The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute
Publishing Details
Contact & Outreach
About This Podcast
Explore Statistics
Recent Episodes
S13 What is Catholic Social Teaching? – Fr. Brad Elliott, O.P.
Fr. Brad Elliott argues that it is really a theological vision of the human person as a social being ordered to God through family, polity, and Church, showing how the common good, friendship, and…
S13 Mercy and Justice in Political Life: Augustine, Seneca, and Nussbaum – Prof. Sarah Byers
This lecture was given on January 23rd, 2026, at University of Toronto.To make a gift this June, visit https://truth.thomisticinstitute.org/pod.About the Speaker:Sarah Byers is Associate Professor of…
S13 The University and the Search for Wisdom in the Middle Ages – Dr. Brian FitzGerald
Dr. Brian FitzGerald explores how the first universities emerged from cathedral schools and monastic learning, and why they were built not just to transmit information, but to cultivate wisdom,…
S13 The Good Citizen: Lessons from Tocqueville on Democratic Citizenship in the 21st Century – Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain argues that Tocqueville’s insights show democratic citizenship depends on stable attachments, shared social life across class lines, and a willingness to let citizens practice…
S13 How John Paul II Used the Saints Against the Communists in Poland – Prof. James Felak
Prof. James Felak shows how John Paul II used the saints in his pilgrimages to communist Poland to challenge atheistic rule, strengthen Catholic identity, and encourage resistance and hope.This…
Musical Dependence: What's Behind It and How We Can Move Beyond It – Sr. Anna Wray, O.P.
Sr. Anna Wray argues that many people are caught in a “musical dependence” that uses music to make ordinary life merely tolerable, a mere toleration which can transformed into true enjoyment by means…
S13 Silence, Contemplation, and Non-Being – Fr. Ephrem Reese O.P.
Fr. Ephrem Reese argues that silence is not mere absence but a fertile, hidden potency through which contemplation, devotion, and the word of God can come to life.This lecture was given on November…
S13 Boredom: The Threshold of Great Deeds – Fr. Ephrem Reese O.P.
Fr. Ephrem Reese argues that boredom can be read both as a modern opening onto time and wonder and, more importantly, as a spiritual problem that must be disciplined by the virtues.This lecture was…
S13 Why We Need or Don't Need Utopias – Dr. Jan Bentz
Dr. Jan Bentz argues that utopias are dangerous because they promise a perfected society by denying human fallenness, replacing Christian hope and grace with man-made salvation, and turning politics…
S13 Catholic Social Teaching – Prof. James Felak
Professor James Felak argues that Catholic social teaching presents a holistic vision of the human person and society, insisting that rights and duties belong together, the market must serve the…
S13 Astonished at the World: G. K. Chesterton's Philosophy of Wonder – Joe Grabowski
Joe Grabowski presents Chesterton’s philosophy as a disciplined recovery of wonder, arguing that reality is not exhausted by habit, utility, or material explanation but should be seen with childlike…
S13 Receiving a Share of God's Kingdom: Vocation and Christian Life according to St. Paul – Fr. Jordan Schmidt, O.P.
Fr. Jordan Schmidt says that vocation is a grace-filled cooperation with God’s kingdom, where renewed discernment helps us choose our way of life and embrace suffering with Christ for the salvation…
S13 Principles of Discernment – Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
Fr. Gregory Pine teaches that discernment is less about forcing certainty and more about entering the way Christ reveals himself: gradually, trustingly, and through prayerful relationship.This…
S13 Attainment of Happiness – Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P.
This lecture was given on March 28th, 2026, at Dominican House of Studies.For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events.About the Speakers:Fr. Gregory…
S13 Life to the Full: Are You Surviving or Thriving? – Sr. Mary Madeline Todd, O.P.
Sr. Mary Madeline Todd argues that Christ calls us not merely to survive but to thrive, and that “life to the full” comes through meaning, suffering united to love, disciplined commitment, wonder,…
S13 Science, Reason... and Beyond – Prof. Alexander Pruss
Prof. Alexander Pruss argues that science is powerful but limited, because it depends on presuppositions about logic, rationality, uniformity of nature, and value judgments that science itself cannot…
S13 Aquinas and Catholic Theology – Prof. Gaven Kerr
Prof. Gaven Kerr argues that Aquinas is central to Catholic theology because Thomas provides the systematic, deductive, and scripturally grounded framework needed to articulate doctrine about God,…
S13 Diagnosing Dignity in the Era of AI – Prof. Paul Scherz
Prof. Paul Scherz argues that AI-driven precision medicine and genetic risk prediction can undermine human dignity by turning health into an endless management of risk, increasing anxiety, weakening…
S13 The Idea of a University – Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain presents John Henry Newman’s Idea of a University as a powerful defense of liberal education, arguing that a university should include theology because all knowledge forms one…
S13 Does Vatican II Permit a Hermeneutic of Rupture? – Prof. Christopher Malloy
Prof. Christopher Malloy argues that Vatican II does not permit a hermeneutic of rupture but demands one of continuity and reform, as Benedict XVI taught, rejecting both progressive…
Frequently Asked Questions
The Thomistic Institute has published 1935 episodes since December 2013, covering topics in Christianity, Philosophy.
The Thomistic Institute is currently highly active with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 53m.
Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Thomistic Institute, including email and social media links.
