November 6-9, 2025

Dear All,

Last year we celebrated the first SideQuest philosophy retreat in Salamanca. 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 Vienna, the city that gave us, among many other things, both Freud’s insights into the unconscious mind and Hayek’s understanding of spontaneous order.

Vienna at the turn of the 20th century was home to two powerful intellectual currents: one influence by the Romantic tradition (rooted in German Romanticism) that shaped thinkers like Freud and Frankl, and one influenced by the Liberal tradition (classical liberalism) that influenced Hayek and to a certain extent the Vienna Circle.

In this philosophy retreat, we’ll explore both and attempt to reconcile them through what Richard Bronk calls “the romantic economist.”

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

More details below!

If you have any questions or want to confirm your participation, reach out by replying to this email.

Looking forward to seeing you in Vienna!

Overview

  • Dates: November 6-9, 2025
  • Activities: Philosophical walks through Vienna’s intellectual districts, museum visits (Freud Museum, Frankl Museum, Albertina and/or Kunsthistorisches Museum), Philosophy Symposium with drinks, workshop on the Romantic vs Liberal approaches to the individual vs collective, especially during times of technological disruption and change
  • Place: Vienna, Austria
  • Price: €2,500 (VAT included) - excludes accommodation and airfare
  • Available places: 5 (2 remaining)

The Two Viennas

Vienna was the birthplace of two seemingly contradictory ways of understanding human nature and society:

The ‘Romantic’ Vienna - influenced by German Romanticism (Andrea Wulf’s “Magnificent Rebels”), emphasized emotion, the unconscious, and the search for meaning. This current flows through Freud’s psychoanalysis and Frankl’s logotherapy.

The Liberal Vienna - rooted in classical liberalism and Adam Smith’s ideas, focused on individual choice, spontaneous order, and market mechanisms. This tradition shaped Hayek’s economics and the Vienna Circle’s systematic approach.

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 Romantic Way

  • Breakfast until 9:00 AM
  • Philosophy walk (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
  • Lunch (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
  • Break (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
  • Workshop: “The Unconscious in Leadership” & symposium prep (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
  • Dinner & drinks (7:30 PM - 10:30 PM)

Day 2: Saturday, November 8 - The Liberal Way & Integration

  • Breakfast until 9:00 AM
  • Museum tour (To be determined | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
  • Lunch (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
  • Break (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
  • Café Central session: Vienna Circle and systematic thinking (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM)
  • Symposium: “The Romantic Economist” - reconciling both approaches (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)
  • Dinner and closing reflections (8:00 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 the deeper currents that shape how we think about people and markets
  • Combining emotional intelligence with systematic thinking
  • Exploring how Vienna’s intellectual heritage applies to modern leadership challenges

Details and Requirements

Location: Vienna, Austria - the intellectual crossroads of Europe where psychology met economics

Climate: November weather is cool (3-8°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 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 Innere Stadt, Vienna - Vienna has excellent options)
  • Airfare to Vienna International Airport (VIE)
  • Local transportation (Vienna 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:

Vienna International Airport (VIE) is well connected. The trip from the airport to the city center takes around 20 to 30 minutes. You can take a direct train, 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 Vienna’s remarkable intellectual heritage 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.