Eric Hobsbawm on La-Bas

I unconditionally repudiate absolute, immaterial, self-sufficing speculation,–that speculation which draws its material from within. I differ toto coelo from those philosophers who pluck out their eyes that they may see better; for my thoughts I require the senses, especially sight; I found my ideas on materials which can be appropriated only through the activity of the senses. — Ludwig Feuerbach, The Essence of Christianity, xviii