Mr Steinthaler, at the age of 77 you have just completed your doctorate. Why did you still do this to yourself?
I have lived a very happy life and I still do. I feel like I have aging under control. I’ve thought a lot about that. Is that a subjective experience, or can I also objectify it?
Have you had the desire to do a doctorate for a long time?
Yes. At the age of 33, I already had the chance to write a doctorate. At that time I had completed my second degree, psychology, with a diploma. Before that I studied education. So I was spiritually filled and ready to go. But there was no way because the research funds were lacking. At that time I said to myself: “You are already so old. You have to earn money now.” I wanted to start a family and stand with both feet on the ground. So I got a job in pharmacy. As a training manager, I hired and trained employees who brought psychology to the people. The idea of doing intellectual work has been dormant in me over the years like a seed in the ground. He was waiting for an opportunity to come along.