Philosophy (reading) group Rotterdam: split self and the suffering soul & byob

Published in 1846 shortly after Dostoevsky's successful debut Poor Folk, The Double (De dubbelganger) is a psychological masterpiece that lays the groundwork for Dostoevsky’s later philosophical explorations.
The story follows Yakov Petrovich Golyadkin, a low-ranking bureaucrat in St. Petersburg whose fragile sense of self unravels when he meets a man who looks and shares his exact name—yet possesses all the confidence, social charm, and ruthlessness that Golyadkin lacks. As his doppelgänger systematically usurps his career and social standing, Golyadkin is plunged into a nightmare of paranoia and identity collapse.
Core Philosophical Themes for Discussion:

• The Duality of Human Nature: How Dostoevsky dramatizes the internal split of the human psyche, inner conflict, and the struggle between societal expectations and suppressed desires.
• Alienation & Modern Anxiety: The impact of social isolation, bureaucratic hierarchy, and existential dread on individual worth.
• Early Existentialism & Polyphony: Exploring how fragmented consciousness and competing internal voices anticipate later existential philosophy.

Join us for an engaging discussion on psychological duality, self-alienation, and the fragile boundaries of identity!

Want to have deep conversations on philosophy and life in good company, which always consist of at least one person with a good sense of humour? Then please join this reading group.

We aim at making this a kind and inclusive group, where everyone feels appreciated and warmly welcomed. No background knowledge or reading is obligatory; everyone is free to join and listen in or join the discussion we're having.

The purpose of this group is to delve into philosophical topics and classic and modern philosophers. Each month we read a book of a contemporary or old philosopher, which we dan delve into in an informal and accessible manner. As a philosopher I can guide these meetings if wanted or needed, but will do minimum lecturing, except if anyone feels like it.
A professor of mine said: 'Bring philosophy everywhere' and that is what I try to do, also to give away my philosophy degree for free to a group such as this.

I have more than a decade worth of teaching experience, which also consists in engaging in philosophical and Socratic dialogue in the university of applied sciences, highschool, primary school and in prison. I also used philosophy as a conversational tool in the field of social work in the past.

The events are free, but you can pay as you please, which would be much appreciated. I donate 10% of the revenue, as I do with all of my income, to effective charities that are recommended by the Effective Altruism Movement (see: https://www.effectivealtruism.org/).
You can send me a one-time donation on:
https://www.paypal.me/FBIJoeri
Or you can support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/filosofischbureauvoorinzichtsvergaring
For those that would like to see me speak about other philosophy stuff, see:
https://www.youtube.com/user/1986Joeri
For those that like to complement or replace their reading with audio-visual material, I will post these in the comments aforehand of the meeting.