May 28-30, 2025, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Philosophy
St. Thomas Aquinas had brilliant ideas, which contributed to both theology and philosophy. However, an important part of his success as a theologian and philosopher which can be easily overlooked was his effective planning. In order to gain truth and present it to the readers or listeners (according to the Dominican motto: contemplata aliis tradere), it is essential to know how to do that. Aquinas’s investigations and presentations are always ordered according to certain patterns and governed by ideas, which he often explains. They also follow clear methodological frameworks.
In the 800th anniversary of his birthday, we would like to focus on strategies he adopts in different types of his production and methods he applies both as a theologian and as a philosopher. We are going to examine the importance and the consequences of such choices, as well as their motivations and inspirations. We will include both those strategies and methods which are explicitly mentioned by Thomas and those which can be traced back. This will enable us to create a picture of Aquinas as a scholar who cared about the correct ways of thinking and scientific procedures.
We are going to analyse Aquinas’s:
- patterns of work composition,
- exegetical techniques,
- hermeneutical strategies,
- methodology of sciences (including metaphysics, theology, natural sciences),
- ways of argumentation and argumentative strategies,
- use of logic,
- analytical approach,
- other similar aspects of his work.
Confirmed Keynotes
- Eleonore Stump (Saint Louis University) – online lecture,
- Constant Mews (Monash University, Melbourne),
- Harm Goris (Tilburg University),
- Timothy Bellamah (Leonine Commission, Pontifical Faculty at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington D. C).
Academic Committee
- Harm Goris (Tilburg University) – president
- Krystyna Krauze-Błachowicz (University of Warsaw)
- Enrique Alarcon (University of Navarra)
- Adam Górniak (University of Warsaw)
- Therese Cory (University of Notre Dame)
- Rudi te Velde (Tilburg University)
Submission
The conference will be in person only. We also invite all scholars to submit scholarly articles for future journal proceedings.
Papers should be in English. Exceptionally, it is also possible to present in Polish (the session in Polish will be held on the first day of the conference: 28 May).
Please submit the abstracts (800-2000 characters or 120-300 words) using the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScqIxobsXNFC4CiTD8nKnJShJNquYxxEUBMvqVkMSWUKl7YLQ/viewform?usp=sharing
Deadline for abstract submission: March 15, 2025.
However, we encourage you to submit your abstracts earlier.
Notification: by March 20, 2025.
Venue
The conference will be held at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Warsaw, which is located in the charming historical part of Warsaw at 3 Krakowskie Przedmiescie Str., in a wonderful area, which in May is full of green and blooming flowers.
Conference Fees
Accepted regular participants who present papers and participants without papers who wish to accompany them during meals will be asked to issue a conference fee:
- 100 EUR (or 400 PLN) for scholars employed by the universities or research institutions and independent scholars,
- 50 EUR (or 200 PLN) for students, PhD students and retired professors.
The fees will cover the costs of materials and meals (coffee breaks, lunches, dinners).
Working Framework Programme
WEDNESDAY (May 28)
- 11:00-11:20 – REGISTRATION and coffee
- 11:20-11:30 – OPENING
- 11:30-13:30 – session 1 (in Polish)
- 13:30-15:00 – lunch break
- 15:00-16:30 – session 2
- 16:30-17:00 – coffee break
- 17:00-18:00 – KEYNOTE 1
THURSDAY (May 29)
- 10:00-11:00 – KEYNOTE 2
- 11:00-11:30 – coffee break
- 11:30-13:00/13:30 – session 3
- 13:00/13:30-15:00 – lunch break
- 15:00-16:30 – session 4
- 16:30-17:00 – coffee break
- 17:00-18:00 – KEYNOTE 3
- 19:00 – Dinner
FRIDAY (May 30)
- 10:00-11:00 – KEYNOTE 4
- 11:00-11:30 – coffee break
- 11:30-13:00/13:30 – session 5
- 13:00/13:30-15:00 – lunch break
- 15:00-16:30/17:15 – session 6
- CONCLUSION
Institutional Organisers
The conference will be organised by the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Warsaw, and co-organised by the Faculty of Theology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, in collaboration with partners, including the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology and IGTM – International Society for the Study of Medieval Theology.
Contact
If you have any questions about the conference please contact the main organisers:
Marcin Trepczyński (m.trepczynski@uw.edu.pl) and Piotr Roszak (piotrroszak@umk.pl).
