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PhiloQuest 2026: Books & Movies

Painting of the death of Socrates, representing PhiloQuest’s monthly book and film discussions

PhiloQuest 2026 was a year-long journey through books and films exploring human nature, power, technology, and meaning.

The aim of this discussion group was to get together once a month to discuss a movie or book together: really just an excuse to get together and chat over drinks.

Sessions were held on the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm CET. These sessions were not recorded.

This edition is complete. Explore current and upcoming PhiloQuest discussions →

2026 Lineup & Schedule

Part 1: Human Nature & Political Foundations

Common Sense cover
January

Common Sense

Thomas Paine
The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History cover
February

The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History

Howard Bloom

Part 2: Solitude, Identity, and the Human Condition

The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America cover
March

The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America

Louis Menand
The Labyrinth of Solitude and Other Writings cover
April

The Labyrinth of Solitude and Other Writings

Octavio Paz
One Hundred Years of Solitude cover
May

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Gabriel García Márquez
Don't Look Up (2021) cover
June

Don't Look Up (2021)

Directed by Adam McKay (Film)

Part 3: Power Struggles

Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap? cover
July

Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides's Trap?

Graham Allison
Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets cover
August

Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets

Svetlana Alexievich

Part 4: Progress, Technology & AI

How Progress Ends: Technology, Innovation, and the Fate of Nations cover
September

How Progress Ends: Technology, Innovation, and the Fate of Nations

Carl Benedikt Frey
AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order cover
October

AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order

Kai-Fu Lee

Part 5: Existential Quest

Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals cover
November

Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals

John Gray
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text cover
December

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text

Mary Shelley
Film: Frankenstein (2025), directed by Guillermo del Toro
Mahmoud Rasmi

Mahmoud Rasmi

I hold a PhD in philosophy with over a decade of experience across academia and industry. I currently run an independent practice helping leaders develop strategies through ambiguity, and clarifying decisions involving competing values.

More about me →