Liam McDonnell (Blackfriars), ‘On Studying Aquinas in an Aquinas-like Manner’ Beginning in the twelfth century, scholastic theologians started to write in a new genre: the summa. The stated intention behind the creation of the summa was, in the words of Hugh of St Victor, to furnish a unified account of 'all theology' in one book. This newly...
Fr Joseph LaracY (Seton Hall University), ‘Ontological, Anthropological, and Ethical Reflections on Artificial Intelligence in a Thomistic Key’ This lecture offers a Thomistic retrieval of perennial metaphysical and moral insights for contemporary reflection on artificial intelligence. Drawing on Thomas Aquinas and modern Neo-Thomist interlocutors such as Stanley Jaki, OSB, it considers ontological questions concerning the...
You are warmly invited to join the Oxford Dominican Community for a Requiem Mass for Fr Fergus, who passed away in Edinburgh on Sunday, 23rd November. The reception after the Mass will include a screening of the beautiful 1-hour film Becoming Dominic, about the commissioning and making of a new statue of St Dominic for the...
Blackfriars staff, Fellows, teachers, lectors, and friends are warmly invited (& feel free to bring a guest) to our: ADVENT CAROL SERVICE & DRINKS RECEPTION 7pm - Carol Service, followed by Reception in the Aula (start: 7:45pm approx.) If you are unable to make both the Carol Service and Reception, you are most welcome to attend whichever one can make. The Carol Service and Drinks Reception...
In this presentation, I comparatively analyze traditional indirect means of moral enhancement, such as moral education within families and wider societies, with direct biotechnological means that affect a moral agent’s cognitive and emotive capacities. I raise several concerns with the latter and call for enhancing traditional methods of moral education. Nevertheless, certain methods of bioenhancement...
In this presentation, I critique transhumanism, which denies any objective account of human nature and flourishing in favour of “morphological freedom” to reshape ourselves in any way one chooses so long as it does not harm others. I also critique those who reject any non-therapeutic interventions that could alter allegedly definitive qualities of human nature....
On Monday 24th November, the Oxford Thomistic Institute will be hosting Fr Reginald Lynch OP, of the Dominican House of Studies (DHS) in Washington DC, to speak on Eucharist and Growth in Holiness. The lecture will begin at 7.30pm in the Aula at Blackfriars, and will be followed by refreshments. All are welcome. About the...
On Monday 17th November, the Oxford Thomistic Institute will be hosting Sr Catherine Joseph Droste OP, of the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), to speak on Virtue and Self-Knowledge in St Catherine of Sienna. The lecture will begin at 7.30pm in the Aula at Blackfriars, and will be followed by refreshments. All are...
How can we better promote healthy living and ageing inspired by a Catholic approach to health, healthcare, and social life? This conference seeks to answer this vital question by discussing good examples from current practice. Convened by Sr Margaret Atkins and Rev Dr Richard Finn O.P., the conference will be held on the 8th of November from...
On Tuesday 4th November, the Oxford Thomistic Institute will be hosting Fr Anton ten Klooster, of Tilburg University, who will be delivering a seminar on St Thomas Aquinas on the New Law. Spaces are limited for this seminar. For more information or to reserve a place, contact Br Reginald Herbert OP. Abstract In this seminar,...