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Single Idea 6911

[from 'Principles of Philosophy of the Future' by Ludwig Feuerbach, in 28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 4. God Reflects Humanity ]

Full Idea

God exists, but he is for us a tabula rasa, an empty being, a mere idea; God, as we conceive and think of him, is our ego, our mind, and our essence.

Clarification

A 'tabula rasa' is a blank page

Gist of Idea

God is for us a mere empty idea, which we fill with our own ego and essence

Source

Ludwig Feuerbach (Principles of Philosophy of the Future [1843], §17)

Book Reference

Feuerbach,Ludwig: 'Principles of the Philosophy of the Future', ed/tr. Vogel,M [Hackett 1986], p.29


A Reaction

He accepted God's existence because of the Ontological Argument. This is a little stronger than Hume's view (Idea 2185), because Hume seems to be talking about imagining God, but Feuerbach says this is our understanding of God.

Related Idea

Idea 2185 The idea of an infinite, intelligent, wise and good God arises from augmenting the best qualities of our own minds [Hume]