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 23, 2018 • 1h 11min
The Infinite Creator And Finite Creation | James Madden
Expert in arts and culture, James Madden, explores Aquinas' views on the finite vs infinite nature of the world, discussing Aristotle, St. Bonaventure, and Kant's perspectives. They delve into Aquinas' arguments, challenges in determining world's infinity, differences between Aristotle's and Aquinas' views, objections, potential contradictions, and detailed responses to audience questions.
Aug 22, 2018 • 1h 4min
The Fifth Way | Fr. Stephen Brock
Fr. Stephen Brock discusses purposeful activity in nature and a divine governor, exploring the intelligent behavior of natural entities and the concept of God. The podcast delves into the Fifth Way of understanding God's existence through intelligence, divine justice, creation of natures, teleology, and governance in the world.
Aug 21, 2018 • 1h 3min
A Panel Discussion from the 2018 Newburgh Philosophy Workshop (Pt. 1)
Panel discussion on participation in God and four-term proportionality scheme, theological concepts of divine nature, philosophical debate on geometric figures and ratios, exploration of spatial relations in philosophical discourse, debate on metaphysical principles and evolution, concept of maximal and sub-maximal X, participation in Thomas's philosophy and Christ's incarnation.
Aug 18, 2018 • 1h 13min
The Fourth Way, Participation, and Divine Perfection | Fr. Stephen Brock
Fr. Stephen Brock, a Catholic priest and theologian, explores St. Thomas Aquinas' fourth way of proving God's existence, focusing on divine perfection and uniqueness. The discussion delves into the role of form in understanding divine perfection, emphasizing maximal goodness, truth, and nobility. The concept of participation in divine perfection is also discussed, highlighting the necessity of a first cause embodying its essence.
Aug 17, 2018 • 1h 9min
Divine Unity And Simplicity | Michael Gorman
Michael Gorman, an expert in Divine Unity and Simplicity, discusses God's lack of complexity, the oneness of essence and existence, and how skilled individuals unify reasoning, volition, and execution. The podcast delves into the challenges of describing God with attributes like power and mercy, and explores the relationship between Christ's divine and human nature within the context of divine unity.
Aug 16, 2018 • 1h 11min
Divine Naming And Analogy | Joshua Hochschild
Renowned scholar Joshua Hochschild explores divine naming and analogy in St. Thomas Aquinas' theology, discussing concepts of linguistic and metaphysical analogy, proportional likeness, realism in semantics, evolving meanings, truth-maker theory, negative truths, and SCOTUS concerns about shared meaning in analogy construction.
Aug 15, 2018 • 1h 9min
Knowing God as He Who Is | Brian Carl
Theologian Brian Carl discusses the tension between cataphatic and apophatic aspects of naming God, exploring divine simplicity and the 'He Who Is' name. The importance of God's attributes for unity in knowledge, connecting creatures with wisdom, and the limits of human understanding in defining God's essence are highlighted.
Aug 14, 2018 • 1h 13min
The Preambles Of Faith | Fr. Raymund Snyder, OP
Fr. Raymund Snyder, OP, discusses Aquinas' perspective on preambles of faith, the relationship between reason and faith, and the necessity of grace for true belief. The podcast explores the unity and significance of belief in God, the practical necessity of revelation, and how preambles pave the way for a deeper understanding of faith in Aquinas' theology.
Aug 11, 2018 • 48min
The Dignity of Human Life | Helen Watt
Expert Helen Watt discusses the dignity of human life, emphasizing its inherent value in various contexts such as end-of-life care, pregnancy decisions, and embryo experimentation. She critiques differentiating early human life stages and advocates for upholding dignity once life begins, challenging traditional ethical debates.
Aug 9, 2018 • 1h 6min
Suffering and Flourishing | Eleonore Stump
Philosopher Eleonore Stump discusses the gift of suffering in Christianity and the concept of human flourishing. She explores the role of care, love, and relationships in moral judgment and personal thriving. The podcast also highlights inspiring stories of survivors who transcended abuse and slavery through love and advocacy, as well as delves into the themes of sacrifice for love and surrendering to God's grace in times of suffering.
