# Feuerbach — The Genealogy of Morals character guide

> Feuerbach in The Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0011-first-essay

## Who they are

Philosopher whose projection theory of religion is referenced in the critique of asceticism.

## Relationships

### [the Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/the_germans)

_psychological_

Feuerbach's humanistic critique of religion influenced German thought, but Nietzsche viewed him as part of the herd mentality he despised.

### [Richard Wagner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/richard_wagner)

_psychological_

Feuerbach's humanism influenced Wagner's early thought, but Nietzsche saw both as part of the same herd-like, life-denying trend.

### [Wagnerian Parsifal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/wagnerian_parsifal)

_psychological_

Feuerbach's reduction of religion to human projection finds a parallel in Wagner's Parsifal, which Nietzsche sees as a decadent religious fantasy.

## In the story

### [Parsifal and the Ascetic Ideal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/3)

Mentioned as an influence on Wagner's earlier advocacy of 'healthy sensuality' during the 1830s and 1840s.

## Links

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