Sigmund Freud's intensive reading of Ludwig Feuerbach

In 1874-1875, as a secondyear student at the University of Vienna, Sigmund Freud intensively read the works of the philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach. Flistorians of psychoanalysis have recognized Feuerbach's influence on Freud, especially in relation to questions of religion, but the deeper appreciation of Feuerbach's influence has yet to be fathomed. At the time Freud praised Feuerbach as the man whom I revere and admire most among all philosophers.' And even though Freud confessed 51 years later that he couldn't recall any lasting impact upon him of Feuerbach's ideas, scholars have repeatedly called for a detailed look at the relationship between Feuerbach and Freud's writings. This essay takes up the challenge by examining the corpus of Feuerbach's writings in relation to specific aspects of Freud's work.