Philosophical views of Feuerbach were formed under the influence of Hegel's ideas. However subsequently he rejected idealism of the predecessor and strongly got up on a materialism position. Defining philosophy, Feuerbach recognized that in the center of any scientific system there has to be a person.
Feuerbach as representative of materialistic philosophy
The German philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872) was an adherent of materialism. The talented and witty writer, Feuerbach differed in passion and ardency. Throughout the scientist's life his philosophical views changed more than once. Feuerbach noted that first he was occupied by thoughts of God, then the attention switched to human mind, and then it concentrated on the person.
In days of youth Feuerbach prepared for career of the theologian. Then he was carried away by the philosophical system of Hegel. From it Feuerbach passed to development of the materialistic theory of knowledge. Own look of the German philosopher to the place of the person in the world was gradually created.
Ludwig Feuerbach and his definition of philosophy
Having torn with Hegel's idealism, Feuerbach began to consider matter as the infinite nature existing in space in time and in the continuous movement. The person at Feuerbach — an integral part of the nature.
Feuerbach defined the philosophy as anthropological science as in its center there was a person. However in representation of the German philosopher of people was only a biological being. In essence Feuerbach's philosophy represents anthropological materialism.
Putting the person in the center of the philosophical system, Feuerbach rejects the abstract idea of mankind. He is interested in the specific person possessing a body and vital needs. The philosopher considers all other points of view manifestation of idealism therefore they need to be rejected, he claims.
Through all philosophical system to Feuerbach the religion problem stands out. The philosopher considers that properties which the person attributes to the deities inherently represent purely human qualities. Ideas of God — only understanding by the person of and the nature. God, according to Feuerbach, is a mirror of the person.
Feuerbach's philosophy is in many respects similar to the French materialism of the 18th century. However definition of philosophy at Feuerbach suffers from a mekhanitsizm. The philosopher reduces all forms of motion to mechanical motion. Sharply criticizing Hegel's idealism, Feuerbach missed in his system the most important — dialectics, the idea of development.
As a result the materialistic philosophy of Feuerbach was materialism only on the one hand whereas the method of an explanation of public life remained unscientific, metaphysical.
Theory of knowledge of Feuerbach
The central part of a philosophical system of Feuerbach — his theory of knowledge. Feuerbach was convinced that reality, feelings and the truth are identical. Sensual it is always obvious. The doubt and scientific disputes disappear only where there is a sensuality. Feelings define quality of cognitive activity.
The weakness of the theory of Feuerbach is that he rejected a role of the general concepts of knowledge. A true source of knowledge according to Feuerbach — sensuality of the person.
Gnoseological part of philosophy of the German scientist allocates an important place for love and emotional aspect of life of the person.