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The Leaky Ship of Metaphysics | Angelicum Conversation With Fr. Philip-Neri Reese

Angelicum Conversations

In this episode of Angelicum Conversations, Fr. Adrian Patrick McCaffery, O.P. speaks with Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, O.P. about his new book: "Aquinas on Metaphysics as a Science".As we trace the history of metaphysics, beginning with Aristotle and engaging with Hume's famous challenge that scholastic metaphysics deserves to be committed to the flames as well as with contemporary thought, one wonders whether there truly is a metaphysics that meets even the most rigorous standards of Aristotelian episteme without giving everything away. Fr. Reese examines, inspired by Hume’s clarion call, the history of metaphysics and its development. What is metaphysics? Throughout history, has it met Aristotelian standards to be considered a true science, or does a new problem arise at every turn? In attempting to answer these questions, the discussion becomes an opportunity not only to discuss metaphysics but also to explore methodology and the study of philosophy in its entirety. The discussion explores:- Hume's Challenge: Why the call to dismiss metaphysics still resonates among contemporary scientists and philosophers.- The Leaky Hull Problem: How Aristotle's ambiguous theory of being created a recurring crisis for metaphysicians from Al-Farabi to Avicenna.- Aquinas's Solution: How he reconciles rigorous Aristotelian science, subject matter, properties, and principles, with the study of being itself.- The Properties of Being: A provocative re-reading of Aquinas, challenging the long-standing identification of the transcendentals (one, true, good) as the properties of being.- Three Kinds of Questions: Distinguishing exegetical, systematic, and speculative approaches to reading any philosopher.- Analytic Thomism: What the term really means, and how it differs from contemporary engagement with the Thomistic tradition.- Advice for Young Scholars: Why learning Latin, paleography, and engaging the understudied commentatorial tradition remain essential. 👉 Full transcript & show notes: https://media.angelicum.it/online-series/angelicum-conversations/episode-9-the-leaky-ship-of-metaphysics/📖 Angelicum Conversations is a new interview series from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome. Each episode features thoughtful dialogue on theology, philosophy, and culture—conversations that reflect the Angelicum’s mission of serving the Church through study, contemplation, and teaching. 👉 Explore more episodes in the Angelicum Conversations series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnbhx2jnZ5Dd28o4qDsJVCldPx0C88zb4 🎥 Check out the Angelicum's new video series on Catholic Social Teaching: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnbhx2jnZ5DeWHdT4MNq_UAY0ChkgM-wo 🎓 Learn more about the Angelicum: https://angelicum.it/ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Hume's Challenge: Why Metaphysics Still Matters 4:50 The Leaky Hull: Aristotle's Posterior Analytics and the Problem of Scientia 10:47 Al-Farabi and Avicenna: A History of Leaks 14:15 How Aquinas Finally Sealed the Hull 14:21 The Transcendentals: What Are the Real Properties of Being? 15:00 Three Kinds of Questions: Exegetical, Systematic, and Speculative 24:50 History of Philosophy vs. Philosophy: A False Divide? 29:42 What Is Analytic Thomism? 33:52 Bridging Thomism and Analytic Philosophy: A Conversation Across Traditions 37:44 Advice for Young Catholic Philosophers: Start with Latin 41:54 Must Thomists Study the Whole Thomistic Tradition? 47:52 Verdict: Does Aquinas's Ship Still Float? 50:26 Closing Remarks