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To Live is to Change: Newman on Cognitive, Moral, and Spiritual Development – Prof. Thomas Hibbs

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May 4, 2026

Guest

Thomas Hibbs

Thomas Hibbs, Baylor philosopher and dean emeritus who writes on theology, art, and education, discusses John Henry Newman and human development. He explores how stories and formative teachers shape moral and intellectual growth. He contrasts fragmented specialization with integrated learning and reflects on faith, science, and the slow work of personal formation.

40:29

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ANECDOTE

High School Coach Who Taught Newman

Thomas Hibbs read John Henry Newman in high school with an agnostic line coach who became a demanding intellectual teacher.
That teacher's blend of athletic authority and serious literary instruction (including Newman and Joyce) changed Hibbs's formation and gratitude for education.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Joyce's Evelyn Shows Development Foreclosed

Hibbs uses James Joyce's short story Evelyn as an example of a young person trapped by habit and impossible to change at nineteen.
Joyce's dust imagery and Evelyn's frozen moment at the railing illustrate stultifying repetition that forecloses development.

insights

INSIGHT

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Hibbs argues that articulating the formative stories that shaped us is prerequisite to self-knowledge and moral action.
He contrasts university recruitment's

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Newman, University, and Faithful Intellect

00:25 • 1min

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Personal Formation and Early Influences

01:46 • 44sec

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High School Teacher Who Opened Newman

02:30 • 2min

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Joyce's 'Eveline' and Stunted Development

04:04 • 3min

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Stories Shape Self-Knowledge

06:41 • 2min

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Quest Narratives and Personal Calling

08:33 • 3min

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Erikson, Identity, and Timely Conflicts

11:16 • 3min

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Integration vs. Disintegration in Education

14:10 • 5min

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Bridging Science and Faith in Curricula

18:45 • 2min

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Philosophical Habit and Asking Questions

20:51 • 2min

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Piecemeal Knowledge and Organic Growth

22:47 • 4min

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Monica, Augustine, and the Catholic University

26:18 • 3min

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Personal Influence and Christian Example

29:44 • 4min

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Embodied Teachers Humble Skeptics

33:30 • 2min

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Truth, Patience, and Resolving Tensions

35:04 • 2min

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Seasons of Integration and Loneliness

37:10 • 2min

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Lead Kindly Light: Newman's Prayer

De Genesi ad litteram

Augustine

De Genesi ad Litteram (On the Literal Meaning of Genesis) is Augustine's extensive commentary on the book of Genesis in which he explores proper methods of biblical interpretation. Although the title suggests a literal approach, Augustine often advocates reading certain passages allegorically and cautions against overly literal readings that conflict with reason. His work addresses creation, time, and the relationship between Scripture and philosophy, influencing later theological and exegetical traditions. Augustine's nuanced approach provided historical resources for readers seeking to reconcile Scripture with scientific and philosophical insights. The treatise remains a significant source for understanding patristic biblical hermeneutics.

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Thomas G. Sutherland (or other interpreter)

Thomas Aquinas

The 'Summa of the Summa' is a summary of Thomas Aquinas's 'Summa Theologiae', which is a comprehensive treatise on theology and philosophy. It covers a wide range of topics including the nature of God, the creation of the world, the nature of man, and the path to salvation. The summary aims to make Aquinas's complex and detailed work more accessible to readers.

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The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R. Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth. The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo. The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return. Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth. The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.

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The idea of a university

St. John Henry Newman

John Henry Newman's "The Idea of a University" is a seminal work on higher education, exploring the nature of knowledge, the role of universities in society, and the importance of a liberal education. Newman emphasizes the pursuit of truth for its own sake, arguing that universities should foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. He highlights the unity of knowledge, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various disciplines. The book remains highly influential in shaping discussions about the purpose and function of universities. It's a classic text for anyone interested in the philosophy of education.

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Dubliners

James Joyce

Dubliners is a collection of short stories by James Joyce, first published in 1914. The stories are arranged to track the lives of Dubliners from childhood to old age, exploring themes such as the 'paralysis' of Irish society, the desire for escape, and the intersection of life and death. Each story features a different plot and characters but is connected by the theme of epiphany, where characters experience life-changing moments of revelation. The collection is known for its realistic portrayal of Dublin life, highlighting issues such as alcoholism, religious tension, and political concerns of the time.

Prof. Thomas Hibbs argues that John Henry Newman sees human development as a lifelong process of integrating the cognitive, moral, and spiritual dimensions of the person, so that faith and intellect, growth and identity, and knowledge and character are not split apart but brought into a unified life under grace.

This lecture was given on January 17th, 2026, at Dominican House of Studies.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events.

About the Speakers:

Thomas Hibbs is currently J. Newton Rayzor Sr. Professor of Philosophy at Baylor where he is also Dean Emeritus, having served for 16 years as the inaugural Dean of the Honors College. At Baylor he was also the inaugural director of Baylor in Washington, D.C. where he currently runs a summer program on Religion and Social Life. He has served as department chair at Boston College and as president of the University of Dallas.

Hibbs has published more than thirty scholarly articles, the most recent of which is “Aquinas and Black Natural Law.” He has published eight books, the most recent of which is Theology of Creation: Ecology, Art, and Laudato Si’ (University of Notre Dame Press, 2023). He has also published two books on film and philosophy and one book on art. He has published more than 100 reviews and discussion articles on film, theater, art, and higher education in a variety of venues including First Things, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Wall Street Journal, and National Review. He writes regularly for The Dallas Morning News.

Hibbs’ lectures have been protested by nihilists at Boston University and by communists in Palermo, Sicily.

Keywords: Cognitive Development, Faith And Reason, Human Development, Integration, John Henry Newman, Moral Formation, Spiritual Development, University Education, Wisdom, Youth

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