Otto Weininger: biography, quotes. Otto Weininger, "Sex and Character": a summary, reviews

An Austrian philosopher, a Jew by birth, Otto Weininger was born in 1880, on April 3 in the Austrian capital, Vienna. His fate is tragic: at the age of 23, a graduate of a women's university, a young psychologist and philosopher became a victim of suicide. The main problem of the life of the twenty-three-year-old was his Jewishness. This fact of the biography prevented him from living normally and being in harmony with himself. In a note he wrote right before his death and which was found in his papers, it was written that he was killing himself so as not to kill others. Of course, for many, the meaning of this puzzle has remained misunderstood. I wonder what he meant?

Otto Weininger. "Gender and character": a summary

This book is the visiting card of the Austrian thinker. In it, Otto Weininger shares his global observations and analysis of the male and female beginnings. He was deeply convinced that they are complete opposites, especially in the moral sense. The book "Sex and Character" was written in 1902, one and a half years before the author committed suicide. After more than 110 years, it does not lose its popularity among scientists and ordinary citizens. According to his theory, to the male principle belong personalities with a high level of development of consciousness, as well as austerity and creation. But to the female - more primitive models of consciousness. More sensual and less productive. At the same time, not only women, but also men belonging to the Negroid race, as well as Jews are carriers of the "feminine" beginning. Christians are the typical bearers of the "male" moral principle.

Biography of Weininger

As already mentioned, the Austrian philosopher Otto Weininger, whose biography begins in 1880, was born in the capital of waltzes - Vienna, at the very beginning of the second spring month (April 3). His roots belonged to the Mosaic family, which was the reason for his death in 23 years. Unfortunately, the brief biography of the philosopher does not describe what was in the childhood of Weininger Otto. Why short? Do not forget that he left this world at a very young age. However, he managed to immortalize his name - Otto Weininger. "Gender and character" (reviews about this book are already valuable in themselves, because they belong to the pen of various scientists) is an interesting book about the essence of women and men. For 100 years it has been under the watchful eye of young scientists: sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, and, of course, philosophers.

Weininger himself first studied natural sciences at the University of Vienna, and then switched to philosophy. He was noted for his excellent abilities and graduated with honors from the university. In his 20 years he managed to do a lot: he owned many people both dead and modern languages, had good knowledge in literature, geography, mathematics and medicine. He could be called a great intellectual or an erudite. Soon after graduating from university, he defended his doctoral dissertation, the theme of which was bisexuality. By the way, after the defense the scientist was baptized and became a follower of the Lutheran church.

Causes of suicide

After Otto had a misfortune, his colleagues began to study the reasons that could lead him to this. Most of them came to the conclusion that Otto Weininger, after concluding that the Jews belonged to the female head, could not stand it and decided to end his life. In any case, at the time of his death, he was in a state of deep internal crisis. However, not only belonging to the Jews, but also developed sensuality contributed to the fulfillment of such an unexpected step.

How did this happen?

Suicide of Otto Weininger is seen as demonstrative, because he chose to do this hotel room, in which the great spirit of the great composer Beethoven emanated. Otto half-dead found in the same room the police. On the way to the hospital, he died. The reason was a gunshot wound in the chest (heart). Before his death, he traveled through Italy, and among his papers was found a will written during this voyage. This means that suicide was a preplanned and conscious step, not a momentary weakness. In his will, in addition to some money orders, he asked to send out his book to such public figures as Knut Hamsun, Jacob Wasserman, Maxim Gorky, and others. Among his papers, there was also found the inscription about which we already said: "I must kill myself, So as not to kill others. " The reasons for suicide, according to the judgments of various psychologists, are diverse, but no one can say for sure.

The works of Otto Weininger

Of course, "Sex and character" is the most famous work of the philosopher, but after his death, books such as "About the Last Things", written in the same year as Paul and character, were published, but printed in 1904, M, "Love and Woman" (in 1917). By the way, in all his teachings the person occupies the central place. According to Weininger, he is alone in the universe. He has no purpose and nothing else is outside himself. He does not know what he lives for, why he strives for higher ideals.

Contribution to science

In the early 20th century, talk about the crisis of personality were very popular. And it was Weininger who managed in his works to convey this state when a person is in despair, in a misunderstanding of himself. Nevertheless, he was fully aware that he possessed a high intellect and was confident in his abilities. Otto Weininger believed that all he had to do was to reduce all his knowledge, as well as his insights into the universal and all-encompassing system, which, in his opinion, was his 600-page work "Sex and Character: A Basic Study." And this will allow him to unravel the mystery of the world and man. This book was published in 1903 by the Viennese and Leipzig publishing houses "Braumuller". It seems that everything went on as usual in his life. His work made him famous, and now many knew who Weininger was. His biography, however, soon had to be interrupted. Once, after a trip to Italy, he spent five days in a house with his parents. Then, without telling anyone, he took off for the night the room in which the great Beethoven once died. The next morning he was no longer alive.

Idioms

Despite the fact that in a wide circle few people know who Otto Weininger is, his quotes are quite popular. Many of them belong to the fairer sex. One can draw conclusions from them, how ambiguous was his attitude towards them. And if he claims that Jews are carriers of the feminine principle, it becomes clear why he committed suicide. He was simply uncomfortable to live with such a heavy burden. And now I want to introduce you to some of his winged expressions, which are located in the next section entitled "Otto Weininger: quotes about women." Of course, much of what you have said will definitely not be pleasant to you. However, the Austrian philosopher thought and felt so ...

Otto Weininger: quotes about a woman

Weininger writes that the woman in some parts is more beautiful than in general. Or the philosopher thinks that only the man who is stronger than her is able to attract a woman to her. In addition, he believes that any woman per man acts erogenously, and all men attract a woman equally. In his opinion, if a woman is strong spiritually, then she is strong and physically strong. In addition, she will necessarily have masculine qualities in both character and appearance. A woman unlike men does not hesitate to show others how unhappy she is. Because she simply is not capable of experiencing a deep misfortune. The most important thing for a woman to be loved. However, she needs this in order to show off this in front of other women and to evoke their envy. A woman does not need to be respected by a man, she just wants someone to possess her body. There are many other judgments in a similar spirit, which, naturally, can lead to any sensible woman.

Reviews about the main work of Otto Weininger

Assessments of scientists on this book are ambiguous. Some consider her the best of all works in the field of psychology. However, some believe that this is utter nonsense, and regret the time spent reading it. There are opinions that Freud was a follower of Weininger, or rather that he borrowed from him the idea, and that the studies of Uncle Zygmund are nothing but plagiarism. Of course, among the people who respond positively and even with admiration for Weininger's work, mostly men, that is "privileged", but the representatives of the weaker sex do not naturally share his opinion on their inferiority. In a word, Otto Weininger's work could bring about discord between the two sexes.