The TAC Podcast

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, tutors Chris Decaen and John Finley examine Blaise Pascal's famous "Wager" from his Pensées. Rather than attempting a traditional rational proof for the existence of God, Pascal approaches belief through the lens of decision theory and probability—arguing that everyone is forced to bet their life one way or the other.

Join the discussion as we break down the logic behind the wager, Descartes' skeptical influence on Pascal, what it actually means to "bet your life," and whether approaching faith through pragmatic self-interest holds up under scrutiny.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Who was Blaise Pascal?

02:35 – Context of the Pensées and human fallenness

04:42 – Why a wager? Cartesian skepticism & the limits of reason

06:26 – The infinite number analogy & knowing God by natural reason

09:06 – Betting your life: The binary choice

14:14 – Why neutrality is impossible: "You are already committed"

17:18 – Breaking down the odds, stakes, and payout

21:14 – Finite stakes vs. infinite reward

26:15 – The lottery comparison & real-world certainty

27:42 – How living the Christian life changes belief naturally

30:15 – Taking small steps: The agnostic's prayer and holy water

34:43 – The cost of attachment: Passion vs. wisdom

36:27 – The four wager outcomes & eternal loss

38:52 – Does Pascal's wager actually work?

42:50 – Self-interest and cost-benefit critiques (Dershowitz & the Gospels)

45:30 – How youth vs. age changes your perspective on the bet

46:54 – Conclusion and wrap-up

Can reason alone show that God exists? In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we break down St. Thomas Aquinas's famous Fifth Way from the Summa Theologiae—often called the argument from governance or design. We explore why non-intelligent natural beings consistently act toward purposeful ends, why pure chance falls short, and what the analogy of the archer and arrow reveals about order in our universe. We also look at how Aquinas's approach differs from modern intelligent design theories, and how he tackles the two biggest objections to God's existence: the problem of evil and the idea that natural science makes God unnecessary.

Chapters

00:00 - Overview of Aquinas's Five Ways

01:05 - Quick summary of the first four proofs

02:00 - Introducing the Fifth Way: Governance of the world

03:54 - Reading the text of the Fifth Way

04:42 - How natural bodies act for an end

09:23 - Honeybees, hexagons, and natural efficiency

12:17 - Why constancy points beyond pure chance

14:44 - The analogy of the archer and the arrow

17:25 - The footprint of intelligence across nature

22:05 - Purpose in biological organs and functions

25:50 - God as the governor and director of creation

28:00 - Aquinas's Fifth Way vs. modern intelligent design

34:35 - Two classic objections to God's existence

35:26 - Objection 1: The problem of evil

36:22 - Objection 2: Is God superfluous to science?

40:17 - Science vs. philosophy: Why causes go deeper

44:30 - How infinite goodness brings good out of evil

48:26 - Wrap-up & upcoming episodes

Dr. Tim Reichert, founder and co-CEO of STAPLE Investments and PhD economist, joins the podcast to discuss his essay on "Christian Ownership Maximalism." We dive deep into why owning the means of production is essential for restoring Christian culture, the differences between authority and raw power, the economic foundation of human freedom, and how artificial intelligence poses unprecedented challenges to human labor and agency.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction & the cultural power of ownership

01:14 - Authority vs. power: why Marx understood control

04:50 - What is Christian ownership maximalism?

06:46 - Defining property: scholastic roots and divine providence

09:15 - Aristotle, the common good, and the tragedy of the commons

12:12 - Why corporate power drives modern cultural decay

15:47 - Is business ownership a Christian duty?

18:02 - Reclaiming agency and breaking systemic dependence

23:14 - Distributism and the history of wide asset ownership in America

25:22 - STAPLE Investments: long-term equity and supporting the Church

29:38 - AI, large language models, and the nature of human intellect

36:24 - Power without wisdom: the threat of unrestrained tech

40:24 - The economic fallout of AI on labor and meaningful work

44:30 - Why UBI is slavery: advocating for distributism in an AI world

50:18 - Critiquing the AI arms race with China

55:26 - Closing thoughts

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we turn our attention to Sacred Scripture for the first time, beginning with one of the most enigmatic and brooding books of the Bible: Ecclesiastes. Often attributed to King Solomon looking back late in life, the text confronts the reader with a stark, uncompromising examination of human existence: "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." From the relentless cycles of the natural cosmos to the pursuit of wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and honor, Qoheleth (the Preacher) tests every earthly candidate for happiness and finds them all fleeting—like a mere breath. Join us as we explore why Ecclesiastes offers an unvarnished reflection on human mortality, the ache for eternity placed within our hearts, and why its sober realism serves as the essential doorway to the rest of Biblical revelation.

Timestamps & Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: Approaching Scripture & Ecclesiastes

01:10 - What Does "Vanity of Vanities" (Hevel) Really Mean?

03:50 - "Nothing New Under the Sun": The Weariness of Nature's Cycles

08:05 - The Pursuit of Wisdom and the Sorrow of Knowledge

11:13 - Eternity in Man's Heart & the Concealed Work of God

15:15 - A Believer's Despair: Honest Faith vs. Tidied Answers

17:30 - St. Jerome's Reading: Solomon's Regret and Broken Pursuits

20:15 - Modern Hedonism vs. Ancient Desolation

23:25 - Aristotle, Riches, and the Narrative of Inevitable Limits

25:27 - Mortality as the Great Equalizer: Death and Forgotten Legacies

27:16 - "A Time for Everything": Comforting Song or Cosmic Tragedy?

31:17 - Children, Family, and Generational Futility (Ecclesiastes 6 & 9)

35:07 - Resignation or Waiting? Faith in an Unknown Plan

40:22 - The Conclusion of the Matter: "Fear God and Keep His Commandments"

44:32 - Ecclesiastes as a "Goad": Why TAC Freshmen Begin with Qoheleth

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Learn more about Thomas Aquinas College at https://thomasaquinas.edu

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we explore Miguel de Cervantes' masterpiece, Don Quixote. Why does a 17th-century novel feel startlingly modern — even postmodern — in its treatment of identity, self-consciousness, and public perception? We examine how Quixote constructs an identity for the gaze of others, the strange meta-narrative of Part Two, and the parallels between Cervantes' world of chivalric romances and our own immersion in social media, curated personas, and screen culture. Finally, we look at the dynamic between Quixote and Sancho Panza, and what Quixote's poignant ending says about noble ideals in an unheroic world.

00:00 - The Modern Problem of Image and Perception

02:03 - The Meta-Narrator: Cide Hamete Benengeli

05:07 - Being Observed: Don Quixote in Part Two

09:06 - Books of Chivalry and Media Saturation

13:12 - Curating Personas: Social Media vs. Reality

16:00 - The Duke and Duchess: Cruelty and Manipulation

20:00 - Moral Conscience vs. Living for an Audience

24:00 - History, Bias, and the Medium

27:16 - Why We Love Quixote: Nobility vs. Buffoonery

34:33 - The Cave of Montesinos and Seeking Validation

37:40 - Sancho Panza: The Grounded Observer

44:48 - Becoming What You Behold

48:00 - Sancho's Growth and Governance

50:08 - The Deathbed Renunciation: Tragedy or Humility?

56:56 - Ideals vs. Trappings in Modern Culture

In this episode of The TAC Podcast, we dive into Niccolò Machiavelli's classic and controversial political treatise, The Prince. Specifically, we unpack his famous assertion in Chapter 15 that a prince must "learn to be able not to be good" when necessity demands it. Is Machiavelli endorsing moral evil as an end, or is he laying out a cold, pragmatic toolbox for political survival? We explore his concept of the "effectual truth," examine historical examples like Cesare Borgia and Remirro de Orco, and contrast Machiavelli's realism with the classical ideals of Plato and St. Thomas Aquinas. Along the way, we ask: Can a Machiavellian ruler ever have genuine friends, and why does this ruthless philosophy continue to fascinate us today?

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction: Reading Machiavelli's The Prince

01:37 – Necessary Evils: Maintaining Political Power

02:50 – The Godfather Analogy & Suspending Morality

05:01 – Cesare Borgia & The Calculated Use of Cruelty

09:14 – The Machiavellian Prince vs. Plato's Tyrant

12:40 – "The Effectual Truth" vs. Imagined Republics

18:50 – Keeping Faith: The Fox, the Lion, and Entering Evil

24:48 – Machiavelli's Critique of Christian Morality

29:18 – Machiavelli vs. St. Thomas Aquinas on Kingship

31:13 – Good Arms vs. Good Laws

33:51 – What Makes Machiavelli Unique? The Science of Politics

38:58 – Can a Machiavellian Leader Have Real Friends?

40:17 – The Enduring Appeal of Machiavellian Cunning

44:52 – Conclusion & Wrap-Up

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