Rotterdam Philosophy guided reading group

We often focus on the spectacular sins—pride, greed, lust. But what if the real dangers to a decent society and a good character are far more… ordinary? What if the quiet, everyday flaws in our character are the ones that truly shape our politics and our lives?
Join us for a discussion of political philosopher Judith Shklar’s classic, Ordinary Vices, a book that turns moral philosophy on its head. Instead of preaching virtue, Shklar argues for a "liberalism of fear"—a politics based on the simple, yet radical idea of putting cruelty first.
What We'll Explore:
Shklar doesn't just talk about abstract ideals; she dives into the messy, complex vices we all recognize but rarely examine:

• Cruelty: Is it truly the worst thing we can do? Should it be the "first vice" from which all others are measured?
• Hypocrisy: Is it always bad, or is a little bit of it necessary for a functioning, tolerant society? (The "virtue" of the self-righteous can be far more dangerous).
• Snobbery: What’s the harm in social ranking? How does it undermine the very basis of democratic equality?
• Betrayal: Is it ever justified? How do we navigate the conflicting loyalties of public duty and private friendship?
• Misanthropy: Is a healthy distrust of humanity a prerequisite for good politics, or a dangerous attitude that leads to cruelty?

Why This Book Matters Now:
Written in 1984, Ordinary Vices feels incredibly timely. In an age of intense political polarization and social media outrage, Shklar’s call for tolerance of "contradiction, complexity, and the risks of freedom" is a bracing and necessary antidote. We’ll discuss what it means to build a "liberal character" that can withstand the temptations of power and self-righteousness.
Who This Is For:
This meetup is for anyone interested in:

• Political theory and philosophy
• Ethics and morality in daily life
• The ideas of thinkers like Montaigne, Austen, Nietzsche, and Shakespeare (who Shklar uses brilliantly to illustrate her points)
• Understanding the psychological undercurrents of modern politics
• A thoughtful, deep conversation that goes beyond headlines and soundbites

Don't worry if you haven't read the book! We'll start with a brief overview of Shklar’s core arguments, so everyone can participate. But reading (or skimming) the book beforehand will definitely enrich the conversation.

Please also feel free to join if you missed the other parts, because these events can always be followed seperately. See my previous message for source materials that might help.

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.

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.

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.

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.