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https://religiousmatters.nl/der-mensch-ist-was-er-isst/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ludwig-Feuerbach

http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/bce/feuerbach.htm

http://search.ebscohost.com.frccwc.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=89405605&site=eds-live.

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Quote from "Der Mensch ist was er isst."

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Quote from "Der Mensch ist was er isst."

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"The food becomes blood, the blood becomes heart and brain, and thoughts and ethos. Human food is the foundation of human education and ethos. If you want to improve the people, give them better food instead of declamations against sin. The human being is what he/she eats. Who enjoys only vegetable-diet is also only a vegetating being, has no energy." (Feuerbach)

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Feuerbach states that food would make humanity better but what about other external outlets? Like housing, the environment, work? Would those kinds of things have a impact on our connection of mind and soul?

What does Feuerbach exactly mean when he says that God is a "wish?" What do you think he means?

How does creating a supernatural being that "watches" over people benefit society? What do people gain from this?

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I find that Feuerbach presents some exemplary examples of his view of religion and society. I also find his explanation of how food connects the body and soul very intriguing. His work on how food can promote a better society is what I find to be the most fascinating. From his ideas I would say he is a reductionist, he believes that everything that makes up our consciousness comes from external factors which would showcase his belief that better food would make better people (in a sense.) His reductionist views can also be seen in religion, he believes that God is just a reflection created by people to better serve human needs. He sees God as an external outlet that impacts our internal needs. While I am not a reductionist, I find some truth in his words. Humans are limited to the body we reside in and the nature of our existence, we are unable to become anything other then minds trapped in bodies. However, our minds see much more than our bodies allow and this ability has made us believe in things much bigger than ourselves. The things that we cannot conquer, are the things we long for, and because of this we attribute these characteristics to a being who is not of our human nature. Religion and God are the things we created that hold all the things we "wish" to be. Jesus died and was then resurrected is our wish to live infinitely, jesus healed the sick and helped the poor, we wish to live in a society where people were free from illnesses and were able to live comfortably without the need of money. I believe that Feuerbach is correct in his analysis that God is a mirror, God is meant to mirror the things that are not apart of human nature and is meant to give hope to the hopeless.

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Feuerbach stated that the foundation of social/political thought should be focused on people's material needs.

An individual's mind is the product of the environment and that our consciousness comes from sensory organs and external simulation (He sounds like a reductionist to me.)

One of his works, "Der Mensch ist was er isst" (A Man is what He Eats) which advocated that humankind could become better if we ate better food.

He created a movement towards a more materialistic interpretation of society.

My question: While reading about this I found it difficult to figure out what exactly sensationalistic materialism really is. From your own perspective, what does it mean to you? And what kind of movement would that mean for society?

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He believed that the existence of religion served as a psychological need and that the worship of God was like worshiping an "idealized self."

In one of his publications, he stated that society should not be God-centered but should instead be human-centered. He saw God as being a mirror of humans, a being that was created for own satisfactions.

He understood that God was a creation of man and that religion served to help us with our needs, thoughts, and perceptions.

“false or theological essence of religion,” contending that the view that God has an existence independent of human existence leads to a belief in revelation and sacraments, which are items of an undesirable religious materialism." (Britannica)

Believed that religion was created by humans as a way to expand beyond their natural limitations. However, he also stated that this notion has lead us to deny our independence and place our hopes and dreams on a "wish."

He viewed religion as an "objectification of human wishing about limitless existence." (Western Theology)

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Gedanken über Tod und Unsterblichkeit, 1830

Geschichte der neueren Philosophie, von Bacon von Verulam bis Benedict Spnoza, 1833

Abelard und Heloise, 1834

Kritik das 'anti-Hegels', 1835

Pierre Bayle, 1838

Über Philosophie und Christentum, 1839

"Der wahre Gesichtspunkt aus welchem der Leo-Hegelsche Streit beurtheilt werden muß" 1839

"Zur kritik der hegel'schen Philosophie," 1839 (English trans. "Toward a Critique of Hegel's Philosophy")

Das Wesen der Religion, 1841 (English trans. Essence of Christianity)

Sämmtliche Werke, 1846-49

Vorlesungen über das Wesen der Religion. Nebst Zusätzen und Anmerkungen, 1851 (English trans. Lectures of The Essence of Christianity)

Principles of Philosophy of the Future, 1843

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Feuerbach argued that God was a human invention, made to help us deal with our fears and aspirations.

Also stated that the Christian God is an illusion.

God's inner self is a man's external projection.

Advocated for atheism and anthropological materialism.

God's aspects correspond to the different needs of human nature.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ludwig-Feuerbach

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Full name: Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach

Born on July 28th, 1804 in Landshut, Germany - died on September 13th, 1872 in Rechenberg, Germany.

His main interest was in the philosophy of religion

He influenced many including Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud.

Best known for his works, The Essence of Christianity.