Date of Birth: April 3, 1880
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: October 4, 1903
Biography
Otto Weininger was an Austrian philosopher, born on April 3, 1880, in Vienna, Austria. He is best known for his controversial and influential work “Geschlecht und Charakter” (“Sex and Character”), published in 1903. Weininger’s philosophy largely revolves around issues of gender, sexuality, and identity, and he is often cited in discussions about existentialism and psychoanalysis. His work had a profound impact on notable figures of his time, including Sigmund Freud and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Weininger was a prodigy, displaying remarkable intellectual abilities from a young age. He studied at the University of Vienna, where he was deeply influenced by the works of Immanuel Kant and Arthur Schopenhauer. Despite his promising academic career, Weininger struggled with personal issues, particularly related to his identity and self-worth. Tragically, Otto Weininger’s life was cut short when he took his own life on October 4, 1903, at the age of 23, in the house where Ludwig van Beethoven had died in Vienna. His death added a poignant note to his already controversial and thought-provoking work, ensuring his place in the annals of philosophical and cultural history.
5 Interesting Facts about Otto Weininger
1. Otto Weininger converted to Christianity from Judaism shortly before his death.
2. His book “Sex and Character” was initially rejected by publishers, but it gained significant attention posthumously.
3. Weininger had a profound influence on several notable thinkers, including James Joyce and Karl Kraus.
4. He believed that all people possess both masculine and feminine qualities, but that the ideal human was purely masculine.
5. Weininger’s philosophy has been both highly criticized and highly praised, making him a polarizing figure in philosophical circles.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Otto Weininger
1. “A man is himself important precisely in proportion that all things seem important to him.”
2. “There is no fundamental difference between man and woman; but the difference in degree between them is fundamental.”
3. “The deepest root of the problem of love lies in the fact that the soul itself is divided.”
4. “Man is good in so far as he strives for perfection.”
5. “The ultimate worth of the human being is to be measured by the extent to which he has attained liberation from the self.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Otto Weininger’s highest net worth is not documented, as his life was cut short and he did not accumulate significant wealth.
Children
Otto Weininger did not have any children.
Relevant Links
2. [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Otto Weininger](https://iep.utm.edu/weininge/
3. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Otto-Weininger
4. [Jewish Virtual Library: Otto Weininger](https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/otto-weininger
5. [Otto Weininger’s works on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/author/Weininger,+Otto
