Ludwig Feuerbach

Biography

It is the fourth wire of the lawyer Paul Johann Anselm von Feuerbach, who dealt in particular with the business Kaspar Hauser.

After secondary studies in its birthplace, Ludwig Feuerbach leaves in 1823 to study the Protestant Théologie with Heidelberg under the direction of Paulus and Carl Daub, this last being a burning partisan of Hegel. The following year, “already torn between the theology and philosophy”, and against the opinion of his father, it decides to go to Berlin to follow the courses of Hegel, and is impassioned immediately for the doctrines of the Master. It then gives up theology to be devoted definitively to philosophy, and, more particularly, with the defense and the propagation of the ideas hégéliennes.

It passes its doctorate to Erlangen, supporting the thesis “Of rations una, universali, infinita” (of the reason one, universal and infinite), which enables him to obtain in 1828 a post of free teacher (privat docent) at the university of this city. The boldness of some of its theories causes already many adversaries to him, and when in 1830 it publishes Pensées on death and immortality (Gedanken über Tod und Unsterblichkeit, Nuremberg) without name of author, this anonymity does not mislead anybody. It criticizes there the Christian designs of the heart; taking again with talent the arguments of the materialists, he refuses immortality with the person, granting it only to the Raison. The reactions are very sharp, even on behalf of some disciples of Hegel, who, frightened by his Athéisme, endeavor in their professions of faith to push back consequences that one could draw from their own works. After the polemic generated by this publication, regarded by some as an sworn enemy of the religion, it must leave its pulpit in 1832, and, after several rejected requests for post office (the last in 1836), it is resigned to give up any university career.

In 1837, it marries wealthy heiress, Bertha Loew , with which it has two girls, and who allows him to be devoted only to her writings. In 1838 - 1839, it writes several articles in the review of the hégéliens of left Annales of Market . It publishes there in 1839 the Contribution to the criticism of the philosophy hégélienne which marks its rupture with this current of thought. Several essential books follow, semi-philosophical, semi-monk, where the religion is implicitly sacrificed, and among whom one can quote his major work the Gasoline of Christianity , where he denounces the religious illusion. This book ensured a great success to him, Engels speaks " of libérateur" effect; , in particular with respect to the Hégélianisme and speaks about the time by saying " We became very of a blow all of the feuerbachiens". Nevertheless, the book of Stirner, the Single one and its property , appeared in 1844, carried violent one blows to the theses feuerbachiennes, the Man whom it exaltait as god of the man is denounced like a new transcendence, a new alienation. He will write then the Gasoline of the faith in the spirit of Luther , and a series of course to Frankfurt in 1848 - 1849. In 1845, Gasoline of the religion mark an inflection towards the naturalism.

In 1848, as a critical philosopher of the religion, it represents much for the protagonists of the revolution. Students even has a presentiment of it to come to expose the basic principles of its philosophy. It approaches the Socialisme then, and engages in policy. It is presented to the elections of the National Assembly of Frankfurt, but without success. After the failure of the revolution and the return in Germany of the Restoration, its theses lose of their influence in the opinion.

Starting from 1860 its material conditions become more difficult, following the bankruptcy of the manufacture of his wife. It must then leave the castle of Bruckberg, where it lived, to join Rechenberg close to Nuremberg. It dies there twelve years later on September 13rd, 1872.

Principal works

Thought on death and immortality ( Gedanken über Tod und Unsterblichkeit ), Nuremberg 1830, published originally without name of author;
History of modern philosophy, Bacon to Spinoza ( Geschichte DER neuern Philosophy,… ) Anspach 1833;
Abélard and Héloïse , Anspach 1834, collection of aphorisms;
Exposed, development and critical of the philosophy of Leibnitz ( Darstellung, Entwickelung und Kritik der Leibnitz' schen Philosophy ), Anspach 1837, where the author in vain tries to reconcile his philosophy with the religion;
Pierre Bayle at his times most interesting for the history of philosophy and humanity ( Pierre Bayle nach seinen für die Geschichte DER Philosophy und der Menschheit interessantesten Momenten ), Ansbach 1838;
Contribution to the criticism of philosophy hégélienne ( Zur Kritik der Hegelschen Philosophy ) 1839);
gasoline of Christianity ( das Wesen of Christenthums ), Leipzig 1841;
the Philosophy of the future ( Grundsätze DER Philosophy of Zukunft ), Zurich 1843;
provisional Theses for a reform of philosophy (1843);
Gasoline of the faith in the spirit of Luther ( das Wesen of Glaubens im Sinne Luther' S ), Leipzig 1844;
Gasoline of the religion ( das Wesen DER Religion ), Leipzig 1845;
Théogonie (1857);
Spiritualism and materialism (1858).

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