Symposion - Studievereniging Wijsbegeerte

Dear Gentle Philosophy Students,

On September 25th, 2024, the new Symposion board ‘24-‘25 was officially constituted👨‍⚖. With a chilled glass of wine in hand, I raise a toast to ‘In Vino Frigido Confidimus’🍷! And what better way to celebrate than by throwing a party?🎉 All our members are invited to our ✨CoBo Afterparty✨, where we’ll be celebrating not only our board but also the toasts thrown our way by other associations!

Join us on November 6th from 10.30PM- 2AM at NSL (Oude Singel 56). Get ready for a night of cheap drinks🍻, laughter, and dancing🕺 as we kick off the year with a bang and unwind from all the midterm stress😌

Dear gentle philosophy students,

Now, let’s shine the spotlight on our Assessor of Education, the talented Inga Triebel! Hailing from Germany, she has already earned two bachelor’s degrees, making her incredibly qualified for her role. Inga is also our main contact person with the university, and her impressive background ensures she is the chosen representative for us. Her dedication and expertise truly make her fantastic!

Words from Inga themself:
Hi, I am someone existing between creative chaos and loving their routines, referring to the name Inga. Inga, not a singer, has all their fingers, connecting with gente linda, not to be confused to be gringa or Huizinga.

I’m in my first year of the MA Global and Comparative Philosophy and MA Latin American Studies.
If I were asked who has inspired me most, I’d say it’s a group of brilliant people working within feminist collectives. Watching feminist minds and bodies connect their diverse realities of resistance across intersections gives me real hope for international solidarity.

“The thought of a possible life is only an indulgence for those who already know themselves to be possible. For those who are still looking to become possible, possibility is a necessity.” (Judith Butler, Undoing Gender, 219)

Dear gentle philosophy students,

Now, let’s shine the spotlight on our Assessor of Education, the talented Inga Triebel! Hailing from Germany, she has already earned two bachelor’s degrees, making her incredibly qualified for her role. Inga is also our main contact person with the university, and her impressive background ensures she is the chosen representative for us. Her dedication and expertise truly make her fantastic!

Words from Inga themself:
Hi, I am someone existing between creative chaos and loving their routines, referring to the name Inga. Inga, not a singer, has all their fingers, connecting with gente linda, not to be confused to be gringa or Huizinga.

I’m in my first year of the MA Global and Comparative Philosophy and MA Latin American Studies.
If I were asked who has inspired me most, I’d say it’s a group of brilliant people working within feminist collectives. Watching feminist minds and bodies connect their diverse realities of resistance across intersections gives me real hope for international solidarity.

“The thought of a possible life is only an indulgence for those who already know themselves to be possible. For those who are still looking to become possible, possibility is a necessity.” (Judith Butler, Undoing Gender, 219)

Dear gentle philosophy students,

Now, let’s shine the spotlight on our Assessor Extern, the delightful Hannah van Riel! She’s our secret ginger mastermind behind all those fantastic Instagram posts and is busy arranging amazing collaborations for all of you!

Words from Hannah herself:

There once was a girl named Hannah,
With a smile like warm sunshine manna.
Through day and night, she brought pure light,
Bright as stars in a vast panorama.

I’m in my second year of the BA philosophy.

If someone asked who I was in a past life, I’d say I’m a newcomer, someone who hasn’t yet seen the light and has to figure things out the hard way. In my next life, though, I’d probably be a dolphin—just feels right, you know?

“If I were an unchanging ‘self’, what would be the point of trying to change myself?” (Rupert Gethin, The Foundations of Buddhism, 1998)

Dear gentle philosophy students,

Let’s shine the spotlight on our Assessor Intern, Simone Aronson! She is the glue that keeps our committees and members connected, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Not only does she share wise words, but she is also clear about how things should be done and is always ready to help wherever needed. Her dedication and talent are truly amazing!

Words from Simone herself:
With my name Simone, I would most likely follow in the footsteps of Sylvester Stallone.

I’m in my second year of the BA philosophy. I

f i got asked if i would prefer to be the student of Heidegger, or be in an open relationship with Sartre, is it only fair that Hannah, not referring to Arendt, would become Heidegger’s ‘teacher’s pet’, I will have to choose to be in an open relationship with Sartre, ONLY on the condition that I’m allowed to have an affair with Camus.

“I don’t understand why people would want to get rid of pigeons. They don’t bother no one.” -Mike Tyson

Dear gentle philosophy students,

Let’s introduce our Questor, Cedric Schutter! When it comes to finances, he’s the one you want on your side. So, keep your receipts handy, because Cedric will make sure everything gets sorted and the numbers start rolling in!

Words from Cedric himself:
Cedric being Authentic ✨
The classic, our queastor Cedric.
Our quaestor Cedric, so fantastic this academic.
Cedric, very demure, very aesthetic.

I’m in my second year of the BA philosophy.

If I were asked whether I’d rather be the king of my own country, with every rule I made turning into its opposite in practice, or have a million in the bank without ever knowing about it, I’d definitely choose to forget the million.
“Human plurality ... has the twofold character of equality and distinction.” -Hannah Arendt

Hi dear gentle philosophy students,

Let me introduce our Ab-Actis, Francesco Limacher! He’s the charming blondie of our board, and all the monthly emails come from this wonderful guy. With his thoughtful words, Francesco is always there to support you, and he’s ready with a critical eye when needed. A true philosopher and an exceptional secretary!

Words from Francesco himself:
Let’s go write a fresco with the name of Francesco, because my name is Francesco.
At the moment I am mostly human, a philosophy student, and the secretary of the 23e board of the Symposion study association in Leiden University.

I’m in my third year of the BA Global and Comparative Philosophy track.

My biggest fear is getting blood tests, but nothing makes me laugh more than a good morbid joke.

“We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.”
― St. Thomas Aquinas

Dear gentle philosophy students,

It is our pleasure to introduce you to the 23rd board of the Symposion Philosophy Study Association: In vino frigido confidimus.

Hi dear gentle philosophy students,

Now, let’s give a grand introduction to our Preases, the stunning beauty queen, Esmee Koelewijn! With her charm and charisma, she ensures that our wine is always chilled and ready for enjoyment. Esmee doesn’t just represent us; she is the driving force that keeps the Vereniging thriving and vibrant. Her leadership and vision truly embody the spirit of Symposion, making every event unforgettable. We are incredibly fortunate to have her at the helm!

Words from Esmee herself:
This year’s Praeses is named Esmée,
To the board she cheers with a glass of rosé.
She chases ideas that refuse to obey.
A student of life in her own vibrant way.
I am in my second year of the bachelor philosophy global track. If I could swap lives with someone I would choose Kristen Bell, because I think she is a good person and a great actress and I would be interested to see what her life is like.

“Live, Laugh, Love” - unspecified person from the 2000s

Dear gentle philosophy students, The Magazine Committee is proud to announce the theme for our next edition: ‘Childlike wonder’ 🤍

Check for inspiration———!!!
We’re accepting any and all submissions (short stories, poetry, essays, photography, illustrations, paintings, etc.) relating to the theme. Feel free to be creative in your interpretation of the prompt 💭

Maximum of 1000 words in English/Dutch;
open to non-Philosophy students;
multiple submissions allowed.

The earlier you submit your piece, the more likely it is to be included!
Want a guarantee? Early bird submission deadline is
25th of November
Need a bit more time? Our final submission deadline is
10th of December

Submit your work via email:
[email protected]

Much love from the Magazine Team

Dear gentle philosophy students,
It’s Friday night before the midterm week and no time to go out?
How about meeting for a study session instead! *On October 25th (starting 18:00)* bring your favourite snacks, study-budies or just yourself to enjoy your silent study in good company or to engage with your peers in a group study session 📖💡🗣
✨Because in study community we trust ✨

Dear gentle philosophy students,
*On October 22nd at 6 PM, in Lipsius 2.01,* we will watch together the video essay ‘I Don’t Know James Rolfe’ by YouTuber ‘Folding Ideas’.🤓 Our popular PhD Council chair Fabius will share how they analyze video essays as a unique form of artistic expression from various perspectives. How do they help us acquire information more efficiently in the age of content? What are their limitations compared to traditional essays or films? Moreover, how video essays manage (or fail) to demonstrate filmmaking arts while producing knowledge is a question worth pondering. If you also recognize the value of video essays, please join us for this discussion!🤩

Also don’t forget to *fill out the form* below to help us estimate the number of participants. Thank you!🫶
https://forms.gle/62jaTDCiRGZge3sw7

Dear gentle philosophy students, Last Wednesday wasn’t just a game night—we turned the board room into our own playful battleground during the open hours! From intense chess duels to wild card games where someone might just win it all, we had a blast. So when are you going to join us? Challenge a fellow philosopher to a checkmate or shuffle up and deal your way to victory!

Not much for games? No worries! Come by, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy some good conversation in between all that deep thinking. We promise, the board room is the perfect spot to unwind and chat.

See you soon, bisous!

Dear gentle philosophy students, Mark your calendars for an exciting evening of thrills and games on October 16th!

Are you a fan of mystery and intrigue? Perhaps you find yourself captivated by crime-solving podcasts or obsessed with Stiles Stilinski’s clever antics? Well, this is the night for you! 💡 We’re planning an epic game night, featuring:

🎲 Secret Hitler 🐺 Weerwolven 🕵️ Cluedo 🪦 Black Stories
..and any other board games you want to bring! If games aren’t quite your style, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with plenty of sweets, drinks, and fantastic company to keep you entertained!

In the spirit of spooky season, the night will also be Halloween-themed 🎃, so dust off your best costume and join us for a night of fun!
Details: 📅 Date: October 16th
🕗 Time: 8:00 PM
🏠 Location: Vergulde Kruik

Dear gentle philosophy students,

In just two days, on October 8th, two exciting events will take place in one evening!
First, we will finally have our long-awaited Magazine Launch!📖 Expect poems and captivating stories that you can enjoy while reading.
Later that night, we’ll also be hosting our Monthly Drinks🍻
Be sure to arrive on time (before 10PM) to receive a free drink!🍷

We look forward to seeing you at the Vergulde Kruik this Tuesday✨

Dear gentle philosophy students, Last Wednesday, when we were gathered to reflect on the past and look forward to new beginnings, we extend our deepest gratitude to the outgoing board for their dedication and to everyone who has contributed through their hard work and dedication in our committees. Your efforts have shaped what we are today.

We are eager to see new faces joining our committees, bringing fresh perspectives and energy. We look forward to continuing this journey together with all of you and hope to see you at the next GMA!

With heartfelt appreciation to our beloved Symposion members—your passion is the foundation of our community, and you make us proud to serve as your board.

Dear gentle philosophy students,
In our first education event we shared our voices about the joys and difficulties of studying philosophy. One thing we take with us is that in a respectful community we trust, learn and grow together. So here’s to a new year of education events to foster our minds and bodies.

Dear esteemed philosophy students,

I am absolutely thrilled to announce the presentation of the new board! Even more exciting, I am delighted to invite you all to our General Members Assembly (GMA) on 25th September at 19:30 at De Vergulde Kruik. During this special occasion, the 23rd Board of Symposion will be formally installed.

The Symposion Board ‘In vino frigo confidimus’ of 2024-2025
Praeses: Esmée Koelewijn
Ab-Actis: Francesco Limacher
Quaestor: Cedric Schutter
Assessor Intern: Simone Aronson
Assessor Extern: Hannah van Riel
Assessor Educatie: Inga Triebel

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating this milestone together!

And as Pliny the Elder once said, “In wine, there is truth”.
Cheers to a year where we trust in both cool minds and cooler wines!

Dear gentle philosophy students,
The Education Committee welcomes you to a new year of philosophical joy! Join us for our opening event to kick things off!!
Perhaps every philosophy student grapples with some perennial questions: What does studying philosophy mean today? Catch our panel on “Finding your Voice in Philosophy” at de Keyzer on 9/24 at 18:00 featuring four peers at different stages discussing their own philosophical paths.
We are looking forward to seeing you all there with great passion!!!!☺

Dear gentle philosophy students,
If you’re excited to be an active member of Symposion, then this is the chance to see what our lovely association has to offer you!
Check out the committee market to see where your talents come in handy😌

Dear gentle philosophy students. Last thursday we saw each other at the pub crawl. A good way of getting to not only know each other, but also our lovely city Leiden. 🍻

Dear gentle philosophy students. We are already looking back at a very nice first years weekend. A lecture, a yoga lesson and a party. It was a whole weekend of fun and first impressions.

Dear Gentle Philosophy Students,

This Thursday, September 12, we’re hosting a pub crawl, and whether you’re new to Leiden or know it like the back of your hand, we’d love for you to join us on this adventure! We’ll be hopping from bar to bar through the charming streets of Leiden. Our first stop will be Café de Vergulde Kruik at 8 PM, with many more bars to follow after that. Let’s raise a glass together to a great school year! Be sure to treat yourself—or a friend—to a nice drink along the way.

Dear Gentle Philosophy Students,

We were delighted to see all of you at the monthly drinks yesterday! It was truly wonderful to witness so many happy faces and to feel the collective excitement for the new academic year 2024/25. Let’s savor these moments of calm before the busier times ahead. We look forward to reconnecting with all of you next month! 🍷