Intellectual Retreats Episodes

March 4, 2025

Put Away Falsehood | Prof. Adam Eitel

Professor Adam Eitel explores Thomas Aquinas's treatment of truthfulness and falsehood, discussing different types of lies, their motivations, and how they relate to charity and friendship with God, as well as forms of deception beyond speech, like...

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Feb. 27, 2025

The Right Answers of Ethics | Fr. Bonaventure Chapman, O.P.

Fr. Bonaventure Chapman presents a philosophical exploration of ethics, drawing on Anscombe, Aristotle, and Aquinas to argue for moral absolutes grounded in human action itself, rather than solely relying on divine law.

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Feb. 26, 2025

Going for Glory: Seeking Honor Rightly | Fr. Dominic Verner, O.P.

Fr. Dominic Verner explores Aquinas' definition of honor as reverence exhibited in testimony to someone's excellence, explaining its importance for personal virtue, self-knowledge, friendship, and fostering a community that values true goodness.

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Feb. 25, 2025

The Wrong Questions of Modern Action Theory | Fr. Bonaventure Chapman…

Fr. Bonaventure Chapman analyzes the flaws in modern action theory, using Wittgenstein and Anscombe to argue against seeking intention in either physical or psychological states, and advocating instead for examining the description of intentional a...

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Feb. 14, 2025

Lent is for Lovers | Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.

Fr. Andrew Hofer connects the themes of Lent and love, explaining how God's sacrificial love, as revealed in Christ, calls us to a deeper, more authentic love that purifies our affections and strengthens us for sacrifice, particularly within the co...

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Feb. 12, 2025

Marriage as Natural Community | Prof. Joshua Hochschild

Professor Joshua Hochschild connects Theology of the Body with Aristotelian philosophy, arguing that it supports the concept of marriage as a natural community amidst modern challenges from social contract theory and technology.

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Feb. 10, 2025

An Historical Overview: The Growth of Marriage as Avenue of Holiness …

Fr. Thomas Petri provides a historical overview of the evolving understanding of marriage as a path to holiness within the Catholic Church, set against the backdrop of societal changes, medical advancements, and challenges to traditional Christian views...

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Jan. 29, 2025

Creation: Mercy Beyond Justice | Prof. John O'Callaghan

Professor John O'Callaghan delves into St. Thomas Aquinas's understanding of God's mercy in creation, addressing the apparent paradox of extending mercy to non-existent beings by examining the transition from non-being to being.

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Jan. 28, 2025

God's Justice According to St. Thomas' Reading of the Apostle Paul | …

Fr. Andrew Hofer explores St. Thomas Aquinas's understanding of God's Justice as revealed in the Gospel and the writings of St. Paul, emphasizing its connection to grace, truth, and the conformity of creation to God's intellect.

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Jan. 27, 2025

God's Mercy According to St. Thomas' Reading of the Apostle Paul | Fr…

Fr. Andrew Hofer explores St. Thomas Aquinas's understanding of God's mercy in the writings of St. Paul, paying particular attention to Mercy's relationship to Divine justice and its transformative activity in Christian life.

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Dec. 26, 2024

What is "Meaning" and Why Should I Care Whether My Life Has it? | Fr.…

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."

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Dec. 12, 2024

The Song of Songs: Human or Divine Eros? | Prof. Nina Sophie Heereman

This lecture was given on November 2nd, 2024, at St. Albert's Priority as part of intellectual retreat for the west coast titled: "Wisdom Literature."

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Dec. 11, 2024

In Medio Ecclesiae: The Importance of Embodying Wisdom According to …

This lecture was given on November 2nd, 2024, at St. Albert's Priority as part of intellectual retreat for the west coast titled: "Wisdom Literature."

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Dec. 10, 2024

Scripture as a Source of Wisdom in Catholic Theology | Fr. Jordan Sch…

This lecture was given on November 1st, 2024, at St. Albert's Priority as part of intellectual retreat for the west coast titled: "Wisdom Literature."

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Dec. 9, 2024

'The Lord of All Loves Her': Mary’s Sapiential Garments | Prof. Nina …

This lecture was given on November 2nd, 2024, at St. Albert's Priority as part of intellectual retreat for the west coast titled: "Wisdom Literature."

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