The TAC Podcast

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, host John Finley sits down with architect Anthony Grumbine ('00), alumnus of Thomas Aquinas College and the University of Notre Dame's School of Architecture. Anthony discusses how the built environment acts as the backdrop to human life and shapes the soul. From Vitruvian principles of design to the differences between authentic local architecture and commercial fast-food design, Anthony explores how buildings embody theology, philosophy, and cultural values. He also reflects on how the liberal arts formation at TAC prepares thinkers to study the masters and bring enduring beauty into the modern world.  Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College: thomasaquinas.edu Subscribe for more alumni stories and conversations:  @TheTACPodcast  

How do we endure profound suffering, grief, and sudden loss when our world falls apart?   In this episode of "The TAC Podcast," we examine Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius and his masterpiece, "The Consolation of Philosophy." Falsely accused of treason and imprisoned while awaiting execution, the Roman statesman and philosopher was stripped of his wealth, status, and freedom. In the depth of his despair, he is visited by Lady Philosophy, who guides him out of melancholic grief by redirecting his mind toward truth, virtue, and the eternal order of reality.   Join us as we explore why human suffering involves far more than physical pain, how our assessment of hardship shapes our sorrow, and why the pursuit of wisdom remains one of the most deeply humanizing responses to tragedy.   Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Boethius & The Consolation of Philosophy 01:45 – How Do We Live with Grievous Suffering? 03:46 – Lady Philosophy Confronts Melancholic Grief 05:18 – Reading Boethius's Opening Lament0 7:45 – Contemplating Truth in the Midst of Despair 10:44 – The Root of the Problem: Forgetting Who You Are 12:40 – Why Humans Suffer: Rationality vs. Physical Pain 16:18 – Banishing False Muses: Emotion Governed by Reason 19:00 – The Fickle Nature of Fortune and Fate 21:08 – Comparing Boethius and the Book of Job 25:24 – C.S. Lewis on "Learning in Wartime" & Higher Purpose 28:18 – Attending to the Highest Reality 30:44 – The Vision of God: Reading the Central Prayer (Book III, Metrum 9) 35:42 – Faith, Reason, and the Five Big Questions (Fides et Ratio) 39:00 – Philosophy as a Deeply Personal and Healing Act 44:24 – Conclusion & Looking Ahead

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we are joined by Thomas Aquinas College alumnus Father Andrew De Silva—pastor at St. Peter the Apostle Parish in New Jersey and Captain in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.   Father Andrew shares valuable insights from his work with young adults across parish life, high school summer programs, and the military. We dive into why young Catholics are increasingly searching for objective truth, how genuine community and intellectual leisure provide an antidote to modern burnout, and the unique leadership lessons learned from serving both the Church and the armed forces.   00:00 – Highlights & Preview 00:49 – Welcome Father Andrew De Silva (Parish Pastor & Army Chaplain) 01:19 – What Young Catholics Are Searching for Today 04:00 – Institutional Distrust vs. The Search for Authentic Truth 06:50 – Great Books & Honest Dialogue at TAC 11:25 – Priestly Formation & Communicating the Faith with Authenticity 14:41 – Faith in the Military: Hierarchy, Doctrine, and Ministry to Soldiers 18:18 – Balancing Pastoral Duties & Preventing Burnout Through Leisure 24:21 – Vocations and True Friendship Formed in the Pursuit of Truth 26:00 – Intellectual Leisure: Deep Conversations Beyond the Classroom 28:39 – Mentorship and Leadership Formation in TAC Prefects 31:52 – Leading as a Military Chaplain vs. Leading a Parish 34:48 – Closing Thoughts    

What can Aristotle teach us about the study of the natural world more than 2,000 years after he wrote the Physics? Unlike modern physics, Aristotle's study of nature begins not with equations, specialized experiments, or mathematical models, but with our ordinary experience of the world around us. Motion, change, time, causality, matter, and nature itself are realities we encounter constantly, yet rarely stop to examine.   In this episode of "The TAC Podcast," Dr. John Finley and Dr. Chris Decaen explore the opening of Aristotle's Physics and ask why this ancient work remains foundational to the Western philosophical tradition. They discuss the difference between modern physics and the classical philosophy of nature, why Aristotle begins with what is most familiar to human experience, how knowledge moves from effects toward causes, and why understanding change ultimately requires an account of matter and form.   The conversation also considers a larger question: Can scientific measurement ever replace philosophical reflection on what things actually are? From Aristotle's investigation of nature emerges a path toward some of philosophy's deepest questions, including human nature, causality, the soul, and ultimately the unmoved mover Aristotle identifies as the highest cause of the natural world.   Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College and its Great Books curriculum at https://www.thomasaquinas.edu #Aristotle #Physics #Philosophy #GreatBooks #ThomasAquinasCollege #NaturalPhilosophy #Metaphysics #Science #classicaleducation     00:00 – Introduction: Why Aristotle's Physics Still Matters 01:08 – Modern Physics vs. Aristotle's Philosophy of Nature 04:35 – Starting from Common Human Experience 08:34 – Fundamental Principles vs. Modern Science Pitfalls 10:00 – Ordinary Language vs. Mathematical Abstraction 11:03 – The Nature of Speed: More Than Distance Over Time 14:29 – What is Known to Us vs. What is Knowable in Itself 17:25 – Reasoning from Effects to Causes 20:44 – Moving from Vague Grasp to Clear Definition 23:33 – Why Fundamental Natural Philosophy Stands the Test of Time 26:12 – The Drawing Analogy: Implicit Awareness & Active Perception 28:52 – Practical Science vs. Contemplative Wonder 30:50 – Where Human Nature Fits into the Order of Sciences 33:37 – The First Mover: Transition from Physics to Metaphysics 36:20 – Why the Philosophy of Nature Precedes Ethics 42:43 – Starting with Change: Matter, Form, and Privation 47:20 – Conclusion & Looking Ahead to Matter and Form

In this episode of "The TAC Podcast," we explore the "loneliness pandemic," and the fundamental human need for connection, through the lens of Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics." Join us as we discuss the different levels of friendship — from utility and pleasure to "complete friendship" based on virtue — and how our modern, technologized world affects our ability to form deep, lasting bonds. Chapters: 00:00 The "Loneliness Pandemic" and Current Statistics 01:21 Why We Are Social Animals 02:57 The Deep Need to Love and Be Loved 05:12 Aristotle's Three Kinds of Friendship 06:15 Friendships of Utility vs. Pleasure 07:12 What is a "Complete Friendship"? 09:12 Growing in Virtue Together  10:58 Mutual Understanding and Awareness 12:50 The Barriers of Modern Anxiety and Vulnerability 14:14 The Challenge of Consumer Culture and Isolation 15:13 The Importance of "Living Together" and Shared Life 17:42 "A Friend is Another Self" 19:05 Looking Together at the Good 21:32 The Universal Desire for Community 23:35 Becoming "Lovable" and Deserving of Friendship 25:52 The Cyclical Relationship Between Morality and Friendship 27:56 Self-Help vs. Helping Others 29:08 Justice: The Foundation of Reliable Bonds 31:35 Trust and the Risks of Social Media Status 33:55 The Surface Level of Digital Communication 37:00 Moving Actively Toward Connection 38:53 Institutions of Connection: Marriage, Church, and Community 40:15 The Supernatural Dimension of Friendship 42:38 Why True Friends are Few 44:48 Depth over Breadth: The Human Limit 45:26 Marriage as the Paradigm for Devoted Friendship

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we explore the groundbreaking social encyclical from Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, which addresses the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence. Drawing parallels to the Industrial Revolution and the legacy of Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum, the discussion centers on how AI impacts human dignity, the necessity of limits, and the importance of maintaining genuine human relationships in a digital age.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Magnifica Humanitas 02:07 - Biblical Imagery: Tower of Babel vs. Nehemiah 03:10 - A History of Catholic Social Teaching 04:19 - Systematic Overview of Social Principles 05:10 - The Gentle and Proposals-Based Tone of the Encyclical 07:25 - Analyzing the Tower of Babel as a Warning for AI 11:34 - Homogeneity and the Danger of Treating People as Cogs 16:47 - AI as an "Out of Control" System vs. Human Reason 19:11 - Defining AI: Imitation vs. Human Experience 21:54 - The Risk of Losing Human Personal Relationships 25:28 - Five Core Principles of Social Doctrine 27:14 - Subsidiarity, Solidarity, and Social Justice 35:01 - Defining the Common Good in the AI Context 42:52 - The Role of Families, Schools, and Corporations 45:30 - The Technocratic Paradigm and the Lure of Efficiency 48:42 - Embracing Finitude and the Value of Human Suffering

In this episode of "The TAC Podcast," we explore Pope Leo XIII's landmark 1891 encyclical, Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labor). This foundational document of modern Catholic social teaching addressed the dire condition of the working classes during the Industrial Revolution, offering a third way between unbridled capitalism and the rising tide of socialism. We discuss how Leo XIII defends the natural right to private property, while emphasizing its social purpose, the essential harmony between capital and labor, and the critical role of the family as the primary unit of society. We also look ahead to how later Popes, such as St. John Paul II, built upon these principles to address the challenges of the 20th century. Join us as we break down the "lasting paradigm" created by Leo XIII for the Church's engagement with social and economic concerns. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Rerum Novarum and the "genre" of Encyclicals 01:32 - Why Pope Leo XIII addressed the condition of the Working class 03:55 - The Rise of socialism and the Church's response 05:40 - Three reasons Leo XIII Argued against the socialist remedy 06:28 - Defending private property through Natural Law 08:39 - The threat to the social and political order 09:30 - The Church as a father figure to a global family 10:48 - Harmony vs. Conflict: The Relationship Between Employer and Employee 11:23 - The inseparability of private property and the family 13:43 - The dignity of human labor and personal ownership 16:36 - Reason, human nature, and the need for lasting goods 19:51 - The right to possess vs. the responsibility of use 22:21 - How private ownership serves the common good 24:18 - Man as sub-creator: the art of cultivation 25:52 - Pragmatic failures of abolishing private property 27:18 - 20th-Century Reflections: From Leo XIII to John Paul II 28:22 - True alienation: being cut off from god and neighbor 31:40 - Rejecting class warfare for the "body politic" 35:48 - The Church's higher call to friendliness and community 37:47 - Covetousness, envy, and the Tenth Commandment 40:26 - A Warning to the rich: the responsibility of wealth 42:43 - Work as a communal act: working with and for others

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, host John Goyette sits down with Mike Ortner, tech entrepreneur, founder of Capterra, and author of The Catholic School Playbook. Together, they explore the essential foundations of an authentic Catholic education and why subjects like Latin and Mathematics are more relevant today than ever. Mike shares his journey from the tech world to philanthropic work in education, discussing the "product problem" in modern schools and the growing movement to revive wonder and rigor in the classroom. Whether you are a parent, educator, or student, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on the true purpose of college and the lifelong value of the Great Books.In this episode, you'll discover: Why Latin and Math are the ultimate tools for learning logic and coding. The "renewal movement" happening in Catholic schools across the country. How to move beyond "teaching to the test" to cultivate a genuine sense of wonder. Why an 18-year-old shouldn't feel pressured to choose a specialized career path immediately. The unique power of the seminar-style learning used at Thomas Aquinas College.   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Why 18-year-olds should study what they love 00:27 - Meeting Mike Ortner: From Capterra to Catholic education 01:10 - The importance of Mathematics and Latin in learning logic 03:45 - Latin as a foundation for coding and STEM careers 06:33 - Reviving Catholic education: Moving beyond the peripheral 08:00 - The decline and renewal of Catholic schools since 1965 11:06 - The "Product Problem": Why schools mirrored public systems 13:14 - Escaping the utilitarian trap: Restoring a sense of wonder 14:43 - Evangelization and Christ at the center of the curriculum 18:14 - Signs of hope: The leapfrog effect in successful schools 21:07 - Advice for parents: Demanding a better path for children 24:10 - Mike's personal journey: Finding the Great Books in his 20s 27:10 - Discovering Aristotle, Plato, and the power of humility 31:00 - Why Thomas Aquinas College? Seminar vs. Lecture formats 35:15 - The danger of early specialization and niche majors 37:00 - "What are you going to do with that?" Reframing the career question 40:00 - Learning as a "team sport": The value of the seminar table 42:03 - Conclusion: An education for life

What does it really mean to have faith? In this episode of The TAC Podcast: Great Books and First Principles, John Finley and Chris Decaen explore Søren Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling and one of the most unsettling passages in all of Scripture: God's command that Abraham sacrifice Isaac.  Drawing from Kierkegaard's famous "four vignettes," they examine why Abraham is called the father of faith, why faith cannot simply be reduced to reason, and why this story continues to challenge believers and skeptics alike. Together they discuss: Why Kierkegaard believed you cannot "go beyond faith" The challenge Hegel posed to Christianity Abraham, Isaac, and the test on Mount Moriah The relationship between faith and reason Why Kierkegaard's imagined versions of the story ultimately fail to explain Abraham The meaning of paradox in the Christian life What Abraham teaches us about trust, suffering, and obedience to God Whether you're interested in philosophy, theology, the Great Books, or the Bible, this conversation offers a thoughtful introduction to one of the most influential works of Christian existentialism and one of the greatest meditations ever written on faith. Subscribe for weekly conversations on the Great Books, philosophy, theology, history, science, and the enduring questions of human life. Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College: https://www.thomasaquinas.edu #Kierkegaard #FearAndTrembling #Abraham #Isaac #Faith #ChristianPhilosophy #GreatBooks #ThomasAquinasCollege #BibleStudy #Theology #Philosophy #Existentialism #MountMoriah #SorenKierkegaard #Catholic #Christianity

Does the new film adaptation of The Odyssey live up to Homer's epic, or does it lose the heart of the story? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we compare the original ancient text with the latest cinematic version. We explore what the film gets right, what it completely changes, and whether it's even possible to capture Odysseus's complex ten-year journey on the silver screen. In this video, we discuss: Key differences between the film's portrayal of Odysseus and Homer's original "man of many ways." How the movie handles the intervention of the gods compared to the book. Whether the film captures the true themes of home, identity, and suffering found in the epic poem. _______________________________   0:00 - Introduction: The Cultural Impact of The Odyssey 00:44 - First Impressions: Christopher Nolan's Adaptation 01:32 - Casting Decisions: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Agamemnon 02:41 - The Cinematics: Visualizing the Storms of Poseidon 03:15 - The Presence of the Gods: Personification vs. Hallucination 05:18 - Spoilers Begin: Analyzing the Final Scene and The Trojan Horse 06:21 - War Guilt: Why Odysseus Struggles to Return Home 08:42 - The Role of Agamemnon: Economic Motives vs. Insecurity 11:34 - The Destruction of Civilization: A 21st-Century Interpretation 13:06 - The Island of the Dead: Encounters with Achilles and the Price of Glory 16:11 - Major Structural Changes: The Omission of the Phaeacians 17:18 - Hospitality (Xenia): The Cyclops as the Worst Host and Guest 18:32 - Testing Fidelity: Odysseus in Ithaca (The Second Half of the Book) 20:41 - Character Arcs: The Crafty Odysseus vs. The Reflective Hero 21:26 - The Noble Swineherd: A Focus on Virtue and Fidelity 23:00 - Visual Spectacle vs. Existential Interiority 25:56 - Telemachus and Penelope: Vulnerability and Coming of Age 27:30 - Defining Zeus's Law: The Virtue of Treatment of Strangers 30:39 - The Sea as an Enemy: Blinding Polyphemus and the Curse of Poseidon 32:44 - The Fate of the Men: Negligence, Blame, and Dante's Inferno 36:47 - Calypso and Fidelity: Making Odysseus a "Respectable" Man 41:16 - Analyzing Anne Hathaway's Penelope: Feminism and Anachronisms 43:46 - The Homecoming Symbolism: The Olive Tree Bed vs. The Film's Ending 46:42 - The Power of Language vs. Moving Pictures 50:11 - The Staying Power of Homer: Why This Story Still Resonates 54:25 - Anti-Superhero Fatigue: The Vulnerability of the Human Spirit 56:32 - The Final Journey: Piety, Sacrifice, and the Oar in the Sand 1:01:03 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What separates a masterpiece from mere entertainment? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we move beyond film criticism to explore the "first principles" of cinema.   Drawing on the insights of Aristotle, Aquinas, and contemporary thinkers, we discuss whether film truly "imitates nature" and what it means to make the invisible visible on screen. We dive into the ethics of storytelling, the difference between art and propaganda, and the paradoxical necessity of stories being both "surprising and inevitable."   Whether you're a filmmaker, a cinephile, or someone interested in the intersection of faith and art, join us for a deep dive into the soul of cinema.   In this episode, we discuss: The nature of contemplation in a digital age. Why "bad movies" often feel like commercials. The role of human action and "the promise" in storytelling. A philosophical defense of bleak masterpieces like No Country for Old Men. Whether "Christian Film" is a coherent artistic category. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Why talk about film? 02:15 - Art vs. Work: The nature of contemplation 05:03 - What makes a movie "bad"? 06:43 - Art, prayer, and the perversion of manipulation 09:13 - The first principles of cinema 10:05 - Does art imitate reality? 12:21 - The artist's role: Making the invisible visible 16:46 - Revealing the meaning in humble realities 21:00 - Respecting the medium of film 26:10 - The Pixar framework: "Surprising and Inevitable" 31:00 - The juxtaposition of images 36:08 - Can a "bad person" make great art? 41:00 - The philosophy of No Country for Old Men 48:40 - Defending the hero of the story 50:50 - Is there such a thing as "Catholic Film"? 54:00 - Can you evangelize through art? 01:02:04 - Why movies are miracles 01:04:30 – Conclusion

What does it mean to teach? Can knowledge truly be transferred from one person to another, or must every student ultimately learn for himself? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, John Finley and Chris Decaen explore St. Thomas Aquinas's On the Teacher (De Magistro), one of the most profound reflections ever written on education, learning, and the life of the mind. Drawing from Aquinas's Disputed Questions on Truth, they examine whether human beings can genuinely be called teachers, how knowledge is acquired, why learning requires the active participation of the student, and what separates education from the mere transmission of information. Along the way, they discuss: • Can anyone actually teach you anything? • Why learning cannot be forced • The relationship between teachers, students, and truth • Whether we can teach ourselves • Why great teaching resembles guidance more than information transfer • The connection between education, virtue, and human flourishing • Aquinas's surprising account of angelic teaching • Whether teaching belongs to the contemplative or active life At a time when information is everywhere and artificial intelligence can answer nearly any question, Aquinas offers a timeless reminder: education is about more than information. It is about the formation of the human person and the pursuit of truth.  Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College at https://www.thomasaquinas.edu #Aquinas #Education #Teaching #Learning #Philosophy #GreatBooks #CatholicEducation #ThomasAquinas #ClassicalEducation #TheTACPodcast ___________________________________________________________________  00:00 - Introduction to Aquinas's On the Teacher 01:35 - The Disputed Questions vs. the Summa Theologiae 03:05 - Overview of the Four Articles on Teaching 03:40 - Article 1: Can a Human Truly Be a Teacher? 05:00 - Is God the Only Real Teacher? 08:55 - The Teacher-Student Dynamic: Pushing vs. Being Pushed 11:40 - Three Issues of Opinion: Existence, Virtue, and Knowledge 17:30 - Two Extremes of Moral Virtue Acquisition 22:20 - How Knowledge Comes to Be: Building on First Principles 27:00 - The Unity of Soul and Body in Learning 30:50 - The Teacher as a Guide and Instruction Giver 35:35 - The Medical Analogy: Doctors, Patients, and Nature 42:25 - Learning as a Recipient of a Gift 46:40 - Article 4: Is Teaching a Contemplative or Active Work? 51:50 - Article 3: Can Angels Teach Humans? 56:10 - How Angels Interact with Human Imagination and Light 1:00:30 - Closing Thoughts

Shakespeare's sonnets have captivated readers for more than 400 years. But what makes them some of the greatest poems ever written? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, John Finley and Chris Decaen take a close look at two of Shakespeare's most celebrated sonnets, Sonnet 18 ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?") and Sonnet 29 ("When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes"), uncovering the remarkable artistry hidden within every line. Together, they explore how Shakespeare uses rhyme, meter, structure, metaphor, and the famous "turn" of the sonnet to reveal profound truths about love, beauty, envy, memory, mortality, and the power of poetry itself. Along the way, they ask why the sonnet became one of history's most enduring literary forms and what these poems continue to teach us about the human person. Whether you're reading Shakespeare for the first time or returning to him after many years, this conversation offers a fresh appreciation for the extraordinary depth packed into just fourteen lines. In this episode we explore Sonnet 18 and the promise of "eternal summer" Sonnet 29 on envy, love, and gratitude How rhyme, meter, and poetic form create meaning The surprising relationship between art, beauty, and immortality. Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College at https://www.thomasaquinas.edu ________________________________________________ 00:00 - Introduction to Shakespeare's Sonnets and Literary Genre 00:40 - The Structure and Form of a Sonnet (14 Lines, Rhyme Scheme, Iambic Pentameter) 00:53 - Modernity and the Context of Shakespeare's Work 03:05 - Key Elements of Meaning: Meter, Rhyme, and the "Turn" 04:02 - The Challenge of Formal Constraints in Poetry 05:04 - Contrast with Modern Poetry (e.g., T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land") 05:44 - Analysis of Sonnet 29: "When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes" 08:06 - The "Turn" and Imagery of the Lark in Sonnet 29 10:19 - Deep Dive into the Language and Meter of Sonnet 29 20:50 - Themes of Memory and Redemption in Sonnet 29  24:48 - Comparing Inward vs. Outward Perspective in the Poem 28:03 - Analysis of Sonnet 18: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" 30:21 - Contrast Between the Temporary Nature of Summer and Eternal Art 33:24 - The Role of the Poet in Preserving the Beloved 39:35 - Chance, Nature, and Human Agency in Sonnet 18 45:10 - The Personification of Death and the Artist's Triumph 54:11 - Defining "Temperate" and Consistency in the Beloved 57:56 - Why the Sonnet is a Unique Literary Genre 01:00:50 - Comparing Sonnets to Soliloquies and Universal Human Thought 01:04:54 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Abraham Lincoln is remembered for some of the greatest speeches in American history. But what made them so powerful? In this episode of Th e TAC Podcast, John Finley and Chris Decaen explore Lincoln's greatest public addresses, including the Cooper Union Address, the Gettysburg Address, and the First and Second Inaugural Addresses, to uncover the principles that made him one of America's greatest statesmen. Rather than relying on empty rhetoric, Lincoln sought to persuade through reason, history, Scripture, and an appeal to the highest aspirations of the human person. His speeches reveal a remarkable combination of moral clarity, political prudence, and profound charity toward both allies and opponents. Together, our hosts discuss: • Why Lincoln remains one of history's greatest political speakers • The relationship between rhetoric, persuasion, and statesmanship • Lincoln's understanding of slavery, the Union, and the Declaration of Independence • The theological themes woven throughout the Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural • What Lincoln's speeches can still teach us about leadership in times of national division Whether you're interested in American history, political philosophy, the Civil War, or the Great Books tradition, Lincoln's words continue to offer enduring lessons in truth, leadership, and the pursuit of the common good. Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College: https://www.thomasaquinas.edu #AbrahamLincoln #GettysburgAddress #CivilWar #AmericanHistory #GreatBooks #PoliticalPhilosophy #Statesmanship #thomasaquinascollege ___________________ 00:00 – Introduction: The Truthful Cause of the War Setting the stage for the Civil War discussion, focusing on the preservation of the Union and the non-negotiable issue of slavery. 00:38 – Overview: Lincoln's Great Civil War Speeches Introducing the key texts: The Cooper Union address, the first and second inaugurals, and the Gettysburg Address. 01:30 – The Genius of Lincoln's Compact Rhetoric Discussing how Lincoln addressed momentous issues like slavery and secession in a brief yet powerful manner to win hearts and minds. 03:40 – Rhetoric as the Art of Persuasion A look at how Lincoln used reason and pleading—rather than force—to engage the South and address their anxieties. 05:58 – The Cooper Union Address: A President in Waiting Analyzing the 1860 speech where Lincoln established himself as a national leader by appealing to the Founders' views on slavery. 07:58 – Biblical Appeals and Moral Authority How Lincoln used shared cultural and religious traditions to connect with his audience and argue against the morality of slavery. 09:53 – Addressing the South's Conscience Lincoln's nuanced approach: acknowledging the North's moral stance while promising not to "smother" the institution where it already existed. 12:13 – Prudence vs. Principle Exploring Lincoln's rare ability to combine high moral truth with a sound sense of practical feasibility and realism. 14:07 – The Stance Toward the Listener How Lincoln's "manly yet sympathetic" tone served to prick the conscience of his detractors. 16:50 – The Lawyerly Logic of Lincoln Breaking down Lincoln's close textual readings of founding documents to prove federal jurisdiction over slavery in the territories. 17:58 – The Highwayman Analogy A forceful illustration from the Cooper Union address regarding the South's threat of secession as a "holdup" of the Union. 19:48 – The Gettysburg Address: A Temporal Sweep Analyzing the three-paragraph masterpiece that connects the nation's past, present, and future in just over two minutes. 22:50 – A New Birth of Freedom Discussing the "American Experiment" and the world-historical significance of ensuring a government "for the people" does not perish. 24:42 – Honoring the Dead Through Continued Work The shift from grieving to rededication: how Lincoln framed the war as an "unfinished work" for the living to complete. 27:40 – Providential Justice in the Second Inaugural A deep dive into Lincoln's most theological speech, framing the war as a divine "scourge" for the offense of slavery. 32:14 – Malice Toward None, Charity for All The famous concluding vision for binding up the nation's wounds and achieving a lasting peace. 36:30 – The Commonality of North and South Reflecting on Lincoln's observation that both sides "read the same Bible and pray to the same God." 41:30 – The Logic Against Secession Lincoln's argument in the first inaugural that physical separation is impossible and secession sets a dangerous, fragmenting precedent. 47:24 – Conclusion: The Better Angels of Our Nature Reflecting on the famous closing of the first inaugural address and its enduring message of national friendship.

Why did Abraham Lincoln believe America could not endure half slave and half free? Why did Stephen Douglas insist that the nation should stop debating the morality of slavery altogether? In this episode, TAC tutors John Finley and Chris Decaen examine the final two Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, the famous political contest that helped launch Lincoln onto the national stage just two years before his election to the presidency. Together, they explore the central questions that divided the candidates: slavery, states' rights, popular sovereignty, the Dred Scott decision, and the future of the American republic. Far from being a mere political disagreement, the debates reveal a deeper conflict over whether slavery was simply a matter of local preference or a profound moral wrong. Lincoln presses Douglas on a question he struggles to answer: If slavery is wrong, can anyone have a right to it? Douglas, meanwhile, argues that preserving the Union requires leaving the issue to the states and avoiding national confrontation. Along the way, John and Chris discuss: • The Missouri Compromise and its collapse • The Kansas-Nebraska Act and popular sovereignty • The Dred Scott decision and its consequences • Lincoln's understanding of natural rights and human equality • Douglas's defense of states' rights • Why the debates foreshadowed the coming Civil War • The relationship between morality, law, and politics The Lincoln-Douglas debates remain some of the most remarkable public arguments in American history. Their questions about justice, political authority, and the moral foundations of a free society remain as relevant today as they were in 1858. Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College at https://www.thomasaquinas.edu #LincolnDouglasDebates #AbrahamLincoln #StephenDouglas #CivilWar #AmericanHistory #Politics #StatesRights #Slavery #DredScott #ThomasAquinasCollege #GreatBooks #HistoryPodcast #PoliticalPhilosophy #Lincoln #UnitedStatesHistory #FirstPrinciples

For centuries, some of the greatest writers in the Western tradition have wrestled with a troubling question: What does evil actually look like? In this episode, join TAC tutors John Finley and Chris Decaen as they examine four unforgettable portrayals of the devil in literature: Dante's silent and defeated Satan, Milton's charismatic rebel in Paradise Lost, Dostoevsky's unsettling visitor in The Brothers Karamazov, and Shakespeare's master deceiver, Iago, in Othello. Along the way, they explore pride, envy, deception, despair, temptation, and the strange ways evil presents itself to the human soul. Why does Dante's Satan never speak? Why do readers often find Milton's Satan compelling? Is Dostoevsky's devil real, imagined, or something in between? And what makes Iago one of the most chilling villains ever written? Join us every week for a conversation about the literary imagination and what the great authors reveal about the human condition. Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College at https://www.thomasaquinas.edu

Is a liberal arts education a "luxury item" for the elite, or a necessary foundation for the human soul? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, host John Finley is joined by alumnus and tech veteran Nathan Haggard to tackle the modern objections to a Great Books education. From the "All-In" podcast's criticisms to Elon Musk's focus on first principles, we examine why the world's most successful technologists often miss the mark on what education is truly for. We discuss the "rigor" of the hard sciences within the liberal arts, why the internet can't replace a classroom, and why AI — no matter how powerful — will never be able to grasp the first principles of the "Good Life." In this episode, we discuss: The "BS" Degree Objection: Addressing the student debt crisis and the "tourism" approach to humanities. The Hard Sciences of TAC: Why 4 years of math and science are core to the liberal arts. Scientific Method vs. First Principles: Why even physics rests on metaphysical assumptions. The Trap of Usefulness: How the market economy diminishes our view of human worth. AI and Values: Why machine intelligence has no concept of "The Good." 00:00 – Introduction 01:15 – Addressing the "Liberal Arts BS Degree" Criticism 03:19 – The Hidden Rigor: 4 Years of Math and Science at TAC 05:18 – Engaging with Original Thinkers: Newton, Descartes, and Euclid 08:21 – Is Education Just for the Elite? Addressing the "Ripoff" Claim 10:05 – Information vs. Thinking: Why the Internet isn't a School 12:50 – Aristotle vs. Nietzsche: Searching for Truth in a Group 16:04 – The Meta-Narrative of Science: Its Own Greatest Limitation 18:45 – The "Dark Mist" of Learning: Why Frustration is Progress 23:10 – Challenging Elon Musk: What Do Physics Principles Rest On? 25:55 – The Goal of Life: Why the Scientific Method Can't Tell Us "Why" 32:20 – Bill Gates & the Market Economy: Is Education Only for a Job? 37:25 – The "Lazy River" Problem: Consumerism in Modern Colleges 41:50 – The Hierarchy of Knowledge: Why Your Worldview Controls Everything 47:45 – Lived Experience vs. Intellectual Training 53:00 – Analytical Skills: Why "Critical Thinking" isn't Enough 58:40 – The Author as Professor: The Unique Pedagogy of TAC 1:04:10 – Steve Jobs and the "Heart Singing" Mystery 1:06:10 – What ChatGPT Says About Values and First Principles 1:09:00 – The Risk of Emulating Machines: Why Humans Must Lead

"Who can say what truth is?" In a world of competing ideologies and "brain hacks," is it possible to find solid ground on the most important questions of human existence? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we dive into TAC's "Great Books" approach to education, where students are immersed in diametrically opposed worldviews — from the virtue ethics of Aristotle to the radical critiques of Nietzsche. We discuss how a liberal arts education, rooted in the Catholic tradition, provides the tools to judge between these perspectives and move from mere opinion to well-grounded conviction. Key highlights include: The difference between a "Great Book" and a modern bestseller. The "Order of Discovery": Why we study scientific theories that were eventually "discarded." How Euclidean geometry builds a student's confidence in human reason. The interplay between the Socratic method and a definitive Catholic vision of reality. Why philosophy isn't just an "intellectual game" but a path to the immortal soul and the existence of God. Join the Conversation: 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into the Great Books. 💬 Comment: When two great thinkers disagree, how do you decide who is right? 00:00 – Introduction: Settling the questions of the Soul and God 01:30 – Why original authors? The integrated Liberal Arts degree 02:45 – What makes a "Great Book"? Influence vs. Weighty Questions 05:45 – Bestsellers vs. The Classics: The "Atomic Habits" comparison 07:15 – Why we avoid "Brain Hacks" and seek the core of the issue 09:20 – The test of time: Why contemporary advice is often time-bound 12:00 – The limits of a four-year program: Why we don't read Dickens 14:10 – Math and Science: Why study "discarded" scientific notions? 16:00 – The Order of Discovery: Epistemology vs. Synthetic Textbooks 18:30 – The risk of taking science as "Revelation" 20:00 – The "Rollercoaster" of 19th Century Atomic Theory 22:30 – Being a driver of your own education through Seminar 23:45 – Freshman Math: The rigor of Euclid's Elements 25:50 – Moving beyond "Scanning": Immersion in an author's thought 27:00 – The challenge of Nietzsche: Opposed worldviews at a Catholic College 28:30 – How to take a "deeply mistaken" author seriously 30:30 – The Primacy of St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle 33:10 – Ranking Philosophers: The Tutorial vs. The Seminar 35:10 – Is everything a Philosophy class? 37:45 – Comparing disciplines to find a unity of Truth 40:15 – Mathematics as a habituation to objective Truth 41:40 – Intellectual Progress: Why Philosophy is not just a game 43:00 – Conclusion: The joy of well-grounded views on Truth

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we explore one of the most influential and challenging works of modern literature: T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land." Written in the aftermath of the First World War, the poem presents a kaleidoscopic vision of a society in decay, mirroring the fragmentation of the Western tradition. We discuss the recurring themes of sterility, the breakdown of relationships between men and women, and the haunting presence of the "Unreal City." From the "cruelest month" of April to the final Sanskrit calls for peace, we examine how Eliot uses fragments of the past to shore against his ruins — and what that reveals about our own cultural landscape today.   Timecode Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" 01:50 - Structure and the Five Principal Parts 02:21 - The Theme of Fragmentation and Unity 04:21 - Recurring Images: London, the Thames, and Tyreseius 06:19 - Dysfunctional Relationships and Modern Sterility 07:45 - Analysis: "April is the Cruelest Month" 10:20 - The Absence of God and the Empty Chapel 12:50 - The Fire Sermon: Rats, Decay, and Casualness 15:00 - Tyreseius as the Principle of Unity 19:50 - Intellectual Elitism vs. the Western Canon 24:20 - The Medium as the Message: Imitating Reality 28:30 - Madame Sosostris and the Tarot Cards 33:50 - St. Augustine, Carthage, and the Burning of Lust 37:10 - What the Thunder Said: The Search for Water 43:55 - The Three Commands: Datta, Dayadhvam, Damyata 50:50 - Final Thoughts: Modernity and the Value of Poetry

Is it possible to have a "just war" in an era of nuclear and biological weapons? How does a U.S. Ambassador navigate the "media-induced war" between the Pope and the President? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we sit down with Brian Burch, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and founder of Catholic Vote, following his commencement address at Thomas Aquinas College. We dive deep into the concept of "soft power," the "tranquility of order," and the spiritual validation of public service. From the geopolitical threats of a nuclear-armed Iran to the philosophical challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence, Ambassador Burch provides a rare look at the intersection of faith, reason, and statecraft. Key Topics Covered: The Calling: Brian's story of receiving the presidential appointment on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Geopolitics: The "soft power" of the Vatican in Cuba, Lebanon, and Nigeria. Just War Theory: A substantive look at the morality of force and the "legitimate sovereign's" responsibility. The AI Revolution: Why Silicon Valley is looking to the Vatican to define the limits of machine reasoning. Family Life: The adventure (and logistics) of moving a large family from Chicago to Rome. Support the Podcast: If you value these deep dives into the ideas that shape our world, please like, subscribe, and share! Learn more at thomasaquinas.edu/podcast #TheTACPodcast #Vatican #Geopolitics #JustWar #AI #FaithAndReason #ThomasAquinasCollege Timecode Chapter Markers 00:00 – Introduction: The complementarity of Sovereigns 01:10 – The Appointment: A call from the President 03:15 – Moving to Rome: Raising 9 kids in the Eternal City 07:40 – What does an Ambassador to the Vatican actually do? 09:50 – Global Hotspots: Cuba, Lebanon, and Nigeria 11:30 – The True Meaning of Peace: Augustine's Tranquility of Order 16:10 – Utopia vs. Reality: Peace in a Fallen World 20:15 – Just War Doctrine in the Age of Modern Weaponry 25:10 – The Legitimate Sovereign's Decision: Prudence and Intelligence 28:10 – Rubio's Visit: Correcting the Media's "War" Narratives 37:00 – Catholic Identity in the U.S. Administration 43:00 – The Value of a Liberal Arts Education in Diplomacy 47:00 – The AI Revolution: Can Machines Reason? 50:30 – The "Imago Dei" vs. Silicon Valley 54:00 – Digital Slavery and the Importance of Leisure 1:02:00 – Fatherhood: Time, Adventure, and Reading Narnia 1:09:40 – Hope for America: Relying on Divine Providence

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we dive into the dark and radical world of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan. We explore Hobbes's view of the human being as a machine, the terrifying reality of the "State of Nature," and why he believes the Sovereign is the only thing standing between us and total chaos. Is Hobbes a realist or a cynic? Join us as we unpack his views on materialism, speech, and the eternal tension between political power and religious authority. Subscribe for more deep dives into the Great Books and the ideas that shaped the West.   00:00 - Introduction: The Artificial Animal 01:24 - Man as a Machine: Hobbes's Radical Materialism 05:15 - Sense and Imagination: How We Perceive the World 08:34 - The Root of Desire: Appetites and Aversions 12:50 - The Power of Speech and Reason 16:13 - Perpetual Restlessness: The Human Drive for Power 21:25 - The State of Nature: A War of All Against All 25:50 - The Birth of the Sovereign: Why We Create the Leviathan 28:30 - The Challenge of Religion: Secular vs. Divine Authority 35:45 - Hobbes's Legacy: Realism in the Modern World 42:36 - Closing Thoughts

Are the writings of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass merely American, or do they belong among the great texts of the Western tradition? Dr. Adam Seagrave joins us to explore how the American founding contributes to the perennial questions of justice, freedom, and human dignity. At the center of the conversation is slavery—not only as a historical reality, but as a contradiction within the American project itself. Rather than being resolved by force alone, we examine how it was ultimately confronted at the level of principle, rooted in the claims of the Declaration of Independence. We also consider the role of divine providence in the thought of Lincoln, Douglass, and John Brown, and how their ideas about God and history helped shape the course of the nation. About the Show: The TAC Podcast offers a window into the intellectual life of Thomas Aquinas College, where students and faculty engage the great books and first principles in pursuit of truth.

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we begin our journey through one of the most influential works in Western philosophy: Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. We start at the very beginning—Book One—where Aristotle sets an extraordinary aim: to define the "human good" and discover what it is that all human beings are truly aiming at. Is happiness just a feeling, or is it something more? We discuss Aristotle's famous definition of happiness as "rational activity in accordance with virtue" and explore why he believes that living well is a practice, not just a product. We also tackle the "political" nature of man and the sobering reality of how much of our happiness is within our control—and how much is left to chance. In this episode, we cover:  00:00 – The most controversial question: What is human happiness? 04:30 – Aristotle vs. Plato: Practical goods vs. the "Good itself." 07:30 – Why the "human" part of the "human good" matters. 09:50 – Candidates for happiness: Pleasure, Wealth, Honor, and Virtue. 15:00 – Why a good upbringing is a prerequisite for ethics. 20:30 – The Function Argument: What is the "work" of a human being? 31:10 – Happiness as self-sufficient and the social nature of man. 45:10 – The role of luck and "happenstance" in a good life. Key Takeaway: "Happiness is not a state of mind, but a way of living. It is the fulfillment of our nature as rational beings, perfected through activity and virtue." If you enjoyed this deep dive into the roots of moral philosophy, make sure to Subscribe to The TAC Podcast and hit the notification bell for our upcoming episodes!

How can God tolerate such evil in the world, especially the horrors inflicted upon the innocent? In Episode 10 of The TAC Podcast, we dive deep into Dostoevsky's final masterpiece, The Brothers Karamazov. We explore the "unassailable" arguments of Ivan Karamazov, the psychological "coiling" of the brothers, and why the novel puts its readers through an emotional and spiritual ringer. From the "Grand Inquisitor" to the heart-wrenching sub-story of the child Ilusha, we discuss whether Dostoevsky provides a philosophical answer to the problem of evil, or a narrative one found only in the active practice of love and compassion. In this episode, John and Chris enter Dostoevsky's most unsettling terrain. Through Ivan's rebellion, the novel gathers its most forceful indictment of faith, confronting the horrors of injustice not in the abstract, but in the concrete suffering of children. Every attempt to explain it seems to collapse under its own weight. If even forgiveness cannot undo what has been done, what kind of world are we living in? Yet Dostoevsky does not answer Ivan with a counterargument. Instead, he offers a response that is lived rather than proven. Through Alyosha, through acts of compassion, and ultimately through the silent figure of Christ in the Grand Inquisitor, the novel proposes that suffering is not solved, but entered into. Not erased, but transformed. What emerges is not a neat resolution, but something more demanding: a vision of human life in which love bears what reason alone cannot. Whether you're a long-time fan of Russian literature or new to the Karamazov family, join us for a conversation on the "stain of the earth" and the hope that remains despite our fallen condition. In this episode: The psychological depth and "exhausting" nature of Dostoevsky's characters. Ivan Karamazov's "irrefutable" rebellion against God. The Grand Inquisitor: Why the world often chooses bread over freedom. The parallel between Ivan's abstract suffering and Alyosha's active compassion. The mystery of the father-son relationship and the "Karamazov" legacy. Chapters: 0:00 The Irrefutable Argument: Suffering and Forgiveness 0:26 Why The Brothers Karamazov is an "Exhausting" Masterpiece 1:10 The Coiled Souls: Morality, Theology, and Soap Opera Tensions 4:21 Why Dostoevsky Brings the "Storminess" to the Surface 7:35 Analyzing the Brothers: Temperament and Life Paths 8:10 Ivan's Notebook: The Problem of Innocent Suffering 11:30 Transfiguring Suffering Through Active Love 14:42 The Contrast Between Abstract Rebellion and Real Relationships 18:18 The Story of Ilusha: Sin, Guilt, and Compassion 21:50 The Absent Father: A Common Denominator Manifested in Three Ways 26:30 The Grand Inquisitor: Bread, Power, and the Three Temptations 33:10 Alyosha as a Christ Figure: Fumbling Toward the Good 37:10 The Murder of Fyodor: Guilt in the Heart vs. External Evidence 43:00 The Odor of Corruption: Alyosha's Crisis of Faith and Grushenka's Mercy 46:00 Love as a Harsh and Terrible Thing Visit our website: ThomasAquinas.edu Connect with The TAC Podcast: instagram.com/TheTACPodcast #TheBrothersKaramazov #Dostoevsky #TheTACPodcast #Philosophy #Literature #ProblemOfEvil #GrandInquisitor #ClassicBooks

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, John Finley sits down with longtime friend and former Apple enterprise leader Nathan Haggard to explore the intersection of classical philosophy and the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. Nathan shares his unique journey from studying the Great Books at Thomas Aquinas College to spending 16 years at the forefront of the tech industry. Together, they tackle the existential "forcing function" of AI: If technology can eventually do everything humans do, what is left for us? In this episode, we discuss: The AI Paradox: Why the rise of automation is forcing us back to fundamental questions of human value. The Theology of Work: Drawing on Pope John Paul II's Laborem Exercens, we explore why work is a fundamental human vocation, not just a means to an end. Aristotle & the Problem of Leisure: Why the "ruin of society" often stems from an inability to handle free time, and how we can avoid the trap of modern distraction. Pascal's Challenge: Examining the famous claim that all of humanity's problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone. The Integration of Life: Moving beyond "work-life balance" toward a holistic vision of human flourishing. Whether you're interested in the future of the tech industry or the timeless wisdom of the Great Books, this conversation offers a roadmap for maintaining our humanity in an age of machines. Support The TAC Podcast: Subscribe for more deep dives into the Great Books and philosophical inquiry. Visit our website: thomasaquinas.edu Follow us on Social Media: instagram @thetacpodcast Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Pascal's Quote on Solitude 01:05 - Nathan Haggard's Journey: From Great Books to Apple 07:30 - Why "Learning How to Think" is the Only Future-Proof Skill 11:30 - The Nature of Work: What is it Actually For? 14:30 - AI as a Forcing Function for Existential Questions 18:40 - Work as an Imitation of the Creator (Genesis & JP II) 21:30 - The 40-Hour Work Week vs. Human Flourishing 25:00 - What Happens to Society When We Don't Have to Work? 30:30 - Lessons from Mozart & Bach: The Value of Constraints 34:50 - Aristotle on Leisure: The Internal Ruin of Societies 43:40 - Confronting the "World of Distraction" 46:30 - Closing Thoughts: Choosing Priorities with Head, Heart, and Gut   #Philosophy #AI #FutureOfWork #GreatBooks #TheTACPodcast #Aristotle #ArtificialIntelligence #Leisure

In this episode, our hosts discuss Shakespeare's Macbeth, one of the most haunting and powerful tragedies in the Western tradition. Set against a world of prophecy, ambition, guilt, and bloodshed, the conversation explores the mysterious interplay between supernatural evil and human freedom, asking how Macbeth becomes both agent and victim in his own destruction. Through close attention to the weird sisters, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth's own moral unraveling, the episode considers some of the play's deepest questions: How does temptation work? What is the relation between evil and self-deception? How can ambition corrupt courage, loyalty, and even reason itself? As the discussion unfolds, Shakespeare's tragedy emerges not only as a political drama, but as a profound meditation on conscience, manhood, despair, and the mystery of evil. This conversation invites listeners into a serious and searching engagement with one of Shakespeare's greatest works and the enduring human questions it raises. Subscribe for new episodes each week.

In this episode, John and Chris continue their exploration of the heavens, turning to Copernicus, Kepler, and the profound transformation of our understanding of the cosmos. What begins as a seemingly simple question—why doesn't it feel like the Earth is moving?—opens into a deeper inquiry about observation, explanation, and the nature of scientific truth. Without new instruments or discoveries, Copernicus proposes a radical shift: not new data, but a new perspective. By placing the Earth in motion, he transforms what once appeared as irregularities into intelligible patterns. Subscribe for new episodes each week.

In this episode, John Goyette sits down with Matt Peterson, a TAC alumnus and media executive to explore the rapidly shifting landscape of artificial intelligence, digital technology, and the future of education. As AI reshapes the job market and disrupts entire industries, the conversation turns to a surprising claim: that a liberal education is not becoming obsolete, but increasingly necessary. What does it mean to think, write, and speak well in an age where machines can imitate these abilities? And why are employers beginning to value precisely those human capacities that technology cannot replace? The discussion also ventures into deeper territory—examining the nature of digital media, the power of algorithms, and the growing tension between human agency and technological influence. From the collapse of traditional education models to the question of how to live well in a world saturated by screens, our hosts consider whether technology will serve the human person—or quietly begin to master him. Rooted in the Great Books tradition and the lived experience of liberal education, this episode offers a timely and searching reflection on AI, media, and the enduring importance of forming the mind and character in pursuit of the good life. Subscribe for new episodes each week.

In this episode, John and Chris discuss Jane Austen's Emma, a novel at once comic, subtle, and morally penetrating. Through the story of one remarkable young woman, the conversation explores friendship, marriage, self-knowledge, social life, and the quiet but demanding work of virtue in ordinary human relationships. Set in the small world of village life, Emma may seem far removed from our own, yet its questions remain deeply familiar: How well do we really know ourselves? What does genuine care for others require? How should intelligence, affection, imagination, and pride be ordered in a good life? As the discussion unfolds, the episode considers Austen's insight into character, her portrayal of moral growth, and the ways everyday interactions can become the setting for both vice and virtue. This conversation offers a thoughtful look at one of Austen's greatest novels and the enduring truths it reveals about human nature, love, and the formation of the soul. Subscribe for new episodes each week.

In this episode, we explore Plato's Euthyphro, a brief but profound dialogue that raises enduring questions about piety, justice, truth, and the nature of the divine. Set in the shadow of Socrates' trial, the conversation explores what it means to live rightly before God, whether piety is grounded in divine command or in the truth of things, and why these questions still matter. The discussion offers listeners a window into the kind of thoughtful, searching conversation that defines Thomas Aquinas College. Subscribe for new episodes each week. Go to www.thomasaquinas.edu/podcast to learn more!

What is The Communist Manifesto, and what kind of argument does it advance? In this episode, we examine Marx and Engels' brief but historically consequential text as a work of political rhetoric grounded in a broader historical claim: that the "mode of economic production and exchange" constitutes the foundation of social and intellectual life, and that human history is best understood as a sequence of class antagonisms. We consider the Manifesto's attempt to present this thesis not merely as a programmatic platform, but as an ostensibly empirical account of historical development, culminating in a call for revolutionary action. The conversation also addresses Engels' comparison between Marx's proposition and Darwin's theory of evolution, exploring the implications of construing social order through struggle, competition, and material conditions rather than through appeals to universal human nature, moral principle, or transcendent ends. We discuss Marx's distinctive emphasis on praxis, including the claim that the task of philosophy is not primarily contemplative understanding but transformative action. Finally, we evaluate the Manifesto from two perspectives: (1) its underlying philosophical anthropology (materialism, the status of religion, and the critique of the family) and (2) its historical prognosis. We ask how Marx's predictions should be assessed nearly two centuries later, with particular attention to the revolutionary experiments of the twentieth century and the role of modern technological and economic development in moderating or reshaping the conditions Marx regarded as inevitable. Topics include: * The Manifesto as persuasion: thesis, objections, and political aims * Class struggle and economic determinism as historical explanation * Engels' Darwin analogy and the logic of "evolution" in history * Reform versus revolution and the rationale for coercive overthrow * Marx on property, the family, and religion * Retrospective assessment: Russia, China, and the "did it happen?" question #CommunistManifesto #Marx #Engels #PoliticalPhilosophy #Modernity #HistoryOfIdeas #ClassicalEducation 

Why devote an entire semester to Ptolemy when his cosmology is, in a fundamental respect, false? In this episode, we discuss Ptolemy's Almagest as one of the most ambitious and intellectually disciplined attempts to give a comprehensive, mathematically rigorous account of the visible cosmos. Although the geocentric hypothesis ultimately proves incorrect, Ptolemy's achievement remains exemplary: he constructs a predictive model grounded in careful observation, geometric reasoning, and a principled commitment to explaining celestial phenomena through uniform circular motion. We consider why the Almagest has enduring pedagogical value. First, it compels students to inhabit a worldview whose plausibility emerges from ordinary experience: the apparent rotation of the heavens, the fixity of the North Star, and the seasonal variation of the night sky. Second, it demonstrates how scientific inquiry proceeds through the disciplined reconciliation of theory with anomalies, as Ptolemy introduces eccentrics, epicycles, and refined astronomical parameters to preserve intelligibility and predictive power. Third, it illuminates the historical logic of discovery: Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton do not merely "replace" Ptolemy, but respond to and build upon the technical and conceptual problems his work articulates. The conversation also addresses Ptolemy's striking philosophical claims about astronomy: its proximity to theology (as an inquiry into the divine order manifest in celestial regularity), its moral significance (formation of the soul through contemplation of proportion and order), and its elevation of mathematical reasoning as a paradigmatic mode of knowledge. Topics include: * The Almagest as a comprehensive astronomical theory: observation, geometry, and prediction * Why geocentrism is initially plausible and intellectually serious * Uniform circular motion as an explanatory principle * Eccentrics and epicycles: anomaly, refinement, and theoretical tension * Precision in ancient astronomy: measuring the year and celestial phenomena * Ptolemy, contemplation, and the formative dimension of scientific study * Historical continuity: how later astronomy emerges through response to Ptolemy #Ptolemy #Almagest #Astronomy #HistoryOfScience #ClassicalEducation #GreatBooks #Mathematics #ThomasAquinasCollege

Is mainstream education failing the next generation? In this episode of the TAC Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Wayne Tate, founder and CEO of the Classic Learning Test (CLT), to explore how standardized testing has reshaped American education — and why a classical alternative may be the key to renewal. From the rise of the SAT and Common Core to the growing influence of AI in classrooms, Tate argues that tests don't just measure education — they drive it. As reading lists shrink, calculators replace mental math, and ChatGPT writes student essays, what happens to real learning? We discuss: • How the SAT and ACT transformed curriculum • Why great books matter more than ever • The danger of reducing education to job training • AI, cheating, and the collapse of intellectual formation • The revival of classical education nationwide • Whether this moment is a true renaissance In a time of cultural fragmentation and technological upheaval, this conversation asks a deeper question: What is education for?If the future of work is uncertain, perhaps the future belongs to those formed in wisdom, virtue, and first principles.   Subscribe for weekly conversations on Great Books and First Principles.   #ClassicalEducation #GreatBooks #LiberalArts #AI #EducationReform #CLT #ThomasAquinasCollege

Welcome to the official podcast of Thomas Aquinas College. Each week, senior members of the teaching faculty open a window into the intellectual life of the College through conversations rooted in the Great Books and the pursuit of first principles. Together, they explore the foundational questions that have shaped Western civilization. Grounded in the liberal arts tradition, the podcast invites listeners into the same kind of thoughtful, rigorous dialogue that defines the classroom experience. From ancient mathematics and astronomy to philosophy, theology, and modern science, each episode seeks to understand the truth of things by returning to first principles. Occasionally featuring guest scholars and educators, the show offers rich discussions on the Great Books, liberal education, and the enduring relevance of classical learning.New episodes air weekly. Subscribe and join the conversation.