Feuerbach's "pneumatische Wasserheilkunde"

pp. 67-85

in: Lenart Škof, Breath of proximity, Berlin, Springer, 2015

Abstract

In this chapter, we follow Feuerbach's teaching on the elements of water (and air) and his original philosophy of sensibility. We interpret the role of water and air within Feuerbach's "pneumatic water therapy" (pneumatische Wasserheilkunde). We interpret the role of the water in its capability to serve as a mediator between the newly invented ritual space of the human body itself. Just as in Christianity water plays a mediating role between our bodies and the Holy Spirit, in a philosophically ritualised sense it is precisely water that has a strong mediating role between the body/Nature and thought/sensibility (Sinnlichkeit). Feuerbach's philosophy is interpreted as a key mediating stage between the classical German Idalism and new trends in philosophy (materialism, elements, breath, sensibility, corporeality).