Events
What is a Form and How Do We Understand It?
Spring 2026 Thomistic Circles Conference
When:
February 20 | 2:30 PM - February 21, 2026 | 5:30 PM EST
Location:
Dominican House of Studies | Washington, DC
A two-day conference that examines the subject of form, especially from the perspectives of St. Thomas Aquinas and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The Thomistic Circles conference “What Is a Form and How Do We Understand It? Thomistic versus Goethean Perspectives” is free and open to the public.
Featuring:
Prof. Michael Augros (Thomas Aquinas College, New England)
Prof. Marie George (St. John’s University)
Dr. Gregory Rupik (University of St. Michael's College)
Dr. Craig Holdrege (The Nature Institute)
Prof. David C. Schindler (Pontifical John Paul II Institute)
Each session concludes with time for Q&A. Light refreshments, including snacks and coffee, will be served between the lectures.
Graduate Seminar:
We are please to offer a graduate seminar for current graduate and advanced undergraduate students concurrent with the Thomistic Circles Conference.
Conference Schedule:
Friday, February 20
2:30 - 3:30 PM Introduction to the Concept of Form in Aquinas
Prof. Michael Augros | Thomas Aquinas College, New England
4:00 - 5:00 PM What the Giraffe can Teach us About Form (and Much More)
Dr. Craig Holdrege | The Nature Institute
Saturday, February 21
10:30-11:30 AM Thomists and Goetheans on Form: A Difference of Substance
Prof. Marie George | St. John's University
1:15-2:15 PM The Dance of Metamorphosis: Goethe's Participatory Science of Transformation
Dr. Gregory Rupik | University of St. Michael's College
2:45-3:45 PM Living Form: Balthasar, Goethe, and Thomas Aquinas
Prof. David Schindler | Pontifical John Paul II Institute
4:00 - 5:00 PM Quodlibetal
Photos from past events:
Click on each to view more.
