Academic Retreat: Aristotle’s De Anima
An Academic Retreat at the Kingfisher Center in Austin, Texas, led by John Finley, Phd, Associate Tutor at Thomas Aquinas College (CA).
About the Leader
Dr. John Finley currently serves as a tutor at Thomas Aquinas College. Dr. Finley has also served Professor of Philosophy at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis and was the Academic Director of the Valor Institute from 2022-2023.
He has authored several publications on philosophical anthropology, metaphysics, phenomenology, and Ancient and Medieval philosophy and is a member of the Aquinas Institute of Blackfriars Hall at the University of Oxford. Dr. Finley received his masters and doctorate in philosophy from the University of Dallas and his Bachelor of Arts from Thomas Aquinas College. In 2016 he was awarded a grant from the John Templeton Foundation to pursue collaborative research on the human person from the standpoints of science, medicine, philosophy, and theology, which culminated in Sexual Identity, published by Emmaus Road.
About the Text
One of Aristotle’s major and foundational treatises, De Anima is among the most influential works in classical philosophy.
The retreat is open to anyone who wishes to join others and reason together as friends, including especially
Graduate students
University professors
Teachers, educators, and school leaders
Natural scientists
Anyone with an appreciation for classical education
Important Details
Travel: participants are expected to pay for their own travel to and from the retreat. We recommend flying into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and arriving at the Kingfisher Center at least an hour before the event begins.
Cost: $1200
Academic Retreats are offered free of charge to Valor Education faculty and staff.
Scholarship: we ask all applicants to pursue funding sources through their home institution. The Valor Institute also has scholarship money available. To apply, please email Joel VanDerworp with a letter of recommendation along with your retreat application.
Sponsorship: the Valor Institute is looking for partners to join us in expanding our retreat offerings. Click here to learn more about how you can support the Valor Institute.