Philosophy Episodes

Fr. Stephen Brock explains Aquinas's Fifth Way, focusing on the governance of things and how natural bodies without cognition display goal-oriented activity, ultimately placing the Fifth Way into dialogue with Darwinism.

Professor John O'Callaghan argues that atheism is not inherently irrational, exploring its varied historical meanings and proposing that, while not necessarily true, it can be a rational pursuit driven by a desire for truth.

Professor Joshua Hochschild argues that Aquinas' proofs for God's existence, specifically the first way, are simple, accessible, and not merely spiritual exercises, but rather starting points for a deeper understanding of God and the relationship b...

Professor Grant examines the traditional Christian doctrine of divine universal causality, exploring how God can be the cause of all things, including human free acts, and how this relates to our understanding of freedom and responsibility.

Fr. Gregory Pine discusses the virtue of courage, exploring its complexities, its relationship to the passions, and its importance in living a complete and virtuous life.

Professor Daniel De Haan explores the Thomistic debate surrounding the nature of the separated human soul after death, contrasting survivalism, corruptionism, and incompletionism to understand whether the soul retains personhood after death.

Professor Jeffrey Brower explores Aquinas's view of human nature, contrasting it with materialism and substance dualism, focusing on the relationship between body and soul and what happens at death.

Professor Brad Lewis discusses the concept of the common good in politics, contrasting contemporary Catholic social teaching with Aquinas's view and addressing criticisms of both.

Fr. Stewart Clem examines the concept of boredom ("taedium vitae") through the lens of Thomistic moral theology, defining it, exploring its subjective and objective dimensions, and distinguishing it from related concepts like sloth (acedia).

Prof. Michael Foley explores Saint Augustine's lifelong pursuit of self-knowledge, dividing it into intellectual, moral, and religious dimensions, each achieved through conversion and hindered by specific obstacles.

Professor Michael Krom discusses Aquinas's approach to the moral life, emphasizing the pursuit of the good and the integration of faith, hope, and charity, while also addressing moral relativism and the importance of objective moral principles.

Professor Matthew Thomas examines the theology of St. Justin Martyr, arguing that Justin viewed Christianity as the culmination of both Greek philosophy and Jewish scripture, with Christ as the fulfillment of both.

Professor Joshua Hochschild explores Aquinas's understanding of analogy in relation to divine simplicity, distinguishing between analogy as a likeness between things and analogy as a relation between the significations of terms, and argues that the...

Professor Joseph Trabbic explores the rationality of belief in God by first defining belief, distinguishing it from knowledge, and then examining what makes belief rational both subjectively and objectively, before finally addressing the nature of ...

Professor Thomas Hibbs discusses the importance of beauty in contemporary culture, drawing upon Emily Dickinson, Charles Taylor, Iris Murdoch, and Jacques Maritain to explore how beauty can unself us, enhance our understanding of truth, and connect...

Why do human beings desire knowledge? Why should YOU care about philosophy? Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. for an off-campus conversation with Prof. Therese Cory about the role of wonder in philosophy.

This lecture was given on November 2nd, 2024, at Thomistic Institute in Limerick.

This lecture was given on October 22nd, 2024, at University of North Texas.

This lecture was given on March 14th, 2024, at Fordham University.

This lecture was given on February 24th, 2024, at The Dominican House of Studies as a part of a conference titled: "Majesty and Lowliness: On the Hypostatic Union of Divine & Human Natures in Christ."

This lecture was given on April 20th, 2024, at St. Albert's Priory as a part of an intellectual retreat titled, "Happiness and the Meaning of Life."

This lecture was given on September 23rd, 2024, at University of Edinburgh.

This lecture was given on April 26th, 2024, at University of California, Berkeley.

Professor Candace Vogler examines Thomas Aquinas' approach to virtue by highlighting Thomas' development of the Aristotelian notion of virtue, and explaining the role of the acquired and infused cardinal virtues in correcting human flaws.