RV
Richard von Krafft-Ebing
24quotes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Richard von Krafft-Ebing
Birth and Death Dates
May 10, 1848 - August 22, 1902
Nationality and Profession(s)
German psychiatrist, sexologist, and criminologist
Early Life
Richard von Krafft-Ebing was born in Freiburg im Breisgau, Grand Duchy of Baden (now Germany) on May 10, 1848. He came from a family of modest means and was the second child of Karl Ludwig Friedrich von Krafft-Ebing and his wife, Friederike Christiane Eckenstädt. Von Krafft-Ebing's early life was marked by a deep interest in science and philosophy, which would eventually shape his career as a psychiatrist.
Education and Training
Von Krafft-Ebing studied medicine at the University of Tübingen, where he graduated in 1872 with a degree in medicine. He then went on to work under notable psychiatrists of the time, including Emil du Bois-Reymond and Hermann Oppenheim. His early training laid the groundwork for his later contributions to the field of psychiatry.
Major Accomplishments
Von Krafft-Ebing's most significant contribution was in the development of sexology as a distinct field of study. He believed that human sexuality was a legitimate area of scientific inquiry, and he spent much of his career researching and writing about the subject. His work had a profound impact on our understanding of human behavior, particularly with regards to deviant or abnormal behaviors.
Notable Works or Actions
Von Krafft-Ebing's magnum opus is undoubtedly _Psychopathia Sexualis_ (1886), which remains one of the most influential texts in the field of sexology. This comprehensive work covers a wide range of topics, including sexual perversion, fetishism, and masochism. His research was groundbreaking at the time, as it presented human sexuality as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon worthy of scientific study.
Impact and Legacy
Von Krafft-Ebing's work had far-reaching consequences for our understanding of human behavior and mental health. He helped to shift the focus from punitive measures towards treatment and prevention, which remains an essential principle in modern psychiatry. His emphasis on the importance of context and environment in shaping individual behavior also laid the groundwork for later developments in psychology.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Von Krafft-Ebing is widely quoted and remembered due to his pioneering work in sexology, as well as his commitment to a more nuanced understanding of human behavior. His writing has had a lasting impact on our comprehension of the complexities of human sexuality and continues to be studied by scholars today.
In summary, Richard von Krafft-Ebing's contributions to psychiatry and sexology have left an indelible mark on modern thought. His groundbreaking work in _Psychopathia Sexualis_ remains a testament to his dedication to understanding the intricacies of human behavior.
Quotes by Richard von Krafft-Ebing
Richard von Krafft-Ebing's insights on:
"
He soon recognized the fact that the stimulus proceeded from the idea to be in the power of a woman rather than from the act of violence itself.
"
All my joys resemble more a momentary intoxication than the real gold of happiness. It was all but an illusion.
"
I have fooled life and life has fooled me. We are quits. I say good-bye. Think sometimes in the hour of happiness of your poor, comical fool who loved you truly and so well.
"
There are men who have themselves whipped simply to increase their sexual pleasure. These, in contrast with true masochists, regard flagellation as a means to an end.
"
Purely sensual love is never true or lasting, for which reason first love is, as a rule, but a passing infatuation, a fleeting passion. – Richard Von Krafft.
"
Nature has made a mistake in the choice of my sexuality and I must do a life-long penance for it, for the moral power to suffer the unavoidable with dignity is lost.
"
The result of this marriage was, after five years, two children, and a collection of seventy-two wigs.
"
CASE 116. L., aged thirty-seven, clerk, from tainted family, had his first erection at five years, when he saw his bed-fellow—an aged relative—put on his night-cap.
Showing 1 to 10 of 24 results