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 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.
Nov 13, 2018 • 46min
Causality According to the Aristotelian-Thomistic Perspective | Michael Gorman
Guest Michael Gorman discusses causality from an Aristotelian-Thomistic perspective, exploring event causality, agent causation, the four causes, substantial change, essence of natural entities, harmony of modern science with Aristotelian principles, God as cause of creatures, and the concept of an uncaused cause for real causation.
Nov 10, 2018 • 55min
Substance and Accident, Act and Potency | Michael Gorman
Philosopher and author Michael Gorman delves into Thomistic philosophy, discussing substances, accidents, act, potency, and the essence-existence duality. He explores the interplay between essence and existence, highlighting the importance of actualizing potentialities for true being.
5 snips
Nov 8, 2018 • 51min
Beyond Scientism: Philosophical Knowing | Fr. James Brent, O.P.
Fr. James Brent, O.P., discusses the limitations of scientism and the importance of philosophical wisdom. He explores the implications of reducing knowledge to material units, challenges in justifying moral claims through science, and the search for ultimate truths beyond empirical observation.
Nov 7, 2018 • 1h 30min
Panel Discussion from "Christianity and the Common Good"
Exploring the differentiation between private goods and the common good according to Thomas Aquinas. Christianity's impact on African-American history and its role in promoting justice and freedom. Delving into racial disparities, mass incarceration, and the church's involvement in societal issues. Examining the evolution of doctrine on the death penalty in the Catholic Church and its implications for the common good.
