Dr. Benjamin Smith
Co-founder, Catholic Studies Academy
A scholar of St. Thomas Aquinas’s political philosophy who led Meriwether Academy’s August 2026 dinner symposium on citizenship, virtue and the common good.
Watch His LectureCatholic Studies AcademyAbout Benjamin Smith
Dr. Benjamin Smith is an adjunct professor of philosophy at Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University. He holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s from the Catholic University of America, and a bachelor’s in philosophy and history from Belmont. His scholarship centers on the political philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas.
He is co-founder of the Catholic Studies Academy, writes the Logos Letter on Substack, and is the author of Understanding Modern Political Ideas: A Guidebook for Christians and Other Patriots.
A Republic of Virtue
In August 2026 Smith led Meriwether Academy’s dinner symposium A Republic of Virtue, on what Aristotle and Aquinas teach about politics, citizenship and the common good. He continued the conversation on episode 5 of the Meriwether Academy Podcast, on Thomas Aquinas’s philosophy for modern men.
Lectures and talks by Benjamin Smith
Dr. Smith’s symposium, lecture and podcast conversation with Meriwether Academy.
A Republic of Virtue
The work of Benjamin Smith
Study, read and subscribe beyond Meriwether.
Catholic Studies Academy
The academy Dr. Smith co-founded, offering flexible, affordable, college-level education in philosophy and theology.
Visit the Academy →The Logos Letter
Dr. Smith’s Substack on philosophy, politics and faith.
Subscribe on Substack →Understanding Modern Political Ideas
A guidebook for Christians and other patriots to the ideologies shaping modern politics.
Buy on Amazon →A Republic of Virtue, August 2026
Read more from Meriwether
About Dr. Benjamin Smith
Who is Benjamin Smith?
Dr. Benjamin Smith is a philosopher who teaches at Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University. He specializes in the political philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas and co-founded the Catholic Studies Academy.
What book did Benjamin Smith write?
He is the author of Understanding Modern Political Ideas: A Guidebook for Christians and Other Patriots.
What did Benjamin Smith speak about at Meriwether Academy?
In August 2026 he led A Republic of Virtue, a dinner symposium on Aristotle, Aquinas, citizenship and the common good. Watch the lecture.
What is the Logos Letter?
The Logos Letter is Dr. Smith’s Substack newsletter on philosophy, politics and faith.
Our board, advisors and speakers
The scholars, artists and leaders who have taught at Meriwether Academy in Nashville. Meet the whole fellowship.
Warren SteuryFounder & President
Col. Jim PattersonAdvisory Board
Dr. Mark AndersonAdvisory Board · Belmont University
Dr. Jason PediconeAdvisory Board · Paideia Institute
Dr. Alex PetkasAdvisory Board · The Cost of Glory
Justin ShubowNational Civic Art Society
Joe AllenAuthor of Dark Aeon
Sabin HowardSculptor, National WWI MemorialHear our next speaker in person
Meriwether Academy hosts dinner lectures with scholars and artists, a free weekly men’s book club, and wilderness expeditions across Tennessee.
See Upcoming EventsBrowse the Lecture Archive