“To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand. This is the sport, the luxury, special to the intellectual man. The gesture characteristic of his tribe consists in looking at the world with eyes wide open in wonder. Everything in the world is strange and marvelous to well-open eyes.”

― José Ortega y Gasset, The Revolt of the Masses

November 6-9, 2025

Dear All,

Last year we celebrated the first SideQuest philosophy retreat in Salamanca, exploring Miguel de Unamuno’s legacy. It was a great experience and a good excuse to get together, explore the philosophical heritage of the city, have delicious food and drinks (although with restraint as there was no labneh and sardines), and enjoy thoughtful conversations with cool company.

This time we’re heading to Madrid, home to José Ortega y Gasset and his philosophy of vital reason. Ortega was the central figure of the influential Escuela de Madrid (School of Madrid), a circle of thinkers that included María Zambrano, Xavier Zubiri, and Julián Marías.

Ortega wrote during the rise of mass society in early 20th-century Europe. In works like What is Philosophy? and The Revolt of the Masses, he explored how individuals can maintain their independence while living in increasingly standardized societies.

In this philosophy retreat, we’ll examine Ortega’s central ideas: that life comes before abstract thinking, that each person must create their own existence, and that individuals have a responsibility to think for themselves rather than simply conform to mass opinion.

For more on Ortega’s philosophy, see this introduction to his thought.

The places are limited. Maximum 5 spots, and 2 have already confirmed. So only 3 spots left.

More details below!

If you have any questions or want to confirm your participation, email [email protected].

Looking forward to seeing you in Madrid!

Overview

  • Dates: November 6-9, 2025
  • Activities: Philosophical walks through Ortega’s Madrid (Ateneo, Revista de Occidente, Universidad Central), museum visits, Philosophy Symposium with drinks, workshop on vital reason in practice
  • Place: Madrid, Spain
  • Price: €2,500 (VAT included) - excludes accommodation and airfare
  • Available places: 5 (3 remaining)

The Individual and the Collective

Ortega distinguishes between two ways of existing in society: living as an individual who thinks for themselves, or living as part of the masses who accept common opinions without question.

Individual Existence: Taking responsibility for your own thinking and choices. “I am me and my circumstance” means actively deciding how to respond to your situation rather than just following what everyone else does.

Mass Existence: Accepting ready-made ideas and living without self-examination. This isn’t about social class - anyone can think like “mass man,” including those in positions of responsibility who should be thinking independently.

We’ll explore these ideas through walks in Ortega’s Madrid and conversations about how they apply to our own personal and professional lives.

Program Overview (tentative, the final program will be ready closer to the date)

Day 0: Thursday, November 6 - Arrival & Meet and Greet

  • Arrival and check-in
  • Welcome dinner (8:00 PM)

Day 1: Friday, November 7 - The Individual Way

  • Breakfast until 9:00 AM
  • Philosophy walk: “Ortega’s Madrid” (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
  • Coffee Break (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM)
  • Lunch (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
  • Break (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
  • Philosophy Workshop: “I am me and my circumstance” & symposium prep (5:30 PM - 7:30 PM)
  • Dinner & drinks (8:30 PM - 11:30 PM)

Day 2: Saturday, November 8 - Beyond Mass Society & Integration

  • Breakfast until 9:00 AM
  • Museum tour (Thyssen, Prado, or Romanticism Museum | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
  • Coffee Break (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM)
  • Lunch (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
  • Break (4:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
  • Session: The revolt of the masses and individual responsibility (5:00 PM - 6:30 PM)
  • Symposium: “Living therefore thinking” (6:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
  • Dinner and closing reflections (8:30 PM - 10:30 PM)

Day 3: Sunday, November 9 - Departure

  • Check-out & optional lunch

Who Is This For?

Business leaders and professionals interested in:

  • Understanding how personal perspective shapes decision-making
  • Navigating the tension between individual responsibility and collective pressures
  • Exploring how Ortega’s ideas about individual thinking and mass conformity apply to modern challenges

Details and Requirements

Location: Madrid, Spain - home to Ortega y Gasset and the Escuela de Madrid

Climate: November weather is cool (5-12°C). Bring comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.

Language: English

Prerequisites: No philosophy background required. Just curiosity and willingness to engage in thoughtful dialogue.

What’s Included:

  • Lunch, dinner, and drinks for 3 full days
  • Museum and historical site entrance fees
  • Workshop materials and facilitation
  • Philosophy symposium with drinks
  • Philosophical walks and guided discussions

What’s Not Included:

  • Accommodation (you arrange your own, preferably Central Madrid - Madrid has excellent options)
  • Airfare to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
  • Local transportation (Madrid has excellent public transport)

Registration and Payment:

Total: €2,500 (VAT included)

  • Deposit: €500 by September 10, 2025
  • Balance: €2,000 by October 30th, 2025

Payment instructions will be provided upon inquiry.

Getting There:

Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is well connected. The trip from the airport to the city center takes around 30-40 minutes. You can take Metro, bus, taxi, or Uber. If you need any assistance with logistics, please let me know.

For questions or to confirm participation, contact: [email protected]

Looking forward to exploring Ortega’s Madrid with you!

Bio:

Hi my name is Mahmoud Rasmi. I am an independent writer, researcher, lecturer, and consultant. Over the past few years, I have been teaching philosophy to professionals and philosophy enthusiasts in a non-academic setting. Before that, I spent seven years as a university professor before I decided to venture into bringing philosophy back to the marketplace. I hold a PhD in Philosophy, and an MA in Cultural Heritage Management with a specific focus on philosophical heritage.

GFreihalter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

GFreihalter, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons