

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

Jun 27, 2019 • 1h 4min
St. Augustine on Friendship with God | Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.
Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., discusses St. Augustine's views on friendship with God, emphasizing the importance of love and friendship in interpreting scripture. The podcast explores Augustine's journey of knowing and loving God, his beliefs on enjoying God's friendship for its own sake, and the necessity of spiritual progression through prayer and reliance on God's grace. It also touches on Augustine's perspectives on God's plan, divine love, and the ultimate goal of enjoying God's presence forever.

Jun 26, 2019 • 59min
Passions and the Life of Virtue | Sr. Catherine Joseph Droste, O.P.
Sr. Catherine Joseph Droste, O.P., a Dominican nun, discusses the interconnection of virtues and passions, exploring the impact on human behavior. She emphasizes the importance of training willpower and achieving self-mastery, highlighting the alignment of sense appetite with reason for virtue. The podcast also delves into the role of the chest in embodying magnanimity and virtuous passions, emphasizing the significance of rational judgment in moral choices.

Jun 25, 2019 • 1h 21min
The Vocation of a Lawyer and the Virtues | Prof.Ryan Meade
Prof. Ryan Meade delves into the significance of virtues and vocation in the legal profession, emphasizing the importance of good habits, clear purpose, and ethical decision-making. The discussion explores the impact of virtues on client relationships, societal well-being, and personal fulfillment within the legal field.

Jun 22, 2019 • 60min
Does Science Discredit Faith? | Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., discusses the compatibility between science and faith, emphasizing their unique contributions. The podcast explores classical and modern conceptions of science and faith, highlighting the shift towards materialistic approaches and goal-oriented practices. It also delves into philosophical implications of scientific theories, evolution, and Christian faith, while emphasizing the complementary views of reality provided by both faith and science.

Jun 19, 2019 • 1h 3min
Hope on Earth: The Sacraments of Jesus Christ | Fr. Dominic Langevin, OP
Fr. Dominic Langevin, OP, a Dominican priest, discusses how Catholic sacraments like penance, anointing of the sick, the Eucharist, and marriage nurture hope on earth. Topics include the theological concept of hope, seeking help from saints and angels, and the significance of sacraments symbolizing grace and virtue, with a focus on marriage and the anointing of the sick.

Jun 18, 2019 • 1h 3min
Is Belief in God Rational? | Prof. Mark Barker
Prof. Mark Barker discusses the rationality of belief in God, contrasting faith and reason. They explore perspectives from ancient Greek philosophers, Luther, Kierkegaard, and Aquinas. The podcast delves into biblical ethics, Greek philosophers' views on the divine mind, and theological notions of divine immutability and simplicity.

Jun 18, 2019 • 1h 13min
What Can Film Teach Us About Religion? C.S. Lewis Goes to the Movies | Prof. Thomas Hibbs
Prof. Thomas Hibbs discusses C.S. Lewis's philosophy on art in film, emphasizing subtle communication of ideas. They delve into themes of mortality in popular culture and moral judgments in films like Star Wars. The impact of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and warnings in science fiction films also discussed.

Jun 15, 2019 • 1h 56min
Is Today's University Hollow? | Fr. Stephen Fields, S.J.
Fr. Stephen Fields, S.J., a Jesuit priest, discusses Cardinal Newman's influence on today's universities, the transformative power of education, cultivating virtues, exploring truth in a post-Cartesian world, the role of the principle of non-contradiction in Thomistic philosophy, re-evaluating liberal arts education, inclusiveness and diversity in universities, the role of God in knowledge acquisition, and the relationship between the natural order and the order of grace.

Jun 13, 2019 • 1h 12min
The Virtue of Justice and Why It Matters | Prof. Jonathan Sanford
Join Prof. Jonathan Sanford as he discusses the evolving views on justice in society, the relationship between advocating for rights and human dependency, the importance of virtues like courage and justice, the connection between beauty and justice, the interplay of justice, mercy, and charity, the impact of Rawls' ideas on policy development, and the application of principles of justice in universities.

Jun 12, 2019 • 1h 1min
Who are the Church Fathers and Why Do They Matter Now? | Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP
Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP, an expert in Church history and theology, discusses the significance of Church Fathers in shaping beliefs and practices. Topics include their impact on Christianity and Western civilization, controversies among them, and their influence on ecclesiastical structure and decisions. The conversation explores the importance of historical context in studying figures like Augustine and Pelagius, and the relationship between the fathers of the church and scholastic theology.


