The Philosophical Quintet in Chassé Theater

The iconic TV program Het Filosofisch Kwintet by HUMAN, hosted by Arnon Grunberg, is going on a theatre tour and will arrive at the Chassé Theatre on 9 June.

“The old world is dying, and the new world is struggling to be born; now is the time of monsters.” This was written by Antonio Gramsci in 1929, but it is incredibly relevant today and forms the overarching theme of this season of Het Filosofisch Kwintet. Arnon Grunberg will explore with various thinkers the monsters of our time. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A where you can ask questions to Arnon and the guests.

Performance 15:30: Living with monsters

Every era produces its own monsters. People we disapprove of, exclude, and dehumanise. In short: enemies. In this episode of Het ‘Het filosofisch kwintet’, Arnon Grunberg explores with his guests why we create monsters. Who decides where normal ends and abnormal begins – and how is this boundary monitored in society? Do we need monsters to prove our own humanity? Who do we deem morally unendurable, and what does that say about our culture? And once we have created a monster, how far is our willingness to live with it? Can you tolerate monsters, maybe even understand them – or must you exclude them to appear virtuous? Among the guests is philosopher and historian Dimitri Goossens.

Performance 20:00: Humanity as predator

For centuries, we in the West placed humans beside and above nature: humans as rational beings against a capricious, unpredictable world that can be tamed and exploited. But is that boundary so clear-cut? Humans are also part of nature and subject to certain natural laws, but which ones? Is the human a predator among other predators, or is there something exceptional about humans? And what price do they pay for their hunting expeditions? In this episode, Arnon Grunberg examines with his guests how our hunger for resources is hollowing out the ground beneath our feet. Are we parasites who do not know how to care for our hosts? And if so: how do you become a good parasite? Among the guests is the thinker of the Netherlands, David Van Reybrouck.