The Traditional and Natural Order of Studies #

Dr. Berquist’s approach to Thomism follows the methodologies taught at institutions such as Université Laval in Québec and by Dominican scholars of the “River Forest” school in the United States. These traditions emphasize a more natural and methodologically sound sequence of studies than many modern approaches.

Rather than beginning with metaphysics or theology—as some modern manuals do—this curriculum insists on a careful, systematic progression through the philosophical disciplines, following the natural order by which human knowledge develops. This pedagogical approach recognizes that we must build upon foundations before ascending to higher sciences, proceeding from what is more knowable to us toward what is more knowable in itself.

The sequence mirrors the natural development of human understanding: we begin with the tools of thought (logic), proceed to understand the material world through our senses (natural philosophy and psychology), examine human action and virtue (ethics), and only then ascend to the study of being as such (metaphysics) before culminating in sacred theology. Each course prepares the mind for what follows, ensuring that students develop genuine philosophical insight rather than mere facility with terminology.

The Fourteen Courses #

1. Introduction to Philosophy & Logic (1999) – Foundational exploration of wisdom’s nature and the essential tools of reasoning: definition, division, and syllogistic demonstration
2. Logic (2016) – Comprehensive treatment of Aristotelian logic, from the three acts of reason through categories, syllogistic forms, and dialectical reasoning
3. Natural Hearing (Natural Philosophy) – Understanding the physical world, motion, causality, and the principles of nature through Aristotle’s Physics
4. De Anima – Philosophical psychology: the nature of the soul, its powers, and the operations of sensation, imagination, and intellect
5. Love & Friendship – The philosophical understanding of love as passion and choice, and friendship as essential to human flourishing
6. Ethics – Moral philosophy: virtue, happiness, and the ultimate good for human beings
7. Wisdom (Metaphysics) – The study of being as being, substance and accident, act and potency, leading to knowledge of God as first cause
8. Sacred Scripture – Theological introduction examining how Scripture guides us toward eternal life and the systematic structure of revelation
9. Theology: Prima Pars – God’s nature, the Trinity, divine attributes, and the processions of the divine persons
10. Theology: Prima Secundae – Human acts, happiness, virtue, law, grace, and the principles of moral theology
11. Theology: Secunda Secundae – The theological and moral virtues in detail, particularly faith, hope, and charity
12. Theology: Tertia Pars – The Incarnation, Christ’s life and work, the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension
13. Theology: Alia – Additional theological and philosophical topics

Course Materials #

Each course in the sequence includes:

• Lecture Recordings – Full audio of Dr. Berquist’s teaching (available for all courses)
• Transcripts – Written transcripts of lectures (available for select courses)
• Lecture Summaries – Detailed descriptions of each lecture’s content
• Handouts – PDF files containing diagrams, outlines, and study materials (being compiled and organized)
• Primary Source Readings – References to philosophical and theological texts (being compiled and organized)
• Recommended Resources – Supplementary materials and further reading suggestions (available, with expansions planned)

Approach to Learning #

This curriculum demands serious engagement and rewards patient study. Here are essential principles for approaching these materials:

1. Take Your Time – Philosophy Requires Genuine Thinking #

In philosophy, you receive what you invest. These subjects cannot be mastered through memorization or passive listening. You must wrestle with the concepts, question your understanding, and strive to see the truths for yourself rather than simply accepting statements on authority. Philosophical wisdom develops slowly, through repeated engagement with fundamental principles and their applications.

Expect to revisit lectures, pause to reflect on arguments, and spend time thinking through objections and responses. The natural progression of understanding moves from confused to distinct knowledge—from grasping something vaguely to comprehending it clearly through its causes and principles.

2. Engage with Primary Sources #

While Dr. Berquist’s lectures provide expert guidance through these philosophical territories, genuine understanding requires direct engagement with the great works themselves. Read Plato’s dialogues, Aristotle’s treatises, and St. Thomas Aquinas’s writings as relevant to each course. The lectures are designed to illuminate these texts, not replace them.

The primary source readings (currently being compiled) will indicate which specific texts to study alongside each lecture series. These readings transform the lectures from mere instruction into true philosophical dialogue.

3. Utilize Handouts and Study Materials #

The handouts created by Dr. Berquist—currently being organized for publication—contain diagrams, outlines, and study aids that reinforce and clarify key concepts. These materials are designed to help students visualize logical structures, trace arguments, and see the relationships between different philosophical principles.

4. Engage in Discussion and Community #

Philosophy flourishes in dialogue. Discuss these lectures with others whenever possible—whether fellow students, teachers, or friends interested in these questions. Articulating concepts in your own words, defending positions, and responding to objections deepens understanding in ways that solitary study cannot achieve. The act of teaching others often reveals what we truly understand and what remains unclear.