

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

May 15, 2024 • 59min
Keys to the Kingdom: Foundations of the Sacrament of Penance | Fr. Dominic Langevin OP
Fr. Dominic Langevin OP, an expert in the sacrament of penance, explores the practice through biblical stories and examples, emphasizing contrition, confession, and making amends. The discussion also highlights forgiveness in the Old and New Testaments, the history and evolution of the sacrament, and the concept of full knowledge in Catholic moral theology.

May 15, 2024 • 59min
Aquinas on the Natural Complexity of Human Emotions - Fr. Richard Conrad OP
Fr. Richard Conrad OP explores the complexities of human and animal emotions through a Thomistic lens, discussing the interconnectedness of all living beings, the role of virtue in managing emotions, and the comparisons between machines, organisms, and intelligent beings.

May 15, 2024 • 57min
The Task of Life: "Feelings Management" or Human Flourishing? | Dr. Michael Gorman
Dr. Michael Gorman, an expert in human flourishing, and feelings management, discusses the interplay between feelings management and moral relativism, the importance of virtues, reason, and moral goodness in human flourishing, re-educating feelings to align with divine principles in Christianity, exploring dryness in spirituality, and comparisons between Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and Stoicism.

May 15, 2024 • 1h 27min
"Christian Political Principles In The Age Of Trump"- R. R. Reno and Panel
R. R. Reno and panel discuss Catholic social teachings on limited government, solidarity, and the role of the middle class in society. They explore topics like Tocqueville's paradox, cultural revival, and the crisis of the West. The conversation also covers evangelical support for Trump, racial divide in America, and the impact of power on religious communities.

May 15, 2024 • 1h 7min
Aquinas on Sin, Suffering, and Evil | Prof. Jennifer Frey
Prof. Jennifer Frey, an expert in Aquinas philosophy, discusses Aquinas' perspectives on sin, suffering, and evil, highlighting the Thomistic viewpoint on evil as a lack of order in reality. The conversation delves into the causes of sin, virtues, and free will, and explores the complexities of human morality and the importance of contemplation on concepts like evil, sin, and divine mercy.

May 15, 2024 • 1h 2min
Concluding Panel Featuring Fr. Dominic Legge OP, R.R. Reno, and Vincent P Muñoz
Fr. Dominic Legge OP, R.R. Reno, and Vincent P Muñoz discuss challenges in Catholic education, the impact of technocracy and societal codes on modern culture, diversity in democratic cultures, the controversy of eliminating humanities departments, and the historical poverty of intellectuals in academia.

May 15, 2024 • 30min
Can God Save the University? The Religious Roots of an Academic Crisis | Ross Douthat
Ross Douthat discusses the shift of modern universities from Protestant Christianity to post-Christian humanism, challenges in humanities departments, and the influence of political activism. He also reflects on the struggles of Catholic universities in maintaining their values amidst technocracy and market demands.

May 15, 2024 • 42min
The Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the Secular University | Prof. Carlos Eire
Prof. Carlos Eire discusses challenges faced by Catholics in universities, importance of Catholic intellectual tradition in rational thought, embracing paradoxes in belief, integrating faith with reason, ethical dilemmas in the clash between Catholic beliefs and secular values

May 15, 2024 • 38min
The University and Its Counterfeit: Newman's Litmus Test | Prof. Reinhard Huetter
Prof. Reinhard Huetter discusses Newman's 'The Idea of a University' vs. modern research universities, contrasts normative naturalism with determinism in academia, delves into post/transhumanism and Nietzsche's ideas on knowledge/power, compares Newman's educational vision with modern ideologies, examines evolutionary naturalism's impact on disciplines, stresses the need for a wide scope of truth in academic education.

6 snips
May 15, 2024 • 1h 11min
The Dying of the Dark: The Death and Rebirth of the Catholic University | Prof. Patrick Deneen
Prof. Patrick Deneen discusses challenges in maintaining Catholic identity in universities amidst secularization trends. The podcast explores historical shifts in Catholic education, the link between democracy and the Kingdom of God, and the importance of classical Christian schools. It also analyzes secularization as a form of civil religion and the dangers of elevating human institutions to deities.