The Thomistic Institute

This lecture was given at West Virginia University on November 5, 2021. For information on upcoming events, please visit our website at www.thomisticinstitute.org. About the speaker: Joshua Hochschild is the Monsignor Robert R. Kline Professor of Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s University, where he also served six years as the inaugural Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. His primary research is in medieval logic, metaphysics, and ethics, with broad interest in liberal education and the continuing relevance of the Catholic intellectual tradition. He is the author of The Semantics of Analogy: Rereading Cajetan’s De Nominum Analogia (2010), translator of Claude Panaccio’s Mental Language: From Plato to William of Ockham (2017), and co-author of A Mind at Peace: Reclaiming an Ordered Soul in the Age of Distraction (2017). His writing has appeared in First Things, Commonweal, Modern Age and the Wall Street Journal. For 2020-21 he’s been elected to serve as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association.

Fr. Thomas Petri, O.P. discusses the nature of evil, suffering, and God's omnipotence. Concepts from St. Thomas Aquinas are used to explain evil as a deficiency, the role of free will in moral evil, and the philosophical underpinnings of theodicy.

Prof. Carol Zaleski discusses how C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien's experiences in World War I and II influenced their iconic works, delving into themes of war, hope, and the triumph of good over evil. She explores the concepts of friendship, goodness, and faith in a besieged world, drawing parallels to the Church's community and medieval views of the universe.

Prof. Andrew Abela discusses Distributism, advocating for widespread property ownership over redistribution. They explore the roots in 20th-century English Catholic authors, Pope Leo XIII's influence, Rerum Novarum's impact on faith and workers' rights, critiques of capitalism, and challenges in achieving distributism amidst obstacles like corporate welfare and usury.

Fr. Thomas Davenport, O.P., theologian and philosopher, discusses the confluence of physics and philosophy, exploring determinism in physics, the relevance of Aristotelian and Thomistic principles in modern science, the harmony between science and spirituality, the debate on free will and neuroscience, and the measurement problem in quantum mechanics.

Fr. Michael Dodds, O.P., a Dominican friar and theologian, discusses the compatibility of science and religion. The podcast explores the historical debate between science and religion, challenges the conflict narrative, and emphasizes the harmony between faith and reason. Various perspectives from scientists and theologians are explored, highlighting the integration of science and religion through the teachings of Aquinas and other prominent figures.

Explore Aquinas' doctrine of the Incarnation with Prof. Matthew Levering, discussing Christ as the new Adam and the unity of divine and human natures. Delve into Aquinas' theological reflections, biblical evidence, and the fittingness of Christ's incarnation beyond sin redemption. Learn about Christ's role as the ultimate Redeemer bringing eternal life to humanity and the theological significance of the new Adam in Christian thought.

Dr. Farr Curlin discusses the shift from viewing medicine as a job to recognizing it as a sacred vocation, focusing on finding purpose and integrity in the field. The podcast explores the impact of burnout and industry on healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of practicing medicine with love, faithfulness, and integrity. It also delves into reframing medicine from cures to care, advocating for changes that prioritize patient well-being over efficiency.

Prof. Francis Beckwith discusses law without a lawgiver, exploring natural rights from a divine source, the relationship between natural rights and natural law, the controversy of Nuremberg Trials, exploring the nature of the moral law, and the source of natural moral law.

Prof. Kenneth Kemp discusses the harmony between creationism and evolution, exploring language similarities, faunal succession, and the doctrine of creation in Catholic theology. He delves into Darwin's theory, geological observations, and the relationship between chance and divine providence in evolutionary biology.