- Flannery O'Connor adopts this down-to-earth view to find deep meaning in concrete details.
Keys And Child Learning
- Father Ference recalls his niece exploring car keys to illustrate how senses build knowledge.
- He uses that childlike sensory learning to explain Thomistic epistemology.
Practice The Habit Of Art Daily
- Cultivate the 'habit of art' as a continuous way of seeing, not just a writing schedule.
- Use your senses constantly to discover meaning in ordinary things.
