Rotterdam Philosophy guided reading group

Unstitch the Monster Within: A Day of Philosophy, Ethics, and Modern Prometheans
Ever since Mary Shelley’s creation first shocked the world, the story of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature has been more than a tale of horror—it is a profound mirror held up to our deepest fears about creation, responsibility, and what it means to be human.
Join us for a captivating evening of discussion inspired by the book "Frankenstein and Philosophy: The Shocking Truth." We will gather to explore the electrifying philosophical questions that this timeless story forces us to confront.
What will we discuss?
Drawing from the essays in the book, our conversation will stitch together themes such as:

• The Ethics of Creation: From genetic engineering (GMOs, or "Frankenfood") to AI—when does ambitious science become a monstrous transgression?
• The "Monster" as the "Other": How do societies create and alienate outsiders? We’ll connect Shelley’s Creature to discussions on refugees, transgender rights, and systemic prejudice.
• Who is the Real Monster? Is it the abandoned Creature or the irresponsible creator? We’ll debate responsibility, blame, and the nature of evil.
• The Silver-Tongued Creature: Unlike the grunting film monster, Shelley’s original is eloquent and philosophical. What does his voice tell us about intelligence, soul, and personhood?

Today we will delve into what philosophy actually is, by the famous Spanish philosopher Gasset.

"What Is Philosophy?" by José Ortega y Gasset explores the nature and purpose of philosophy itself, rather than delving into traditional philosophical problems. Delivered in the form of lectures in 1928 and 1929, Ortega critiques the decline in philosophy's prestige during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily due to the dominance of physics. He argues that philosophy offers a holistic view of reality that individual sciences cannot provide, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all existence.
Ortega posits that the essence of philosophy lies in understanding life, defined as the fundamental reality, which encompasses both the conscious self and the external world. He introduces a unique framework where thought and the world are mutually dependent, suggesting that one's existence and perception are intrinsically linked. The work also addresses the complex interplay of self-knowledge, freedom, and time, portraying life as a continuous process shaped by choices and future aspirations. This text is significant not only philosophically but also as a cultural milestone in 20th-century Spanish thought, merging various philosophical traditions and offering a fresh perspective on the human condition.

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.

Today we will read a second work on what philosophy is.

Called by many France's foremost philosopher, Gilles Deleuze is one of the leading thinkers in the Western World. His acclaimed works and celebrated collaborations with Félix Guattari have established him as a seminal figure in the fields of literary criticism and philosophy. The long-awaited publication of What Is Philosophy? in English marks the culmination of Deleuze's career.

Deleuze and Guattari differentiate between philosophy, science, and the arts, seeing as means of confronting chaos, and challenge the common view that philosophy is an extension of logic. The authors also discuss the similarities and distinctions between creative and philosophical writing. Fresh anecdotes from the history of philosophy illuminate the book, along with engaging discussions of composers, painters, writers, and architects.

A milestone in Deleuze's collaboration with Guattari, What Is Philosophy? brings a new perspective to Deleuze's studies of cinema, painting, and music, while setting a brilliant capstone upon his work.

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.

From the bestselling coauthor of Wittgenstein’s Poker, a fascinating account of Peter Singer’s controversial “drowning child” thought experiment—and how it changed the way people think about charitable giving

Imagine You’re walking past a shallow pond and spot a toddler thrashing around in the water, in obvious danger of drowning. You look around for her parents, but nobody is there. You’re the only person who can save her and you must act immediately. But as you approach the pond you remember that you’re wearing your most expensive shoes. Wading into the water will ruin them—and might make you late for a meeting. Should you let the child drown? The philosopher Peter Singer published this thought experiment in 1972, arguing that allowing people in the developing world to die, when we could easily help them by giving money to charity, is as morally reprehensible as saving our shoes instead of the drowning child. Can this possibly be true? In Death in a Shallow Pond, David Edmonds tells the remarkable story of Singer and his controversial idea, tracing how it radically changed the way many think about poverty—but also how it has provoked scathing criticisms.

Death in a Shallow Pond describes the experiences and world events that led Singer to make his radical case and how it moved some young philosophers to establish the Effective Altruism movement, which tries to optimize philanthropy. The book also explores the reactions of critics who argue that the Shallow Pond and Effective Altruism are unrealistic, misguided, and counterproductive, neglecting the causes of—and therefore perpetuating—poverty. Ultimately, however, Edmonds argues that the Shallow Pond retains the power to shape how we live in a world in which terrible and unnecessary suffering persists.

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.