Last Feburary 11, the Maritain Student Fellows began the spring 2026 Maritain Fellows Lectures series, by hosting Prof. Jason T. Eberl (St. Louis University). Prof. Eberl spoke on the topic of ensoulment. His lecture, "When Does Life Begin? Thomis vs. Dualist Perspectives," canvassed a wide range of historical positions on the relationship between the soul and body, as well as embryology in ancient and modern science. Putting Thomistic hylomorphism in conversation with modern science, Eberl demonstrated how Aquinas's philosophy can help support that the life of the human person begins at conception.
The lecture was well received by attendees and featured in an article from The Irish Rover, Notre Dame's Catholic newspaper. We are also pleased to announce that a video of the lecture is available on our new Maritain Center Videos page, here.