Otto Weininger Austrian philosopher. Date of Birth: 03.04.1880 Country: Austria

1. Otto Weininger: A Viennese Philosopher
2. Tragic End
3. Seminal Work: "Sex and Character"
4. Posthumous Publications

Otto Weininger: A Viennese Philosopher

Otto Weininger was an Austrian philosopher born into a wealthy Jewish family. In 1898, he enrolled in the philosophy department of the University of Vienna, earning a doctorate with distinction for his dissertation on bisexuality. Upon completing his degree, he converted to Christianity.

Tragic End

Weininger is known for his dramatic suicide in a hotel room where Beethoven had once passed away. Contemporaries speculated that the reason for his self-inflicted death was a "conflict between the asceticism he preached and his own sensuality." Some also attributed his suicide to a "cultural inferiority complex."

Seminal Work: "Sex and Character"

Weininger's most significant work was "Sex and Character: A Fundamental Investigation" (1902). Written from a naturalist perspective, the book explored the dichotomy between "masculine" and "feminine" principles. The masculine, according to Weininger, was characterized by consciousness, creativity, and asceticism. The feminine, conversely, represented a primitive consciousness, unproductive nature, and sensuality. He extended this binary to include men as well, categorizing Jews and black people as bearers of the "feminine" essence.

In the chapter "On Judaism," Weininger contrasted Christianity, which he saw as "masculine," with Judaism, which he associated with the "feminine" and immorality. This view later influenced anti-Semitic propaganda in Austria.

Posthumous Publications

Following Weininger's death, his friend Moritz Rappaport published "On the Last Things" (1904). Other posthumous works included "Love and Woman" (1917) and a collection of his notes and letters compiled by Arthur Gerber. Weininger's ideas continue to evoke controversy today.