Scientists discover animals sentient; Aquinas knew already

Last updated on: April 20, 2024 at 7:04 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

From an article entitled, ” Scientists push new paradigm of animal consciousness, saying even insects may be sentient:” Nearly 40 researchers signed “The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness,” which was first presented at a conference at New York University on Friday morning. It marks a pivotal moment, as a flood of research on animal cognition collides with debates over how various species ought to be treated. The declaration says there is “strong scientific support” that birds and mammals have... Read more

Letter to incoming students from Stanford prez & provost

Last updated on: April 18, 2024 at 11:17 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

0 Comments

Just saw this over at the Volokh Conspiracy: Dear XXX, Congratulations on earning a place in Stanford University’s Class of 2028! This is a moment to celebrate the hard work and determination that have brought you to this moment, and also to reflect on the next stage of your education. Amid all the challenging and polarizing issues being discussed in the world right now, you may be wondering what kind of intellectual community you would be joining at Stanford. And... Read more

Never Doubt Thomas focus of CRCD’s Reading Wheel Review.

Last updated on: March 31, 2024 at 4:23 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

0 Comments

What an honor it is to have my book, Never Doubt Thomas: The Catholic Aquinas as Protestant and Evangelical (Baylor University Press), singled out by the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy (CRDC) as a Significant Book in its Reading Wheel Review. The issue devoted to my book consists of A podcast interview of me by First Liberty Institute attorney, Trey Dimsdale. An related essay authored by Elizabeth Rain Kincaid, the Legendre-Soulé Chair in Business Ethics & Director of the... Read more

What’s Wrong with Moral Relativism?

Last updated on: March 2, 2024 at 11:52 am By Francis J. Beckwith

0 Comments

I’m a regular speaker for the Thomistic Institute, an academic institute of the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies (DHS) in Washington, D.C. According to its website, “The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.” There are nearly 90 TI... Read more

Interview on Word on Fire’s Evangelization & Culture Podcast

Last updated on: January 30, 2024 at 9:42 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

0 Comments

I’m happy to report that I was recently a guest on the Word on Fire’s Evangelization and Culture podcast, hosted by Dr. Tod Worner. About a week ago the interview was released on Youtube. The topic of our discussion was my recent article, “Re-Version,” published in Word on Fire’s journal, Evangelization and Culture. (You can read more about my article here). Read more

“Re-Version” In new issue of Evangelization & Culture

Last updated on: January 30, 2024 at 9:32 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

0 Comments

I am delighted to announce that I have a new article in the latest issue of Evangelization and Culture (vol. 18), published by Word on Fire. Entitled “Re-Version,” it is one of several pieces on coversion and Catholicism that appears in the issue. My article is a brief reflection on my return to the Catholic Church and the factors that drew back to the Barque of Peter. Here’s how it begins: Reverts to the Catholic Church are an unusual breed.... Read more

Murder Most Foul: Bob Dylan’s Song on the Kennedy Assassination

Last updated on: November 22, 2023 at 11:20 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

0 Comments

Today, November 22, 2023, marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963). Three years ago, Bob Dylan (1941- ), in the midst of the pandemic, released a haunting 17 minute song about JFK’s murder. Entitled “Murder Most Foul,” Dylan not only vividly describes the assassination and the cast of characters that surrounded it, he takes us on a whirlwind historical tour of American popular culture that followed the president’s death. (You can find the... Read more

St. Thomas Aquinas on Gratitude

Last updated on: November 22, 2023 at 11:09 pm By Francis J. Beckwith

0 Comments

As we in the United States approach Thanksgiving, we should cultivate in our souls the virtue of gratitude. To this end, I recommend these words from St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), excerpted from the Summa Theologiae (II.Q106): Thanksgiving [gratiarum actio] in the recipient corresponds to the favor [gratia] of the giver: so that when there is greater favor on the part of the giver, greater thanks are due on the part of the recipient. Now a favor is something bestowed “gratis”:... Read more