The Thomistic Institute

Applying Thomas Aquinas’s hierarchy of goods to the modern "looksmaxxing" trend, Prof. Catherine Peters critiques the elevation of physical attractiveness to an ultimate end, arguing that true human flourishing requires cultivating virtue rather than aesthetic optimization.

This lecture was given on September 24th, 2026, at University of Michigan.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Catherine Peters is an associate professor of medieval philosophy at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Her work centers on issues of philosophical anthropology, metaphysics, and natural theology. She is passionate about translating medieval thought into modern terms and applying its insights to perennial questions such as “Who am I?” “What should I do?” and “Is there a God?” A frequent presenter in both the United States and Europe, her scholarship has been published in numerous volumes and journals, including The Thomist, New Blackfriars, National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, The Journal of Islamic Philosophy, European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas, Lex Naturalis, and Jesuit Higher Education. When not in the classroom, she can often be found in local coffee shops, at the dog park, or in a HIIT class.

This project/publication was made possible through the support of Grant 63391 from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.

Keywords: Looksmaxxing, Thomas Aquinas, Human Flourishing, Thomistic Philosophy, Hierarchy Of Goods, Perfection, Self-Image, Physical Attraction, Virtue Ethics, Philosophical Anthropology

Dr. Peter Kreeft explores the profound parallels and radical distinctions between Socrates and Jesus, examining how these two figures fundamentally shaped the course of human history and the Catholic intellectual tradition.

This lecture was given on September 21st, 2026, at Brown University.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Peter Kreeft, PhD, serves as Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, where he has taught since 1965.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Dr. Kreeft completed his undergraduate studies at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before pursuing graduate studies at Fordham University in the Bronx, earning an MA (1961) and PhD (1965). Dr. Kreeft taught at Villanova University from 1962 to 1965, and has taught courses at numerous academic institutions, including Fordham University, The King's College (New York City), St. Charles Seminary, and Our Lady of Grace Seminary. Dr. Kreeft is a sought-after speaker who has taught, lectured, and written topics as varied as classical philosophy, the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, virtue, and surfing. He has written over 80 books, including A Summa of the Summa, Socratic Logic, and Back to Virtue.

This project/publication was made possible through the support of Grant 63391 from the John Templeton Foundation. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.

Keywords: Socrates, Jesus, Philosophy And Theology, Socratic Method, Christian Apologetics, History Of Philosophy, Martyrdom, Faith And Reason

Emphasizing that suffering is not inherently good, Prof. Bruce Marshall explains how uniting our personal griefs to Christ's redemptive sacrifice during the Eucharist transforms pain into a path of divine intimacy and resurrection hope.

This lecture was given on October 3rd, 2026, at Dominican House of Studies.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Bruce D. Marshall is Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine at Southern Methodist University, and in 2023 he held the Aquinas Chair in the Thomistic Institute at the Angelicum in Rome. He is the author of Trinity and Truth and Christology in Conflict, and at present he is completing a book entitled The Primacy of Christ: Faith, Reason, and the Cross. Marshall has written extensively on the doctrines of the Trinity, the person and redemptive work of Christ, the Eucharist, the Catholic Church and non-Christian religions, and the relationship between faith and reason. He received his B.A. from Northwestern University and his Ph.D. from Yale University, and is a past President of the Academy of Catholic Theology.

Keywords: Suffering, Passion, Prayer, Despair, Resurrection, Theology Of The Cross, Sacred Heart Of Jesus, Eucharist, Contemplation, Redemptive Suffering, Redemption, Saint Paul, Christian Joy

Fr. Isaac Augustine Morales, O.P. examines the Johannine theology of glory, arguing that the cross, as the definitive revelation of God's presence, calls believers to participate in its mystery through humble service and love.

This lecture was given on October 3rd, 2026, at Dominican House of Studies.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Fr. Isaac Morales, O.P. is associate professor of theology at Providence College. Before joining the Dominican Order, he received an MTS in biblical studies from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in New Testament from Duke University. He is the author of The Bible and Baptism: The Fountain of Salvation (Baker Academic Press) and a forthcoming book on eschatology titled The Life of the World to Come: Seeing God, Resurrection, and the Christian Hope. He also regularly teaches a course on the life and writings of C. S. Lewis.

Keywords: Gospel Of John, Divinity, Glory, Theology Of The Cross, Revelation, Johannine Theology, Sacred Scripture, Mystical Theology

Highlighting structural parallels in the Gospel of Mark, Fr. Isaac Augustine Morales, O.P., demonstrates how Jesus redefines messianic identity and the title "Son of God" through self-giving love and solidarity with the suffering rather than worldly domination.

This lecture was given on October 2nd, 2026, at Dominican House of Studies.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events

About the Speaker:

Fr. Isaac Morales, O.P. is associate professor of theology at Providence College. Before joining the Dominican Order, he received an MTS in biblical studies from the University of Notre Dame and a PhD in New Testament from Duke University. He is the author of The Bible and Baptism: The Fountain of Salvation (Baker Academic Press) and a forthcoming book on eschatology titled The Life of the World to Come: Seeing God, Resurrection, and the Christian Hope. He also regularly teaches a course on the life and writings of C. S. Lewis.

Keywords: Gospel Of Mark, Theology Of The Cross, Son Of God, Bible, Biblical Scholarship, Passion Narrative, Messianic Secret, Christian Solidarity, Solidarity, Love, Dei Verbum