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
Nov 28, 2018 • 1h 8min
The Wisdom of St. Catherine in Times of Crisis | Sr. Mary Madeline Todd OP
Sr. Mary Madeline Todd OP discusses St. Catherine's wisdom for modern crises. Topics include prayerful discernment, humility, courage in leadership, faith, hope, perseverance, virtues, spiritual effort, and the unconventional role of St. Catherine as a laywoman.
Nov 27, 2018 • 53min
True for Me But Not For You? Moral Relativism and Social Tolerance | Michael Gorman
Michael Gorman, an expert in moral relativism and social tolerance, explores the concept of moral relativism and its implications on social life and politics. The podcast delves into distinguishing between partial and super strong relativism and the relationship between relative morality and social tolerance. It concludes with a call for a positive view of ethics and knowing when to intervene in others' decisions to overcome moral relativism.
Nov 24, 2018 • 60min
The Rationality of Desire: A Defense of Platonism | Dhananjay Jagannathan
Dhananjay Jagannathan defends Platonism by exploring reason, desire, and ethical inquiry in Aristotelian philosophy. The episode highlights the importance of ethical understanding in transforming desires and relationships, delves into Aristotelian and Platonic viewpoints on love, desire, and ethical inquiry, and discusses the influence of societal values and the value of active reasoning in navigating life's disruptions.
5 snips
Nov 22, 2018 • 57min
To be Good is to Do the Truth | Jennifer Frey
Philosopher Jennifer Frey discusses practical truth, desire, and virtue in aligning knowledge and action for virtuous living. Topics include the interplay between cognition and desire, different kinds of judgments, intentional action descriptions, and Aquinas's teachings on virtues and practical truth.
Nov 21, 2018 • 1h 4min
Local Goods, Global Good, and Desire | Candace Vogler
Philosophy professor Candace Vogler discusses desire for higher goods, exploring its mysterious and transformative nature. Topics include the evolution of desire and self-consciousness, fundamental restlessness, desires in practical reasoning, Aquinas' framework on desire and habit, and the pursuit of divinity in seeking higher goods.
Nov 20, 2018 • 40min
The Dark Night of St. Teresa of Calcutta & St. Therese of Lisieux | Carol Zaleski
Expert in Christian mysticism, Carol Zaleski, discusses the dark night encounters of St. Teresa of Calcutta and St. Therese of Lisieux. They explore the spiritual struggles, unwavering faith, and enduring legacies of these revered figures, reflecting on the hidden presence of God in moments of darkness.
Nov 17, 2018 • 39min
Understanding Divine Providence | Fr. James Brent, OP
Fr. James Brent, OP, discusses divine providence, comparing God to a foreman overseeing a construction site. He also highlights the role of insects in ecosystem harmony and how divine providence directs the world towards glorifying God.
Nov 16, 2018 • 41min
The Names of God | Fr. James Brent, OP
Fr. James Brent, OP, discusses divine names and the use of analogical language to describe God. Topics include understanding univocal, equivocal, and analogous terms, exploring the concept of healthy through analogies, and delving into the nuances of predicating attributes of God. The chapter also explores the analogy between God and creation, challenging listeners to rethink their language when discussing divine attributes.
Nov 15, 2018 • 40min
The Existence Of God | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Fr. James Brent, O.P., a Dominican priest, discusses Aquinas' Argument from Contingent Beings to prove the existence of God, exploring biblical scriptures such as Romans, Exodus, and Revelation.
Nov 14, 2018 • 42min
Metaphysics & Goodness | Michael Gorman
Michael Gorman discusses metaphysical aspects of goodness and badness, exploring objectivity, normativity, and natural law ties to a higher power. He highlights subjective views of good and bad, contrasting Descartes and David Hume's perspectives. Gorman also delves into varying perspectives on goodness and evil, emphasizing evil as a lack against goodness as fulfillment. Additionally, he explores telos, natural law, and morality, emphasizing actions aligning with inherent goodness and flourishing.
