Ludwig Feuerbach

Ludwig Feuerbach:

• Born: July 28, 1804
• Died: September 13, 1872
• Biography:
  • Early Life: Feuerbach was born in Landshut, Bavaria. His father was a renowned jurist, and his family was intellectually prominent.
  • Education: He studied theology at the University of Heidelberg and then philosophy at the University of Berlin, where he came under the influence of Hegel.
  • Philosophical Work: Feuerbach is best known for his book “The Essence of Christianity” (1841), where he argued that religious belief is a projection of human qualities. For Feuerbach, God is a symbol of humanity’s potential, and religious belief is an expression of human nature.
  • Influence on Marx: Feuerbach’s criticism of religion and emphasis on humanism had a significant impact on young radical thinkers of his time, including Marx. However, Marx felt that Feuerbach did not go far enough and criticised his ideas for remaining in the realm of philosophy and not translating into practical, societal change.
  • Later Life: Despite his early influence, Feuerbach’s prominence waned in his later years. He struggled financially and was somewhat isolated from the intellectual community.
  • Death: He died in relative obscurity in 1872 in Rechenberg, Germany.

Theses on Feuerbach:

• Karl Marx wrote a “Theses on Feuerbach” 1845 but it was not published until 1888. Friedrich Engels published it after Marx’s death
• Content: The theses are a set of 11 short notes, and they are a critical engagement with the philosophical ideas of Ludwig Feuerbach. They mark a significant turning point in Marxist thought, emphasising not just interpretation but active change.

Feuerbach’s work played a vital role in the transition from Hegelian idealism to the materialism of Marx and Engels. Although his own ideas have somewhat fallen out of focus, his influence on subsequent generations of thinkers, especially in the realm of philosophy, theology, and social theory, remains significant.