For 10 points, name this German philosopher who wrote The Essence of Christianity.
In one work, this thinker argued that the fear of nothingness brought about the creation of deities, while in another work he used an ellipse with two focal points to demonstrate a "new" philosophy based on empiricism and sensuousness. In addition to writing Theogonie and Principles of the Philosophy of the Future, this thinker also believed that the goal to live forever was pure egoist. Max Stirner, a fellow member of the Young (*) Hegelians, wrote a criticism of this author of Thoughts on Death and Immortality after the publication of his most famous work; that work posits that belief in God results from the externalization of human nature. For 10 points, name this German philosopher who wrote The Essence of Christianity.
In one work, this thinker argued that the fear of nothingness brought about the creation of deities, while in another work he used an ellipse with two focal points to demonstrate a "new" philosophy based on empiricism and sensuousness.
Ludwig Feuerbach