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
Sep 26, 2020 • 50min
Prayer, Holiness, and the Intellectual Life | Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P.
Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P., an expert theologian, discusses the transformative power of God's grace, the pursuit of wisdom and intellectual virtues, the synthesis of moral and theological virtues, and the intersection of prayer, holiness, and the intellectual life in achieving a meaningful and flourishing human life.
Sep 24, 2020 • 34min
The Vocation of the Catholic Intellectual: Faith, Reason, and Service | Prof. Christopher Kaczor
Prof. Christopher Kaczor discusses his Catholic intellectual journey, emphasizing the importance of faith, friendship in intellectual disagreements, belief in God & Christianity, spiritual practices for academics, and working with mentors like Ralph McInerney on Aquinas.
Sep 22, 2020 • 59min
Divinization and the Gradation Of Freedom | Fr. Ephrem Reese, O.P.
Fr. Ephrem Reese, O.P., discusses divine virtues enabling humans to aspire towards a god-like existence. Topics include the application of virtues in different states of life, comparison of divine virtues and freedom of the soul between Plotinus and St. Thomas, and the hierarchy of virtues leading to spiritual perfection.
Sep 19, 2020 • 39min
The Danger of Technology to Human Flourishing | Prof. James Madden
Prof. James Madden discusses the balance between technological development and human agency, exploring the impact of technology on desires, consumption, and the environment. He reflects on Heidegger's views, divine intervention, and the spiritual emptiness caused by progress. The podcast also delves into Augustine's conversion, finding satisfaction in the Creator, and accepting unfulfilled desires as a path to God.
Sep 17, 2020 • 55min
The Virtues of Healthy Dependence | Fr. Gregory Pine
Fr. Gregory Pine, a Catholic priest and theologian, discusses the role of healthy dependence in fostering human interrelatedness and well-being. Topics include exploring the hierarchy of goods based on human nature, the limitations of wealth as an endpoint in life, the importance of common goods in social relationships, and the significance of virtues and cooperation in the Christian tradition.
Sep 15, 2020 • 36min
Freedom in Friendship and Community | Prof. James Madden
Prof. James Madden discusses the relationship between freedom, responsibility, and knowledge, emphasizing the importance of ethical education. The podcast explores self-knowledge through social sciences, the role of friendship in achieving true freedom, and the balance between independence and dependence on others.
Sep 12, 2020 • 38min
True Freedom and Its Counterfeits | Prof. James Madden
Prof. James Madden discusses the complex relationship between freedom and its counterfeits, ethics of human actions, and the role of the will in decision-making. The podcast explores philosophical debates on free will, juxtaposed with neuroscientific findings on unconscious brain activity preceding conscious decisions. It also delves into Libet-style experiments in neuroscience, focusing on the significance of conscious decisions and ethical agency in actions driven by meaningful ends.
Sep 10, 2020 • 49min
The Image of God in Modernity | Fr. Ephrem Reese, O.P.
Fr. Ephrem Reese, O.P. discusses the concept of the Image of God in modern times. The podcast covers historical and philosophical perspectives on the image of God, contrasting ideas of St. Augustine with Nietzsche and Hobbes. It also explores the disappearance of angels in modernity, philosophical views on governance, and reflections on human nature as an image of God.
Sep 8, 2020 • 15min
Christian Theology and the Limits of Politics in Augustine | Prof. Bradley Lewis
Prof. Bradley Lewis discusses Augustine's political theories, blending classical and Christian principles. They explore Augustine's views on the relationship between politics and faith, emphasizing the importance of virtues and heavenly society. Augustine's beliefs on political peace and theology are highlighted, along with the contrast between earthly and heavenly cities in his teachings.
Sep 5, 2020 • 17min
Natural Theology, Civil Theology, and the Limits of Politics in Plato | Prof. Bradley Lewis
Prof. Bradley Lewis discusses Plato's political theories in 'The Republic' and 'The Laws', highlighting the role of natural theology and the limits of politics. The podcast delves into the intersection of faith, reason, and governance in Plato's philosophy, showcasing the contrast between different political communities and the essence of human flourishing.
