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 29, 2019 • 52min
The Political Boundaries Of The Church | Prof. Gladden Pappin
Prof. Gladden Pappin discusses the evolving role of the Catholic Church in politics, exploring its transition from a political institution to a moral voice. The podcast delves into jurisdictional boundaries, challenges like the sexual abuse crisis, and the church's legal authority. It also examines coercion within the church and conflicts between ecclesiastical power and state influence, focusing on modern disputes like the China Accord.
Oct 28, 2019 • 48min
Thomas Aquinas on Religious Vocations | Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP
Fr. Andrew Hofer, OP, a Dominican priest specializing in the theology of Thomas Aquinas, discusses how Aquinas' religious vocation influenced his writings. Topics include Aquinas' concerns on religious vocations, virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience, guidance for discernment, and the beauty of the desire for a religious vocation.
Oct 25, 2019 • 1h 2min
The Vocation Of The Student | Fr. Gregory Pine, OP
Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, discusses the vocation of students, emphasizing discernment, virtue, and God's creation out of love. Topics include exploring virtues for a good life, the purpose of education for human formation, the virtue of studiousness, and embracing solitude for intellectual growth.
Oct 24, 2019 • 1h 8min
St. Thomas And The Intellectual Life | Fr. Gregory Pine, OP
Fr. Gregory Pine, an intellectual Dominican friar, discusses the virtues and effort required for the intellectual life in a Gospel passage analysis. He explores American biases against intellectualism and the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. The podcast delves into human curiosity, the three senses of wisdom, faith, understanding God's providence, and the law of contradiction in metaphysical claims.
Oct 23, 2019 • 1h
How To Avoid Being Unhappy: Vices That Undermine Friendship & Flourishing | Prof. W. Scott Cleveland
Prof. W. Scott Cleveland discusses avoiding unhappiness by exploring Aristotle and Aquinas' views on vices. They delve into capital vices like vainglory, spiritual apathy, and envy, and their impact on well-being. Practical ways to combat vices and cultivate virtues are explored, focusing on magnanimity and humility in pursuit of a happier life.
Oct 22, 2019 • 1h 4min
Fiction and Moral Reflection | Thomas Pavel
Guest Thomas Pavel discusses the value of fiction in understanding human motivations and moral reflections through examples from ancient literature and works like the Iliad. The podcast explores themes of transgression, Christian resonance, individualism, and societal norms in fictional narratives. It also delves into characters' choices, pursuit of happiness, and moral reflections in 19th-century novels, emphasizing the role of fiction in understanding moral principles and human experiences.
Oct 21, 2019 • 59min
Morality and Mortality in Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop | Sr. Ann Astell
Sr. Ann Astell discusses Willa Cather's 'Death Comes for the Archbishop', exploring themes of death, faith, and morality in the novel. She delves into character analysis, vices, brotherhood, social formation, hagiographic themes, and the influence of visual art in literature.
Oct 19, 2019 • 44min
Does Science Discredit Faith? | Fr. Gregory Pine, OP
Fr. Gregory Pine, OP discusses the nuanced relationship between science and faith, arguing for their harmonious coexistence. The podcast explores topics such as material vs. abstract in philosophy and science, obediential potency, and the rationality of faith. It also delves into the compatibility of faith and science, methodological accuracy, and the interplay between faith, reason, and happiness studies.
Oct 18, 2019 • 1h 7min
Imagination And Discernment In Jane Austen's Persuasion | Lauren Kopajitic
Expert on Jane Austen's 'Persuasion', Lauren Kopajitic, discusses moral imagination and discernment in the novel. Topics include character analysis, narrative techniques, themes of faithfulness and tragedy, highlighting Anne Elliot's and Captain Wentworth's moral growth and understanding of human nature.
Oct 17, 2019 • 42min
The Anti-Moral Imagination Of Michel Houellebecq | Dhananjay Jagannathan
Dhananjay Jagannathan discusses the ethical perspectives in novels, the significance of character interpretation in literary works, and the balance between truth-seeking and moral imagination. The podcast explores the value of narrative literature, focusing on 'Submission' by Michel Houellebecq and themes of politics, religion, and societal transformation. It also analyzes themes of pessimism and human nature in relation to the protagonist's reactions in critical scenes.
