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
Mar 4, 2020 • 60min
The Question of Free Will in the Modern World | Prof. Paul Symington
Prof. Paul Symington explores free will in philosophy, discussing Aristotelian and Thomistic views, hylomorphism, intellect-will interplay, determinism, consciousness, and Freud's theories on decision-making.
Mar 3, 2020 • 57min
The Trinitarian Consciousness of Christ | Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P.
Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., discusses the Trinitarian consciousness of Christ, exploring his human self-awareness in cultural context and divine unity with the Father and Holy Spirit. The conversation delves into Christ's unique sonship claims, depiction in the Gospels, and the debates surrounding the number of consciousnesses Christ may possess. It also explores the significance of Jesus' miracles in uncovering his divine nature and the importance of maintaining a coherent philosophical position in theological discourse.
Feb 29, 2020 • 1h 8min
True Friendship: A Thomistic Guide | Prof. John Cuddeback
Explore the significance and types of true friendship with guest Prof. John Cuddeback, emphasizing the importance of shared life, virtue, and deliberate effort. Delve into the rarity of genuine friendships, building trust and deep connections. Learn about the steps to initiate meaningful relationships by choosing loyal friends and fostering divine friendship inspired by Christ's love.
Feb 27, 2020 • 1h 1min
God Is Not Nice | Prof. Ulrich Lehner
Prof. Ulrich Lehner challenges the notion of a 'Nice God' theology, emphasizing radical transformation and a deeper spiritual connection. He explores varying levels of love from God, the importance of living virtuous lives in a church community, and balancing emotions with reason in faith. The podcast highlights the concept of God not always being 'nice' and the human imitation of Christ through a blend of tenderness and truth.
Feb 26, 2020 • 47min
How Could a Good God Allow Evil? | Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., discusses the philosophical implications of evil, distinguishing between physical and moral evil. He explores the nature of evil actions as a deficiency and the purpose of pain in guiding individuals. The podcast also delves into St. Thomas Aquinas' interpretation of cosmic continuity and the mystery of God's purposes in allowing evil for positive outcomes.
Feb 25, 2020 • 1h 24min
What is Matter? | Prof. Edward Feser
Prof. Edward Feser explores historical and philosophical perspectives on matter, advocating for hylomorphism while critiquing the mechanistic worldview. He delves into Aristotle's distinction between actuality and potentiality, contrasting it with Zeno's paradoxes. Feser discusses hylomorphism, explaining the roles of matter and form in tying universal patterns to specific objects and how quantum mechanics aligns with this concept. He explores empirical evidence supporting Aristotle's theory of matter as pure potentiality over elementary particles.
Feb 22, 2020 • 1h 3min
Can a Feminist Be Pro-Life? | Prof. Angela Knobel
Prof. Angela Knobel discusses the debate on being pro-life and feminist, analyzing the feminist motive argument on abortion regulations and exploring the intersection of feminism and abortion. The podcast touches on the burden argument in the abortion debate from a pro-life feminist perspective and explores the intersection of pro-life feminism with feminist principles.
Feb 22, 2020 • 22min
Thomas Aquinas on Christ's Judgment of a Theologian's Work | Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP
Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP discusses St. Thomas Aquinas's view on Christ's judgment of theologians' work, emphasizing the moral aspects of theology and the importance of authentic teaching and preaching in serving God's intentions.
Feb 20, 2020 • 1h 6min
True Friendship: Insights from the Classical and Christian Traditions | Prof. Joshua Hochschild
Delve into philosophical teachings on friendship with insights from Plato, Aristotle, and Christian perspectives. Explore the essence of true friendship, ethical principles, and the challenges of forming relationships in the digital age. Reflect on the impact of friends on character development and navigating friendships during religious conversion.
Feb 15, 2020 • 1h 1min
What Is Medicine For? Conscience and Clinical Practice | Dr. Farr Curlin, MD
Dr. Farr Curlin, clinical practice and conscience expert, discusses ethical dilemmas in conscientious medical practice, focusing on conflicts between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities. The debate explores whether doctors should prioritize patient autonomy over their own values, raising questions about the goals of medicine and the importance of upholding a commitment to patient health amidst ethical challenges.
