Austrian philosopher, Jewish by birth Otto Weininger was born in 1880, on April 3 in Vienna, the capital of Austria. His fate is tragic: at the age of 23, a female university graduate, a young psychologist and philosopher became a victim of suicide. The main problem in the life of a twenty-three-year-old youth was his Jewishness. This fact of the biography prevented him from living normally and being in harmony with himself. In a note that he wrote right before his death and which was found in his papers, it was written that he kills himself so as not to kill others. Of course, for many, the meaning of this riddle has remained incomprehensible. I wonder what he meant?
Otto Weininger. “Gender and Character”: Summary
This book is the hallmark of the Austrian thinker. In it, Otto Weininger shares his global observations and the results of an analysis of male and female principles. He was deeply convinced that they are complete opposites, especially in the moral sense. The book “Sex and Character” was written in 1902, a year and a half before its author committed suicide. After more than 110 years, it does not lose its popularity among scientists and ordinary citizens. According to his theory, masculine origin includes individuals with a high level of development of consciousness, as well as asceticism and creation. But to the female - more primitive models of consciousness. More sensual and less productive. At the same time, the carriers of the “feminine” principle are not only women, but also men belonging to the Negroid race, as well as Jews. Christians are typical carriers of the “masculine” moral principle.
Weininger Biography
As already noted, the Austrian philosopher Otto Weininger, whose biography dates back to 1880, was born in the capital of the Waltz - Vienna, at the very beginning of the second spring month (April 3). Its roots belonged to the Mosaic family, which was the reason for his death at 23. Unfortunately, a brief biography of the philosopher does not describe the information about what Weininger Otto was in his childhood. Why brief? 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 of this book are already valuable in themselves, as they belong to various scientists) - this is an interesting book about the essence of women and men. For 100 years now, 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 he switched to philosophy. He was distinguished by excellent abilities and graduated with honors. At the age of 20, he managed to do a lot: he knew many dead and modern languages, had good knowledge of literature, geography, mathematics and medicine. He could be safely called a great intellectual or scholar. Shortly after graduation, 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 the misfortune happened with Otto, 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 feminine, could not bear this and decided to put an end to his life. In any case, at the time of death, he was in a state of deep internal crisis. However, not only Jewishness, but also developed sensuality contributed to his making such an unexpected step.
How did this happen?
The suicide of Otto Weininger is seen as demonstrative, since he chose a hotel room to do this, in which the great composer Beethoven gave up his last spirit. Otto was found half-dead in this very room by 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 around Italy, and among his papers a will was found written during this voyage. This means that suicide was a pre-planned and deliberate step, and not a momentary weakness. In the will, in addition to some money orders, he asked to send his book to such public figures as Knut Gamsun, Jacob Wasserman, Maxim Gorky and others. Among his papers was also found the inscription that we already spoke about - "I have to kill myself, so as not to kill others. " The causes of suicide, according to various psychologists, are diverse, but no one can say for sure.
Otto Weininger's works
Of course, “Gender and Character” is the most famous work of the philosopher, but after his death books such as “On the Last Things,” written in the same year as “Gender and Character,” but published in 1904, were published. m, "Love and Woman" (in 1917). By the way, in all his teachings, man occupies a central place. According to Weininger, he is alone in the universe. He has no purpose and nothing else outside of himself. He does not know why he lives, why he strives for higher ideals.
Contribution to Science
In the early 20th century, talk of a personality crisis was very popular. And it was Weininger who managed to convey this state in his writings when a person is in despair, in a misunderstanding of himself. Nevertheless, he was fully aware that he had high intelligence and was confident in his abilities. Otto Weininger believed that all that was left for him to do was to reduce all his knowledge, as well as his insights, into a universal and comprehensive system, which, in his opinion, was his 600-page work “Sex and Character. A Principled Study”. And this will allow him to solve the mystery of the world and man. This book was published in 1903 by the Vienna and Leipzig publishers Braumueller. It seems that everything went on in his life. His work made him famous, and now many knew who Weininger was. His biography, however, was soon to be interrupted. Once, after a trip to Italy, he spent five days in his parents ’house. Then, without telling anyone, he rented a room for the night in which the great Beethoven had once died. The next morning he was no longer alive.
Idioms
Despite the fact that in wide circles few people know who Otto Weininger is, his quotes are quite popular. Many of them belong to the fairer sex. From them we can conclude how ambiguous his attitude towards them was. And if he claims that the Jews are carriers of the feminine, then it becomes clear why he committed suicide. He simply was not comfortable living with such a heavy burden. And now I want to acquaint you with some of his winged expressions, which are located in the next section entitled “Otto Weininger: Quotes about Women“. Of course, many of the above you will definitely not like. However, the Austrian philosopher thought and felt so ...
Otto Weininger: quotes about a woman
Weininger writes that a woman in some parts is more beautiful than in general. Or the philosopher believes that only a man who is stronger than her in his thinking can attract a woman. In addition, he believes that any woman acts erogenously on a man, and everything masculine attracts a woman equally. In his opinion, if a woman is strong spiritually, then she is strong and physically. In addition, she will certainly have masculine qualities both in character and in appearance. A woman, unlike men, does not hesitate to show others how unhappy she is. Because she simply is not capable of experiencing deep unhappiness. The most important thing for a woman to be loved. However, she needs this in order to show off this to other women and cause 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, of course, can infuriate any sane woman.
Reviews of the main work of Otto Weininger
Scientists' assessments of this book are mixed. 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. It is believed that Freud was a follower of Weininger, or rather, that he borrowed the idea from him, and that the studies of Uncle Sigmund were nothing but plagiarism. Of course, among people who respond positively and even with admiration for Weininger’s work, mostly men, that is, “privileged” women, but the fairer sex, naturally, do not share his opinions regarding their inferiority. In short, through his work, Otto Weininger was able to bring discord between the two sexes.