ABSTRACT
Feuerbach's influence on the development of the young or left Hegelian movement began with the publication in 1839 of towards a critique of Hegel's philosophy. This essay not only demonstrates that Hegel's philosophical system and method are contradictory and tautological, it also positively established the basic tenets of Feuerbach's own philosophy. The naturalism, sensualism and humanism of Feuerbach's thought are here clearly expressed. The influence of Feuerbach on Marx's thought seems to end with the German ideology, a work in which Marx and Engels subject Feuerbach to an extensive theoretical attack and develop their own revolutionary 'practical materialism' which is at once a critique of and an alternative to Feuerbach's 'contemplative materialism'. Marx was initially attracted to Feuerbach's thought because of its political unity in criticising the young Hegelians who attempted to develop the 'revolutionary' side of Hegelian philosophy and who depreciated the role of 'the masses' in political change.
