This lecture was given on November 23rd, 2023, at Dominican House of Studies. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Timothy Bellamah, O.P. was born and raised in Washington, D.C. He entered the Order of Preachers in 1991 and was ordained a priest in 1998. He studied at Wake Forest University (B.S., 1982), the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (M.Div. and S.T.B., 1997; S.T.L, 1999) and the Ecole Pratique ...
May 26, 2025•32 min
Prof. Joshua Hochschild analyzes how smartphones and digital technologies reshape our brains, habits, and sense of self by leveraging neuroscience and AI-driven behavioral design, warning that these tools commodify our attention, erode agency, and pose deep spiritual and ethical challenges that demand more than technocratic solutions. This lecture was given on September 19th, 2024, at East Carolina University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-e...
May 23, 2025•40 min
Prof. Steven Jensen critically examines transhumanism as a new form of eugenics, arguing that the pursuit of human enhancement through technologies like genetic engineering and brain-computer interfaces repeats the ethical pitfalls of historical eugenics by neglecting the importance of human nature and the distinction between treatment and enhancement. This lecture was given on February 13th, 2025, at Texas A&M University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitu...
May 22, 2025•46 min
Prof. Gyula Klima uses Aquinas’ philosophy of mind to argue that human intelligence, rooted in immaterial universal concept formation, is metaphysically distinct from artificial general intelligence (AGI), though AGI can still serve as a powerful tool for enhancing human understanding and life. This lecture was given on February 19th, 2025, at Dominican House of Studies. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Gyula Klima i...
May 21, 2025•49 min
Fr. Ambrose Little examines the philosophical and ethical implications of AI-assisted writing by drawing on Plato’s myth of Thoth, Aristotle, and Aquinas, arguing that while new technologies like AI can threaten essential intellectual virtues, they can also be used wisely if we seek a balanced, virtue-oriented approach to knowledge and memory. This lecture was given on February 11th, 2025, at North Carolina State University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute...
May 20, 2025•34 min
This lecture was given on February 20th, 2025, at University of Pittsburgh. The speaker requests that anyone interested in a summary of this talk listen to the whole thing. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Sister Anna Wray is a native of Connecticut and a member of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia of Nashville, TN. Sister received her PhD in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, having written her...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Prof. Adam Eitel explores the nature of friendship and the common good through the lens of Aquinas and Aristotle, emphasizing that true friendship is a mutual, habitual disposition to will and pursue the good of another through concrete sharing and fellowship. This lecture was given on December 4th, 2024, at Saint Louis University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Professor Eitel is an Associate Professor of Theology...
May 16, 2025•45 min
Fr. Cassian Derbes explores why friendship is a difficult but essential good, drawing on Aquinas, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, and Dante to show how hope, fortitude, and magnanimity help us overcome sloth and despair in pursuit of true friendship as a common good. This lecture was given on January 18th, 2025, at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Cassian Derbes, O.P. is a priest...
May 15, 2025•32 min
Prof. Thomas Hibbs analyzes Aquinas’ account of friendship and human excellence, drawing on Aristotle and Tocqueville to show how friendship is a necessary, intrinsically valuable common good that addresses contemporary crises of loneliness, civic animosity, and the loss of meaningful community. This lecture was given on January 17th, 2025, at Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Thoma...
May 14, 2025•40 min
Prof. W. Scott Cleveland explores how to be a good friend by applying Aristotle’s philosophy of human flourishing, highlighting the importance of combating envy and apathy while cultivating the virtues of love and wisdom for lasting, meaningful friendships. This lecture was given on February 21st, 2025, at University of Michigan. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Professor Scott Cleveland received his PhD in philosoph...
May 13, 2025•48 min
Prof. Joshua Hochschild compares Plato’s philosophical exploration of love in the Symposium with John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, analyzing how both traditions address the unity of eros and agape, the meaning of embodied love, and the enduring questions of sexual ethics in light of Humanae Vitae. This lecture was given on February 18th, 2025, at The Basilica of Saint Mary’s Lyceum. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker...
May 12, 2025•52 min
Fr. Stephen Brock examines the metaphysics of petitionary prayer through the perspectives of C.S. Lewis, Peter Geach, and especially Thomas Aquinas, highlighting how Aquinas’ account uniquely reconciles divine immutability, providence, and the real efficacy of prayer. This lecture was given on February 7th, 2025, at Duke University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Stephen L. Brock is a priest of the Prelature of Opu...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Fr. Thomas Joseph White explores whether philosophical skepticism can be overcome by examining Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, and Nietzsche on metaphysical knowledge, emphasizing foundational principles like non-contradiction and identity. This lecture was given on February 5th, 2024, at Yale University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Thomas Joseph White is the Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical University of St. T...
May 08, 2025•56 min
Prof. Michael Gorman explains Aquinas’ doctrine that in God, essence and existence are identical, highlighting how this principle underpins divine simplicity and distinguishes God from all created beings. This lecture was given on June 1st, 2024, at Mount Saint Mary College. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Michael Gorman is Professor of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He has doct...
May 07, 2025•48 min
Dr. Edmund Lazzari defends the coherence and relevance of the Trinity by addressing Thomas Jefferson’s objections through Thomistic philosophy, emphasizing divine revelation’s role in understanding God’s triune nature. This lecture was given on March 3rd, 2025, at College of William and Mary. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Edmund Lazzari is Teaching Fellow in the Department of Catholic Studies at Duquesne Universit...
May 06, 2025•50 min
Professor Michael Gorman explores philosophical arguments for God's existence through Aquinas' approach of reasoning from effect to ultimate uncaused cause rather than from definition to existence. This lecture was given on February 22nd, 2025, at University of Rochester. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Michael Gorman is Professor of Philosophy at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He has doctora...
May 05, 2025•41 min
Prof. Patrick Callahan analyzes the poetic genius of Saint Thomas Aquinas in the hymns and sequence of Corpus Christi, highlighting Aquinas’ understanding of beauty, proportion, clarity, and sublimity as essential to both art and spiritual contemplation. This lecture was given on October 26th, 2024, at Dominican House of Studies. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Prof. Patrick Callahan is director of the Newman Instit...
May 02, 2025•43 min
Prof. Patrick Callahan reveals how poetry, as the most Christ-like form of speech and a reflection of human mimesis, plays a vital role in the Christian life by fostering conformity to Christ and deepening the contemplative experience. This lecture was given on October 26th, 2024, at Dominican House of Studies. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Prof. Patrick Callahan is director of the Newman Institute for Catholic Th...
May 01, 2025•45 min
Prof. Alexander Pruss explores the unique certainty, mystery, and beauty of mathematics, examining philosophical perspectives from Plato to modern logicism, and considers how mathematical beauty points toward deeper realities, including the existence of God. This lecture was given on October 1st, 2024, at University of North Texas. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Alexander Pruss is professor of philosophy at Baylor ...
Apr 30, 2025•56 min
Prof. Patrick Callahan explores how art, through beauty and the sublime, can lead the soul toward God, drawing on insights from Joseph Pieper, Aristotle, and Christian philosophy to reveal the contemplative power of poetry, music, and the fine arts. This lecture was given on November 19th, 2024, at East Carolina University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Patrick Callahan is director of the Newman Institute for Cath...
Apr 29, 2025•42 min
Fr. Philip-Neri Reese explores the relationship between logic and truth as they manifest in God, the natural world, and artificial constructs, emphasizing the distinct ways in which logic operates within divine, natural, and human-made realities. This lecture was given on November 6th, 2023, at Oxford University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Philip-Neri Reese is a Dominican friar of the Province of St Joseph ...
Apr 28, 2025•39 min
Prof. Chad Pecknold analyzes John Henry Newman’s theological legacy, focusing on doctrinal development, conscience as a divine imperative, and his impact on the Second Vatican Council and modern Catholic-Protestant dialogue. This lecture was given on April 25th, 2024, at Hillsdale College. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Dr. Chad C. Pecknold earned his PhD in Systematic Theology at the University of Cambridge in Eng...
Apr 25, 2025•46 min
Fr. Gregory Pine explores the theological necessity of Marian apparitions through the lens of Catholic doctrine, explaining how they relate to the central mystery of the Incarnation and the proper hierarchy of truths in Christian faith. This lecture was given on April 25th, 2024, at Trinity College Dublin. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. is an adjunct professor of dogmatic theology at the Domi...
Apr 24, 2025•39 min
Prof. Lewis Ayres examines how the Nicene Creed functions as a generative and interpretive “cipher” within Christian tradition, tracing its roots to the adaptation of Second Temple Jewish imaginative worlds and the development of early rules of faith to highlight the creed’s ongoing role in shaping theological reflection. This lecture was given on February 7th, 2025, at Dominican House of Studies. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About...
Apr 23, 2025•43 min
Sr. Albert Marie Surmanski, O.P., explores how creation sacramentally reflects God’s glory, particularly investigating how metaphysics, scripture, poetry, and ultimately every aspect of existence—from cosmic order to human relationships—reveals divine truths. This lecture was given on November 18th, 2024, at University of Michigan. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . Donate to Support Our Work About the Speaker: Sr. Albert Marie Surmanski...
Apr 22, 2025•50 min
Prof. Michael Wahl explores the theological virtue of hope as essential for Christian pilgrimage, distinguishing it from mere passion by examining how hope directs us toward God as our ultimate, difficult yet attainable good. This lecture was given on February 29th, 2024, at Cornell University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . Donate to Support Our Work About the Speaker: Dr. Michael Wahl is Assistant Professor of Theology at Providenc...
Apr 21, 2025•43 min
Fr. Isaac Morales explores the relationship between the historical Jesus and Church's knowledge of Jesus, cautioning against relying too heavily on ever-changing historical reconstructions while emphasizing recurrent themes to discover the authentic characteristics of Jesus. This lecture was given on March 5th, 2024, at Brown University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Isaac Morales, O.P. is associate professor ...
Apr 18, 2025•37 min
Fr. Dominic Langevin explores the Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, explaining transubstantiation, its scriptural basis, historical development, and the significance for Christian life. This lecture was given on October 24th, 2024, at Clemson University. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Dominic Langevin, O.P., is dean and assistant professor of dogmatic theology at the Dominican H...
Apr 17, 2025•52 min
Fr. Gregory Pine explores the extent of demonic influence on human life, distinguishing between physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual dimensions to clarify the limits of their power, particularly concerning the direct access to one's spiritual life, which remains exclusive to God. This lecture was given on March 2nd, 2024, at Dominican House of Studies. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Fr. Gregory Pine, O...
Apr 16, 2025•36 min
Prof. Roger Nutt explores the theological significance of the sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick as healing encounters that address both sin and its temporal consequences, emphasizing the Christian's journey toward a good death in light of Christ's redemptive act. This lecture was given on February 9th, 2025, at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events . About the Speaker: Roger W. Nutt is Prov...
Apr 15, 2025•45 min
