Sex And Character: An Investigation Of Fundamental Principles
Otto Weininger (Author), Laura Marcus (Co-author), Daniel Steuer (Coordinator)
Find this book at buch7.de | eurobuch.com | buchhandel.de | books.google.com ASIN=0253344719, Category: Philosophy, Language: E, cover: HC, pages: 496, year: 2005(1903).
A different version (AUTHORISED TRANSLATION FROM THE SIXTH GERMAN EDITION, 1906) of this book is online. One quote from the beginning of the book:
- NOTE TO THE SIXTH GERMAN EDITION
(By the German Publisher)
There are few instances in the history of literature in which a work so mature in its scientific purpose and so original in its philosophic aspect as "Sex and Character" has been produced by a student who was at the time of its completion less than thirty years of age. "Sex and Character" was at once accepted by scientific authorities, who had direct knowledge of its subject matter, as a book that demanded respectful consideration, whether or not its conclusions might be accepted. It may at once be admitted that the book is by no means in harmony with contemporary thought. If the conclusions of Weininger should be accepted, discussions concerning the emancipation of women, the relation of women to culture, and the results of sexuality would be deprived of their foundation. In this treatise, we have presented, with all the penetrating acumen of the trained logician, a characterisation of sexual types, "M" (the ideal man), and "W" (the ideal woman). The psychological phenomena are traced back to a final source and the author undertakes to present what he believes to be a definitive solution altogether alien to the field of inquiry wherein the answer has hitherto been sought."
Here are some quotes - how could OW possibly know all this?
- p37: "Men when quite young, say under twenty, are attracted by much older women (say
those of thirty-five and so on), whilst men (of thirty-five) [with growing age] are attracted
by [ever younger] women (much younger than themselves).
So also, on the other hand, quite young girls (sweet seventeen) generally
prefer much older men, but, later in life, (may marry striplings) [not rarely
break marriage with very young men). The whole subject deserves close attention
and is both popular and easily noticed."