Thoughts on Death and Immortality: From the Papers of a Thinker, along with an Appendix of Theological Satirical Epigrams, Edited by One of his Friends [Paperback]

Ludwig Feuerbach (Author), James A. Massey (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 1981

Never translated before, 'Thoughts on Death and Immortality' was the first published work of Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872). The scandal created by portrayal of Christianity as an egoistic and inhumane religion cost the young Hegelian his job and, to some extent, his career. Joining philosophical argument to epigram, lyric, and satire, the work has three central arguments: first, a straightforward denial of the Christian belief in personal immortality; second, a plea for recognition of the inexhaustible quality of the only life we have; and third, a derisive assault on the posturings and hypocrisies of the professional theologians of nineteenth-century Germany.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 263 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (February 25, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520040627
• ISBN-13: 978-0520040625
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #922,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The answer is here if you are truly looking, November 16, 2007

By 

Craig Miller "Craig" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thoughts on Death and Immortality: From the Papers of a Thinker, along with an Appendix of Theological Satirical Epigrams, Edited by One of his Friends (Paperback)

I bought this book in 1997 after a long search for a non-religious, non-supernatural explanation for the big questions: What is the meaning of life? Why does anything exist at all? What is the ultimate purpose of existence? How and why did the universe become conscious?

Feuerbach is clever in that he gives you all the information you need to find these answers yourself without ever actually summing it up in a tidy one-sentence answer (although it "is" there if you know how to read between the lines). This is the best possible way to do it, but it can be maddening to someone who is incapable of comprehending and piecing together the enormous concepts that are brought forth in this book. Through simple observation of the natural world, Feuerbach has unlocked a code that is reflected in not only the natural world, but in everything: the sub-atomic world, the human experience, space, time, consciousness, love and eternity.

After reading this book (which took several months, because I made every effort to grasp the meaning of every sentence before as I went), I had an epiphany which changed forever the way I look at my life, existence and God.

Be warned, this book is not for the lazy-minded. It is a text-book (in a way) which trains your mind to see things that have always been there but, much like a "Magic Eye" picture, were previously hidden.

A "bible" of sorts for the aspiring thinker!

3 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars YUK!, May 13, 2001

By 

Jimmy Porter (Dubois, Wy USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thoughts on Death and Immortality: From the Papers of a Thinker, along with an Appendix of Theological Satirical Epigrams, Edited by One of his Friends (Paperback)

When I received the book, I thought wow. It is a glossy, hard cover (sort of) paperback. It looked so promising. However, when I went to read the book I was flustered. The author writes in sentences and word combinations that to me spell "I don't know what I'm talking about so I'll use these sentence structures so I look good".

Beyond this, I tried to understand his work. He had no concrete authority for some of his thoughts. I do not think you can just espouse a theory without providing hooks to help it stand up to argument. Really it is just a book of opinions written in gobbldy gook.

I do not recommend you buy this book or this author.

Jimmy