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
Aug 8, 2019 • 55min
The Goodness of the Common Good | Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau O.P.
Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau O.P., a Dominican friar, delves into the concept of the common good by exploring Aquinas's perspective on justice, defending Sir Walter Eddington's philosophy, and analyzing the intersection between the common good and personalism. The discussion highlights the objective nature of the common good and the balance between individualism and community well-being.
Aug 6, 2019 • 1h 13min
The Suffering of Republics, Self-Sacrifice, and the Virtues of Two Cities | Dr. Chad Pecknold
Dr. Chad Pecknold, an expert on political philosophy and theology, discusses Augustine's views on humility, the suffering of Roman people, the story of Lucretia's self-sacrifice, and the contrasting behaviors of Christian and pagan women in times of turmoil. The podcast delves into virtues, true religion, and the concept of the Two Cities in Augustine's City of God, emphasizing the importance of self-sacrifice and attachment to the supreme good.
Aug 3, 2019 • 48min
Principles of Nature | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Fr. James Brent, O.P., a philosopher and theologian, discusses the fundamental principles of nature according to Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. He explores concepts like potentiality, matter, form, substance, accident, change, and the four causes, contrasting traditional philosophical views with modern scientific perspectives. The focus is on hylomorphism and the application of principles in understanding nature.
Aug 1, 2019 • 56min
A Very Brief History of the Universe, or How the Universe Got Its Planets | Marisa March
Join astrophysics and planetary science expert, Marisa March, as she takes us on a journey through the history of the universe, discussing topics such as the Big Bang, formation of stars and planets, dark matter, quantum field theory, expansion of the universe, time, Genesis narratives, dark energy, and a multi-dimensional universe.
Jul 30, 2019 • 1h 12min
On the Evolution of Novelty in Biological History| Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P.
Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P., an expert in biology, discusses the evolution of novelty in biological history, including snake evolution, Hox genes, genetic alterations, and philosophical questions. Topics also cover experiments in evolution, convergent evolution, causality, interdisciplinary discourse, role of form and adaptation, relationship between evolution, theology, and human nature.
Jul 27, 2019 • 1h 6min
Thomistic Natural Philosophy in a Natural Order with a History | Prof. Brian Carl
Philosophy professor Prof. Brian Carl discusses Thomistic Natural Philosophy, challenges to peripatetic cosmology, hypothetical necessity in Aristotelian science, tension between developmental cosmos and Aristotle's thought, agent causality in Thomistic Natural Philosophy, Aristotle's views on reproduction, and the contrast of Aristotle's elemental theory with Thomas's Christian perspective.
Jul 25, 2019 • 1h 8min
Inorganic Substances: Chemical Form and Physical Matter| Prof. Robert Koons
Prof. Robert Koons discusses the alignment of quantum revolution with Aristotle's theories. They delve into forms in Plato and Aristotle, distinguishing token and type substances, and exploring the transition in quantum theory from finite to infinite systems. They also touch on the nature of integral parts and the connection between quantum particles and substances.
Jul 23, 2019 • 1h 1min
The Origins of Water | Dr. Karin Oberg
Dr. Karin Oberg discusses the critical role of water in connecting chemistry and biology, exploring its significance in planet formation and life emergence. The podcast delves into water's unique properties, bonding capabilities, and origins in the solar system, including the possibility of water seeping into grains during formation.
Jul 20, 2019 • 57min
Aristotle against Epicurus: Atoms, Particles & Elements in Thomism | Prof. Matthew Gaetano
Prof. Matthew Gaetano discusses Thomists' defense against Descartes and Gessendi, rejecting atomism in the 17th century. The debate on prime matter and divine power, the importance of structure in Thomism, and the clash between classicism and modern science in the 17th and 18th centuries are explored.
Jul 18, 2019 • 1h 5min
Understanding the Chemical Aspects of the Aristotelian-Thomistic View | Prof. Thomas McLaughlin
Chemistry professor Prof. Thomas McLaughlin discusses the Aristotelian-Thomistic view, focusing on elements, material cause, indivisibility, qualities, transformations, and virtual presence. The podcast delves into the unique decompositions in mixtures, comparison with modern chemistry, and Aristotle's emphasis on observable phenomena and quantifiability.
