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
Oct 1, 2025 • 54min
Nature's Cheat Codes? On the Course of Nature and its Laws – Prof. John G. Brungardt
Join John G. Brungardt, an associate professor of philosophy at Newman University and a Dominican tertiary, as he dives into the fascinating relationship between nature's laws and their underlying natures. He discusses the shift from viewing laws as divine orders to modern instrumental 'cheat codes.' Brungardt argues for a return to understanding natures as causally prior to laws. He also explores how scientific laws serve as human conceptual transcriptions of natural relations and ends by emphasizing love as the principle that maintains order in nature.
11 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 51min
Aquinas on Nature and the Natural: Form and the Scale of 'Esse' – Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P.
Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P., a Dominican priest and philosophy expert, dives deep into Aquinas' metaphysical framework. He explores the distinction between essence and esse, highlighting how they shape our understanding of being. Discussing a scalar view of esse, he illustrates how this concept applies to all forms of life—from plants to angels. Raymund also connects Aquinas' ideas to ancient influences, emphasizing the unity of creation and the importance of a single Creator. His insights fuse philosophy with theology in a captivating dialogue.
Sep 29, 2025 • 58min
Aquinas on Nature and the Natural: Endoxa and Principles – Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P.
Fr. Raymund Snyder, O.P., a Dominican priest and philosophy scholar, dives deep into Thomistic natural philosophy, emphasizing Aristotelian principles. He discusses the complexities of defining nature and the significance of endoxa, or received opinions, in philosophical inquiry. Snyder contrasts modern interpretations of nature with Aquinas' views, highlighting act and potency as central concepts. He beautifully ties together the notions of form and substance, illustrating how these ideas shape our understanding of motion and existence.
Sep 26, 2025 • 32min
Usefulness and Elegance in Mathematics – Prof. Meraiah Martinez
Meraiah Martinez, an early-career mathematician with a Ph.D. in mathematics, discusses the harmony of usefulness and elegance in math. She highlights why mathematicians are drawn to problem-solving, exploring the divide between pure and applied mathematics. The conversation covers the beauty of mathematical proofs, like the Pythagorean theorem, and delves into historical concepts such as Euler's equation and the Collatz conjecture. She also connects math to real-world applications, discussing modeling in biology and the significance of sound mathematical foundations.
Sep 25, 2025 • 49min
How Planetary Science Unifies the Search for Life Beyond Earth – Prof. Jonathan I. Lunine
In this discussion, Prof. Jonathan I. Lunine, Chief Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a leading expert in planetary science, explores how various scientific fields converge in the search for extraterrestrial life. He highlights Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and Titan as prime candidates for harboring life, sharing insights from groundbreaking missions like Juno and Europa Clipper. Lunine emphasizes the importance of in-situ exploration and the promise of returning samples to Earth, envisioning a future where we could uncover signs of life within a couple of decades.
Sep 24, 2025 • 32min
Nicolaus Steno and the Intersection of Disciplines in the Scientific Revolution – Prof. Nuno Castel-Branco
Prof. Nuno Castel-Branco, a historian specializing in early modern science and interdisciplinary studies, explores the remarkable contributions of Nicolaus Steno. He highlights Steno's groundbreaking fusion of anatomy with mathematics and theology during the Scientific Revolution. Castel-Branco discusses Steno's travel across Europe, the revolutionary application of geometrical methods to biological studies, and his connections with influential figures. The podcast also delves into Steno's significant shift towards theology, reflecting on the interplay between science and belief.
38 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 51min
Dividing and Relating the Sciences in Aquinas – Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P.
Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P., a Dominican friar and Professor of Philosophy in Rome, delves into Aquinas's approach to categorizing the sciences. He elucidates the difference between speculative and practical sciences, emphasizing the importance of material and formal causes. Reese explores mixed reasoning through subalternated sciences, shedding light on how disciplines like astronomy and music relate to mathematics. His insights highlight Aquinas’s flexible framework for understanding knowledge and its applications, making complex ideas accessible and engaging.
30 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 51min
Aquinas and the Basic Principles of the Material World – Prof. Michael Gorman
Michael Gorman, a Professor of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America, dives into Aquinas’s philosophy of the material world. He unpacks the four causes with intriguing examples, clarifies hylomorphism's role in change, and critiques atomistic persistence. Gorman distinguishes between substantial and accidental changes, introducing Aquinas’s concept of prime matter as pure potentiality. The discussion further explores how material and spiritual realms differ, enriching our understanding of metaphysics and natural philosophy.
7 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 35min
How Many Friends Should I Have? I Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P.
Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., a Dominican priest and moral theology scholar, delves into the multifaceted nature of friendship. He discusses the historical and philosophical significance of friendship, emphasizing its essential role in overcoming modern loneliness. Fr. Guilbeau explores three types of friendship—pleasure, utility, and virtue—and argues that virtuous friendships elevate the others. He highlights how friendships support Christian virtues and communal progress towards salvation, blending insights from saints and philosophers alike.
13 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 48min
Dating Like Mr. Darcy I Dr. John-Paul Heil
Dr. John-Paul Heil, a Core Fellow at Mount St. Mary's University with expertise in history and Catholic anthropology, explores romance through the lens of Jane Austen’s works. He humorously contrasts Mr. Darcy's awkward courtship with Fanny Price’s steadfastness. Heil discusses the essence of virtue in love and the idea of prudent concealment, linking Austen's perspectives on masculinity and femininity to practical dating insights. The episode emphasizes authentic love through self-giving acts, blending literary analysis with thoughtful romantic guidance.
