Wolfgang Müller-Funk reflects on cruelty, life, and the beauty of language

Wolfgang Müller-Funk, an author and academic, has grappled with the profound impact of human cruelty, a theme explored in his book "Crudelitas." He describes cruelty as something that strikes him to the heart, noting the extent to which people inflict suffering on one another in their pursuit of power.

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The extent of human cruelty that people inflict on each other; destroying others to be powerful, that shakes me. Cruelty strikes me to the heart. My book “Crudelitas” was also an act of personal processing.

Reflecting on his life, Müller-Funk acknowledges the influence of his parents. He initially dismissed his mother's charm and cheerfulness as superficial, a trait he later came to appreciate. His father's hospitality and cosmopolitan outlook also shaped him. He now feels a sense of adulthood, partly due to becoming a grandfather to three granddaughters, which has freed him from a fear of appearing childish with them.

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The charm and cheerfulness of my mother, which the 20-year-old Adorno adept considered deceitful and superficial, and which he only learned to appreciate late.

Müller-Funk also contemplates the nature of life and time, likening it to a novel where one might work, sleep, love, speak, eat, digest, and write incessantly. He finds the German word "Antlitz" (face) to be the most beautiful in the language, as it signifies the mutual gaze that defines human connection. He also quotes Jan Skácel: "people take each other because of the silence."

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Antlitz, because it addresses the most human aspect of a person: the mutual gaze.

When asked about what he would bet on, Müller-Funk expresses skepticism about predictions, citing historical events like the fall of socialism or the rise of digitalization as examples of unpredictability. He finds comfort in family, friends, and conversations, and has learned to manage anxiety by letting go of the fear of fear itself. He also practices relaxation techniques when he cannot sleep, often reflecting on the past day.

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people take each other because of the silence.