The use of AI applications can be addictive. Algorithms are designed to keep our attention, and our data is collected to predict our behavior and influence our choices. AI seems to know us better than we do ourselves, but how can this be if we have free will? In this…
Catholics believe that the Pope has universal jurisdiction throughout the Church and that papal infallibility safeguards the Church’s solemn teaching. What are the origins of the papacy? What does papal infallibility entail? In this Aquinas 101 episode, Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., expands on the Catholic teaching of the papacy. ⭐…
Who can be a Catholic priest? Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. breaks down priestly formation into 4 pillars from Pope St. John Paul II's "Pastores Dabo Vobis": 1. Human Formation 2. Pastoral Formation 3. Spiritual Formation 4. Intellectual Formation Watch the full video for more!
The sacrament of holy orders progresses in three steps, with each step ordaining a man to one of the three ancient ranks of the priesthood: the diaconate, the priesthood, and the episcopacy. What are the characteristics of these roles? How is the rank of bishop distinct from the others? In…
The human soul is a rational soul because it exercises various acts of reason, intelligence, and will. Human intelligence is the activity of a spiritual power called intellect. What about AI? Does AI have real intelligence? Is AI a person? With the help of Thomas Aquinas, Fr. James Brent, O.P.…
There is a quiet rebellion spreading on college campuses. Students are finding truth amid the confusion of this world in the Catholic intellectual tradition. And, through the Thomistic Institute's campus chapters, they have the ability to be formed in the truth. But, we need your help. Donate to the formation…
Is artificial intelligence real intelligence, or just intelligence metaphorically speaking? Could AI be a person? Is AI made in the image of God? Fr. James Brent, O.P., dives into these questions and more in this episode of Aquinas 101. ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 20,000 enrollees inside…
In his novel, “The Idiot,” Fyodor Dostoevsky posed this question: will beauty save the world? Fr. Irenaeus Dunlevy, O.P., answers the age-old question in this #AskAFriar episode. ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 20,000 enrollees inside our FREE Aquinas 101 online learning platform! https://go.thomisticinstitute.org/register-youtube-a101. ❓ Questions you want…
In this video, Prof. Jordan Wales, Ph.D., dives into a fascinating theological and philosophical exploration of artificial intelligence. Drawing on the profound wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine of Hippo, we examine the critical differences between statistical mapping and true human intelligence (intelligentia). ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine,…
Who can be ordained a priest? It’s not just a matter of checking boxes. In this episode, Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., walks through the four pillars of priestly formation: human, pastoral, spiritual, and intellectual. ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 20,000 enrollees inside our FREE Aquinas 101 online…
Christ's saving mission continues to our day through chosen disciples, the Church's clergy. Today's bishops are the Apostles’ direct successors, and these bishops pass the fullness of holy orders to other men through ordination. In this Aquinas 101 video, Fr. Dominic Langevin, O.P., explains the role of apostolic succession within…
What are we to make of entities that imitate personhood while not possessing it? Watch the full video “Are Personal Relationships with AI Possible? #ThomasAquinas #JohnPaulII #Artificial Intelligence
Apps like Replika, No Mi, and a host of other AI “friends,” “lovers,” and “therapists” offer us the on-demand experience of intimacy with an interiority that doesn’t exist. What might this sort of relationship do to us, as such AIs become fixtures of our societal and—for some of us—our emotional…
Where does humor fit in the Christian life? Is eutrapelia considered virtuous? How do I cultivate humor, and when might it become excessive? Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., addresses the topic of humor in this #AskAFriar video! ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 20,000 enrollees inside our FREE Aquinas…
Generative AI chatbots on our computers and phones speak with us, remember us, and mirror our moods with uncanny fluency. They feel personal, but underlying the seemingly personal chatbots of today are vast artificial neural networks. They are able to generate responses a human might say because they have been…
In this Aquinas 101 episode, Fr. Dominic Legge, O.P., talks about Christ’s priesthood and what it means for priests and the Catholic Church as a whole. ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 20,000 enrollees inside our FREE Aquinas 101 online learning platform! https://go.thomisticinstitute.org/register-youtube-a101. ❓ Questions you want answered?…
Christ instituted seven sacraments, but only three of them confer a sacramental character: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. Sacramental character can never be lost, and it is for this reason that Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders can never be repeated. In this Aquinas 101 episode, Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., explains…
What is a Thomistic definition of faith? Is it possible to experience doubt, yet still have faith? Is it good practice to ask for an increase in faith? Join Fr. John Mark Solitario, O.P., as he answers these questions in this #AskAFriar episode! ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and…
Did Jesus’ life get better as he grew up? The friars answer these questions and more in the 50th episode of Ask a Friar.
When it comes to technology, it’s common to say phrases like, “my phone is detecting the WiFi signal,” “the thermostat monitors room temperature,” or “this computer is searching for available devices.” But if computers don’t have minds, why do we use that language? Furthermore, do the advances in A.I. make…
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With the release of the papal encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” AI is an ever-growing topic of conversation within the Church. In this Aquinas 101 episode, Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P., addresses the definition of consciousness in the age of artificial intelligence. ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 20,000 enrollees inside…
How do Mary and Jesus breathe in Heaven? Can we break a leg after the Resurrection? Stick around to hear Fr. Ambrose Little, O.P., answer these viewer-submitted questions! ⭐ Join Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and over 20,000 enrollees inside our FREE Aquinas 101 online learning platform! https://go.thomisticinstitute.org/register-youtube-a101. ❓ Questions you…
