MARKUS GABRIEL is the rising star of Germany’s new philosophical scene. In less than 20 years, he has read everything, learned everything (he’s fluent in some 10 languages), found his philosophical path (“New Realism”), and managed like nobody else (at least this precociously) to reconcile a prestigious academic career with a large public success. His recent book Why the World Does Not Exist is based on a paradox: “Our planet exists. My hopes and dreams, evolution, the toilet flush, hair loss. […] All of this exists except for the world.” interview by MEHDI BELHAJ KACEM portrait by OLIVIER AMSELLEM artworks by AUREL SCHMIDT MEHDI BELHAJ KACEM — Could you tell us something about your life, your childhood and adolescence, your family, your social and cultural milieu, and so on? When did you start to feel a predilection for philosophy? MARKUS GABRIEL — I grew up in a small town close…