Adult Language

The tender accompaniment to the brutal dismantling of solidarity

Consideration is given to sensibilities everywhere in the public discourse nowadays: warnings are given about ‘explicit language’, recommendations for gender-neutral language and third toilet doors installed. In his new book, Robert Pfaller questions how it came to be that we are no longer addressed as adults, but instead treated like children by the political system. Is this a smoke screen? A political strategy? The aim is to be taken seriously as a mature citizen – but then we should also be addressed as such.

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  • Publisher: FISCHER Taschenbuch
  • Release: 23.11.2017
  • ISBN: 978-3-596-29877-8
  • 256 Pages
  • Author: Robert Pfaller
Adult Language
Robert Pfaller Adult Language
Peter Rigaud
© Peter Rigaud
Robert Pfaller

Robert Pfaller, born in 1962, studied philosophy in Vienna and Berlin and, after guest professorships in Chicago, Berlin, Zurich and Strasbourg, is now a professor of philosophy at the University of Art and Design Linz. From 2009 to 2014, he was a professor of philosophy at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. His books published by Fischer include "Das schmutzige Heilige und die reine Vernunft. Symptome der Gegenwartskultur" (2008), the highly acclaimed study "Wofür es sich zu leben lohnt. Elemente materialistischer Philosophie" (2011), "Zweite Welten. Und andere Lebenselixire" (2012) as well as “Kurze Sätze über gutes Leben” (2015). After "Erwachsenensprache. Über ihr Verschwinden aus Politik und Kultur" (2017), "Die blitzenden Waffen. Über die Macht der Form" was published in 2020. He was awarded the Paul Watzlawick Ring of Honour in 2020.