Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #218550 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Synopsis
The most important work of the famed German philosopher, this 1841 polemic asserts that religion and divinity are outward projections of inner human nature. Feuerbach's critique of Hegelian idealism excited immediate international attention - Marx and Engels were particularly influenced.This acclaimed translation is by the celebrated English novelist George Eliot.

Customer Reviews

A document of human motivation
I read this book in search of the philosophical roots of Max Stirner, author of The Ego and Its Own. For this purpose, the book is excellent; you can see where Max Stirner came from on a number of issues that had hitherto seemed a bit cloudy to me - both in what Stirner reacts to and what he has drawn on.

The book is, however, a very compelling read in its own right as well. Feuerbach takes us through literally the whole catalogue of Christian belief, and shows us how each item of belief is explained at least as well - or perhaps even better - as an anthropomorphism rather than as a supernatural manifestation. It must be said, though, that each single one of his arguments on their own do not lead to such a conviction. Just like you are not convinced that the dice are loaded by getting 6 once or twice, you will not be convinced if anthropomorphism fits the bill of Christianity in a few single instances. However - analogously with the dice - when you strike 6 nearly every time, you will be convinced that the dice are loaded.

If I have a criticism of Feuerbach, it is that after he has revealed the Essence of Christianity as being the worship of Man, he keeps the essence and only discards the accidental properties of Christianity, i.e. the supernaturalism. This was also what Max Stirner called him on. But my disagreement does not mean a disparagement of the value of the book. So I recommend it as a read.

The Essence of Christianity
As the title suggests, Feuerbach is concerned in this book with describing the essence of Christianity. This is not a theological argument in support of atheism, but rather an argument against belief in a particular notion of God, namely that concept of God which denies that God is to be found in the predicates.

ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!!!
From all the books I read so far, this one has touched me the most. Feuerbach's way of theorising is totally compelling and his words are completly overpowering. This is the MOST BEAUTIFUL, MOST POWERFUL and MOST HUMANE piece of literature I've ever come across. I recommend this book with all my heart!