Thomas Aquinas workshop scheduled for June

Mount Saint Mary College

The third annual Thomas Aquinas Philosophy Workshop, “Free Will and Moral Virtue,” will take place June 13–16 at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York.

Sponsored by the Mount’s Catholic and Dominican Institute and the Thomistic Institute of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, the workshop will explore the nature of human freedom according to St. Thomas Aquinas of the 13th century. Scholars will discern whether his analysis is defensible today, and help us to understand the ethical character of human actions and the virtues and vices that constitute moral life.

The first day of the conference will be devoted to graduate students, in philosophy or adjacent disciplines. The second and third days will combine presentations by philosophers with times for discussion and debate.

Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, as well as opportunities for informal recreation, will be offered each day.

Required texts for this event are “Summa Theologiae” by Thomas Aquinas, “The Sources of Christian Ethics” by Servais Pinckaers, and “Ethica Thomistica” by Ralph McInerny.

Speaking at the event are Fr. James Brent, OP, of the Catholic University of America; Alfred Freddoso, of the University of Notre Dame; Michael Gorman, of the Catholic University of America; John O’Callaghan, of the University of Notre Dame; Candace Vogler, of the University of Chicago; Fr. Michael Sherwin, OP, of the University of Fribourg; Jennifer Frey, of the University of Chicago; and Russell Hittinger, of the University of Tulsa.

The Catholic and Dominican Institute promotes the Mount’s heritage of St. Dominic; advances the Dominican charism of study and service; provides a forum for discussion of contemporary ethical issues; and enhances Catholic and Jewish dialogue. Guided by the college’s vision and mission statement, the institute welcomes persons of varied faiths and acknowledges different religious traditions as essential to the college’s intellectual and spiritual life. The Institute is directed by Charles Zola, assistant professor of philosophy.

Space for this workshop is limited. The registration deadline is April 30. To register or for more information, visit www.msmc.edu.

For more information, call 845-569-3467.