Michael Endes Philosophie im Spiegel von „Momo“ und „Die unendliche Geschichte“

Michael Ende (1929–1995) is often mistakenly labeled as a children's book author; however, his works are not solely aimed at children and adolescents but are infused with a multitude of philosophical questions and reflections. Through his two most famous novels, Momo (1973) and The Neverending Story (1979), the author critically and methodically elucidates the previously underappreciated philosophical thinking of Ende and places it within a broader philosophical historical context. Ende's works distinguish themselves not only from the fantasy genre due to their pronounced reflective character, but he also advocates for a unique art theory and anthropology that originates from creativity. This is accompanied—especially in Momo—by a clear critique of capitalism and reflections on the conditions of the (im)possibility of an originally creative existence for humans under current societal conditions.