When he answered, he went all the way back to beginnings. He instructed me about the individual, about freedom and dignity, about the human being as subject and the fact that one may not turn him into an object. Dont you remember how furious you would get as a little boy when Mama knew better what was good for you? Even how far one can act like this with children is a real problem. It is a philosophical problem, but philosophy does not concern itself with children. It leaves them to pedagogy, where theyre not in very good hands. Philosophy has forgotten about children. He smiled at me. Forgotten them forever, not just sometimes, the way I forget about you.But . . .But with adults I see absolutely no justification for setting other peoples views of what is good for them above their own ideas of what is good for themselves.Not even if they themselves are happy about it later?He shook his head. Were not talking about happiness, were talking about dignity and freedom. Even as a little boy, you knew the difference. It was no comfort to you that your mother was always right.
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About Bernhard Schlink
Bernhard Schlink was a contemporary German writer. Bernhard Schlink is a German lawyer, academic, and novelist. He is best known for his novel The Reader, which was first published in 1995 and became an international bestseller. Read more on Wikipedia →