The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 10, 2025 • 21min
Thomistic Wisdom for the Pilgrimage to God – Prof. John Cuddeback
Join Professor John A. Cuddeback, a seasoned philosopher at Christendom College, as he explores the profound connection between Thomistic wisdom and our spiritual journey. He emphasizes the importance of making God our ultimate end, advising listeners on how to align their actions with this divine purpose. Cuddeback discusses balancing worldly and spiritual goods, the role of wisdom in creating cosmic order, and practical steps for incorporating prayer and thoughtful action into daily life. Discover how cleaving to God can lead to true fulfillment and peace.
Oct 9, 2025 • 20min
Thomistic Wisdom for the Pilgrimage to God – Prof. Paige Hochschild
Prof. Paige Hochschild, a theology expert from Mount St. Mary's University, delves into Thomistic wisdom and the spiritual journey to God. She discusses the key virtues of patience, hope, and memory required for this pilgrimage. Hochschild highlights how Dante's 'Divine Comedy' illuminates the challenges faced on this path, including the need for purgation and the significance of memory in spiritual fulfillment. She redefines patience as an active, hopeful trust and explores its role in combating fear and guiding desire toward the divine.
Oct 8, 2025 • 48min
Must Beautiful Things be Natural? – Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Providence College, dives deep into the intriguing question of whether beauty must be natural. He explores Thomistic metaphysics, comparing the views of Maritain and Gilson on artistic creativity. Hain discusses beauty's connection to form and proportion, using contemporary examples from architecture and literature. He also highlights Tolkien’s tale, revealing the complex relationship between beauty, enchantment, and natural obligations. The discussion intertwines philosophy with practical implications for understanding art and beauty.
14 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 50min
Are Societies Natural? The Metaphysics of Thomistic Social Thought – Prof. Joshua Hochschild
Prof. Joshua Hochschild, a philosophy expert at Mount St. Mary’s University, dives into the nature of societies through a Thomistic lens. He argues that social forms like families and states have intrinsic purposes essential to human flourishing. Hochschild contrasts organic and mechanistic views of governance, exploring how modern society often overlooks genuine community in favor of contractarian frameworks. He emphasizes the role of language in shaping justice and critiques alienating social structures. Ultimately, he calls for moral leadership to nurture communities aligned with human nature.
Oct 6, 2025 • 33min
Are the Virtues Natural? – Fr. John Sica, O.P.
Fr. John Sica, O.P. is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Providence College and a Dominican priest. He delves into whether virtues are natural or learned, drawing on Aristotle and Aquinas. Sica argues that virtues aren't innate but can be cultivated through habituation and moral training. He likens learning virtues to mastering penmanship, emphasizing that these character qualities become a 'second nature.' The discussion illuminates how habits can perfect our inherent powers, guiding us toward our true potential.
38 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 44min
From Nature to Norm: How to Derive 'Ought' From 'Is' – Prof. Catherine Peters
Catherine Peters, an associate professor of medieval philosophy, passionately explores how to derive 'ought' from 'is' using a Thomistic natural law framework. She delves into the essence of human nature as the foundation for objective moral norms, emphasizing the importance of teleology and reason. Peters also clarifies that mere facts cannot establish moral duties and discusses the distinctions between law, virtue, and natural law precepts. Her insights provide a compelling bridge between philosophical anthropology and practical ethical reasoning, challenging listeners to reconsider the is-ought debate.
Oct 2, 2025 • 57min
The Natural and the Artificial – Prof. Christopher Frey
Christopher Frey, McFarlin Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tulsa, dives into the intriguing distinction between the natural and the artificial. He explores how art imitates nature, emphasizing Aristotle’s views on internal principles of motion. Topics include the unity of fire as a natural body, the contingent nature of human artifacts like houses, and how living organisms are unified by the soul. Frey also discusses how human creativity can both enhance and subvert natural processes, using examples like agriculture and city-building to highlight these complex interactions.
Oct 1, 2025 • 54min
Nature's Cheat Codes? On the Course of Nature and its Laws – Prof. John G. Brungardt
Join John G. Brungardt, an associate professor of philosophy at Newman University and a Dominican tertiary, as he dives into the fascinating relationship between nature's laws and their underlying natures. He discusses the shift from viewing laws as divine orders to modern instrumental 'cheat codes.' Brungardt argues for a return to understanding natures as causally prior to laws. He also explores how scientific laws serve as human conceptual transcriptions of natural relations and ends by emphasizing love as the principle that maintains order in nature.
Sep 30, 2025 • 51min
Aquinas on Nature and the Natural: Form and the Scale of 'Esse' – Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P.
Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P., a Dominican priest and philosophy expert, dives deep into Aquinas' metaphysical framework. He explores the distinction between essence and esse, highlighting how they shape our understanding of being. Discussing a scalar view of esse, he illustrates how this concept applies to all forms of life—from plants to angels. Raymund also connects Aquinas' ideas to ancient influences, emphasizing the unity of creation and the importance of a single Creator. His insights fuse philosophy with theology in a captivating dialogue.
Sep 29, 2025 • 58min
Aquinas on Nature and the Natural: Endoxa and Principles – Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P.
Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P., a Dominican priest and philosophy scholar, dives deep into Thomistic natural philosophy, emphasizing Aristotelian principles. He discusses the complexities of defining nature and the significance of endoxa, or received opinions, in philosophical inquiry. Snyder contrasts modern interpretations of nature with Aquinas' views, highlighting act and potency as central concepts. He beautifully ties together the notions of form and substance, illustrating how these ideas shape our understanding of motion and existence.
