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
10 snips
Dec 6, 2025 • 51min
Is Free Will an Illusion? – Prof. Joshua Hochschild
In this engaging discussion, Professor Joshua Hochschild, a philosopher specializing in medieval logic and ethics, tackles the complex issue of free will. He delves into Dante's insights on freedom and divine love, and contrasts instinctual drives with rational thought. Hochschild critiques modern materialist views that deny free will, using metaphors like storms and puppets. He introduces the idea of participated causality, suggesting that while humans share causal influence, they're not entirely self-determined. His analysis emphasizes the enduring relevance of classical thought in understanding human agency.
10 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 41min
Happiness and Virtue: Can it be Good for You to Be Bad? – Prof. Thomas Osborne
Thomas M. Osborne, Jr., a philosophy chair and expert on Aquinas, discusses the interplay between morality and happiness. He argues that vice inherently harms our nature as rational beings, emphasizing that true well-being is found in virtue, not mere pleasure. Osborne delves into how morality can be misperceived as merely useful, contrasting Aristotelian happiness with fleeting psychological gratification. Highlighting the importance of community, he asserts that individual good is intertwined with the common good, making virtue essential for genuine fulfillment.
Dec 3, 2025 • 47min
Virtue and the Meaningful Life – Dr. David McPherson
Dr. David McPherson, a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Florida, dives into the intricate relationship between virtue and a meaningful life. He critiques modern ethics for emphasizing happiness over meaning and defends a neo-Aristotelian perspective, arguing virtues are essential to meaningful living. McPherson explores strong evaluative meaning, martyrdom, and the tension between loss and virtue, emphasizing that true fulfillment arises from noble pursuits and theistic hope, striving for depth in the human experience.
Dec 2, 2025 • 51min
St. Thomas Aquinas: His Life, Wisdom, and Relevance Today – Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy, O.P.
Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy, O.P., a Dominican priest and expert in Thomistic theology, explores the relevance of St. Thomas Aquinas today. He delves into misconceptions of medieval thought and highlights Aquinas’s integrated understanding of happiness, body, and soul. Dunlevy also discusses Aquinas's lifelong commitment to Scripture, his impactful commentaries, and the importance of Eucharistic devotion. Through personal anecdotes, he captures Aquinas-as-teacher, while addressing his contributions to liturgy and mystical theology.
Dec 1, 2025 • 36min
Why We Need the Saints – Prof. Adam Eitel
Prof. Adam Eitel, an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Dallas and expert on Thomas Aquinas, discusses the vital role of saints in moral formation. He explores divine pedagogy and how the lives of saints serve as essential examples for enduring sorrow and growing in virtue. Eitel highlights Aquinas' insights on Job's patience and the significance of hagiographical stories in teaching virtues. He also argues that saints help us navigate the complexities of imitating Christ by providing relatable, concrete models of holiness.
Nov 28, 2025 • 51min
Does Marketing Make Us Less Human? – Dr. John-Paul Heil
Dr. John-Paul Heil, a Core Fellow at Mount St. Mary's University and an expert in marketing and Catholic thought, dives into the complexities of modern marketing. He critiques how manipulative practices undermine human dignity and authentic friendship. Highlighting the AMA's flawed anthropology, he contrasts true friendship with marketing's transactional nature. Heil champions a transparent approach rooted in service and honesty, integrating insights from classical philosophy and contemporary challenges like corporate sustainability.
Nov 27, 2025 • 36min
A Breastplate of Stillness and a Book of Thanksgiving: The Fruits of Patience in the Face of Boredom – Prof. Carl Vennerstrom
Prof. Carl Vennerstrom, a specialist in Eastern patristic theology, dives into the transformative power of patience and perseverance in combating boredom and acedia. He discusses the concept of acedia as a weakening force and shares insights from Evagrius of Pontus on turning temptations into spiritual growth. Vennerstrom emphasizes the importance of prayer, ordered work, and gratitude as tools to cultivate joy amidst digital distractions. He also recounts practical monastic advice, showing how embracing stillness and boredom can lead to true discernment and spiritual strength.
Nov 26, 2025 • 55min
Theology of the Body – Prof. Paige Hochschild
Prof. Paige Hochschild, a theology expert from Mount St. Mary's University, delves into John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, critiquing contemporary purity culture and exploring the impact of dualism on human sexuality. She discusses the significance of bodily integration and the transformative power of grace in relationships. Hochschild emphasizes that true fulfillment stems from divine love and community, while also defending celibacy as a valuable vocation that enriches understanding of marriage. Her insights connect classical theology with modern social issues.
Nov 25, 2025 • 34min
Identity vs. Nature: Aquinas on Who Creates Me – Prof. Jacob Wood
In this engaging discussion, Prof. Jacob W. Wood, a theologian from Franciscan University of Steubenville, navigates the complex waters of identity and nature through the lens of Aquinas. He contrasts Aquinas's views on human nature as divinely created with modern expressive individualism, exploring themes of authentic freedom and common purpose. Wood addresses how virtues foster true freedom and critiques gender identity as a chosen performance, emphasizing the importance of a shared human nature in dialogue across traditions.
12 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 34min
The Way of Beauty: The Church and the Arts – Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P.
Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P., is an Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and a Dominican priest specializing in liturgical studies. He explores how beauty in art, architecture, and liturgy elevates worship and forms the soul. The discussion touches on how beauty leads to God, with insights from Aquinas on integrity, proportion, and clarity. Fr. Innocent emphasizes the role of beauty in both personal and communal worship and its importance in evangelization, illustrating his points with examples from diverse church architectures.
