Cato Benschop
Cato Benschop (1996) is a philosopher and illustrator based in Amsterdam.
Media
Flair magazine interviewed my cousin Eefje Benschop and me about our participation in feminist activist group Dolle Mina and our feminist practice for eating problems BEC.
Read the full interview here.
Feminist activism is making a comeback in the Netherlands.In this episode of Spraakmakers, radio host Herman van der Zandt discusses the return of activist group the Dolle Mina and whether its a good thing. I shared why I joined the group, and what are our main goals.
Listen to the full radio show here.
In my research master’s thesis The End of Eating Disorders, I propose to abandon the term “eating disorder”, as it can complicate people’s self-understanding to the point that recovery becomes impossible. This thesis has been nominated for the thesis award of the department of humanities, Utrecht University. The winner will be announced on September 2.
What are the norms for “disorder”? Do all types of mental deregulation have a common ground? After the screening of Hoe te verdwijnen (2025), I joined director Marc Schmidt to discuss the main themes of his documentary.
The screening was organised by Stichting Perceval as part of their film series Hoofdfilm.
People with eating disorder diagnoses are often thought to suffer from difficulties with their capacity for self-control. In my research of eating disorders, I have challenged this assumption. Bodywhys - the eating disorder association of Ireland - invited me to speak about my findings in their podcast.
Listen to the full interview here.
A year after winning the Fiep Westendorp Award, I update the Illustration Ambassady on my illustration work and the proceedings of my graphic novel Where is my mind?.
Read the full article here.
Is it rational to pursue thinness? If so, how should we conceptualise eating issues that may arise from efforts at weight loss? Philosopher Arundhati Singh invited me to speak about the cultural pressure on women to be thin on her Pinkonomics Podcast.
Listen to the full interview here.
Translate your favourite philosophical idea in a zine. This was the main task of my seminar Philosophical Drawing for BA Philosophy at the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. The result: some great zines!
For more pictures, visit my instagram.
Eating disorders are generally associated with preceding mental health issues, such as low self-esteem. However, in my practice for eating problems BEC, we assume that addressing such issues is not necessary for recovery. In this episode of In de bovenkooi, philosophers Rosa Rooduijn and Laura Keulartz interview my cousin Eefje Benschop and me about the principles of our practice.
Listen to the full interview here.
Tuesday November 7, I received the Fiep Westendorp Illustration Award, which was presented by feminist icon Hedy D’Ancona. For the coming years, the Fiep Westendorp Foundation supports my project Where’s my mind? - a graphic novel about the philosophy of mind and psychiatry.
Read more about the award here.
My hometown newspaper interviewed me about the added benefit of illustrations in philosophy, as well as my very first commissioned illustration at the age of eight.
Read the full interview here.
During Knits and Knotes festivals, the audience can listen to live music and talks while knitting, crochet, and other kinds of textile crafts. In this episode of the festival, I gave the keynote talk titled Herefore, therefore, that’s why: breaking up and textile art.
Read more about the talk here.