Ludwig Feuerbach

Rodney F. Taylor

Ed. by Gerhard P. Knapp, University of Utah
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.4.1: German-language Writing and Culture: Germany, 500-present.
Vol. editors: Gerhard P. Knapp (University of Utah), Jennifer Marston William (Purdue University), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jill E. Twark (East Carolina University)

Dates

Born 28 Jul 1804
Died 13 Sep 1872
Activity 1824-1872

Places

Born in Germany
Active in Germany

Activities

Primary

Philosopher

Resources

Ludwig Feuerbach's theoretical genius is equaled by the perfection of his style of writing. His philosophical theory envisions humanity's potential to overcome the theological maladies that perpetuate alienation, superstition and oppression. In particular he proposed that the human idea of “God” or “the Divine” is a projection of what is best in the human spirit, so we should realize that the “supreme being” is but an expression of our own human capability. However, because the individual human fails in his/her own highest aspirations, so he/she alienates the idea of God from him/herself, making God into an Other and denying his/her own capability of divinity. This act of alienation also often involves the body and its …

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3821 words

Citation: Taylor, Rodney F.. "Ludwig Feuerbach". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 April 2007 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1515, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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