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
Jul 3, 2020 • 1h 24min
Does God Exist? Defending the Divine Based on Reason | Prof. Alexander Pruss
In this insightful discussion, Alexander Pruss, a Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University with expertise in metaphysics and philosophy of religion, explores the intersection of reason and faith in understanding God's existence. He articulates compelling arguments for the necessity of a first cause to avoid infinite regress. Engaging thought experiments challenge listeners to rethink infinity's implications on causation and existence. The conversation also addresses the principle of sufficient reason and how it informs our understanding of randomness and morality.
Jul 1, 2020 • 57min
Angels and Demons | Fr. Basil Cole, O.P.
Fr. Basil Cole, O.P., a Dominican priest, discusses angels and demons, exploring their spiritual nature, roles, and interactions. He highlights the influence of angels in protecting, guiding, and mediating towards God, contrasting them with demons who rebel against Him. The episode also touches on practical ways to guard against demonic influence and delves into the irrationality of demons, drawing parallels to C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters.
Jun 29, 2020 • 1h 17min
Moral Enhancement: Exemplars and Epistemic Trust | Prof. Stephen Napier
Prof. Stephen Napier discusses moral enhancement and epistemic trust, emphasizing reliance on authentic means and authority testimony. Topics include neurological processing of moral stimuli, narratives shaping moral faculties, cognitive cul-de-sacs, bioenhancement, epistemic trust in the Church, and the interplay of faith, tradition, and moral judgments.
Jun 26, 2020 • 1h 8min
Neuroscience and the Human Soul | Prof. Marie George
Prof. Marie George discusses the intersection of Thomistic philosophy and neuroscience, exploring intellect, free will, abstract thinking, and the immaterial nature of thoughts. The conversation challenges materialist assumptions and delves into the role of the soul in explaining awareness, emotions, and cognitive abilities in humans and animals.
Jun 24, 2020 • 53min
Is Belief In The Trinity Irrational? | Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P.
Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P., a Dominican priest, explores the rationality of belief in the Trinity according to Aquinas, delving into the relationship between faith and reason. The podcast discusses the intricate layers of the Trinity in Christian theology through various biblical texts and historical contexts, emphasizing the importance of spiritual contemplation. The boundaries and parameters of theological discussions on the Trinity are also examined, along with the analogy of the human mind to comprehend this complex concept.
Jun 22, 2020 • 1h 6min
The Rise of Modern Atheism: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction | Prof. Anna Moreland
Prof. Anna Moreland discusses the impact of religious ideas on society, the evolution of political theology in the West, the rise of modern atheism, the resurgence of Christianity in the global south, the intersection of religion and modernity, and the influence of Pontifical documents on interfaith encounters.
Jun 19, 2020 • 59min
Who Am I to Judge? Politics and the Problem of Moral Relativism | Prof. Francis Beckwith
Prof. Francis Beckwith discusses moral relativism and political disagreements, contrasting it with moral objectivism. They explore moral disagreement using examples like interpretations of legal clauses and differing views on abortion. The podcast delves into the concepts of moral objectivism and relativism, justifications for moral standards, and the influence of natural law on moral decision-making.
Jun 17, 2020 • 1h 3min
Friendship and the Common Good | Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P.
Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P. discusses the importance of the common good in fostering friendship and human flourishing. Topics include the role of communication, personalism in social communities, the relationship between individual and collective well-being, and the challenges posed by totalitarian threats and liberal structures of government.
Jun 15, 2020 • 1h 10min
Aquinas as a Mystical Theologian | Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, O.P.
Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, O.P., discusses mystical theology, Aquinas's view on divine action and analogy, mystical union in Aquinas and Dionysus, theological significance of John the Baptist, and theological differences on being and unity.
Jun 10, 2020 • 1h
Did Jesus Christ See the Father? | Fr. Simon Gaine, O.P.
Fr. Simon Gaine, O.P., a Dominican friar, discusses the theological question of whether Jesus Christ saw the Father, exploring Christ's knowledge as a balance of human and divine, his faith, and knowledge in the Garden of Gethsemane. The podcast also delves into Jesus' learning abilities, the unity of the Trinity's divine mind, continuity of his humanity post-resurrection, and the beatific vision and knowledge of angels.
