HÖFFDING, HARALD. — Philosopher, b. in Copenhagen on 11 Jan. 1843, professor at the University there from 1883, d. there on 2 June 1931.
H. was particularly influenced by Kierkegaard, Kant, Schopenhauer and positivism. He opposed metaphysics and especially intuitionism. In religion he distinguished two aspects: an attempt at explaining the world, which, in his view, yields only negative results, and the affirmation of the existence of a system of values, which must be subjected to critical scrutiny and cannot conflict with the demands of modern conscience. To theological dogmas in philosophy there correspond problems. Besides philosophy of religion he devoted particular attention to psychology, ethics, epistemology and the history of modern philosophy.
Principal works (many of which have been translated into Italian, French, English and German, some also into Spanish, Polish, Russian, Finnish and even Japanese): Den nyere filosofis historie (History of Modern Philosophy, 2 vols., Copenhagen 1894-95, Ital. trans., 1st ed., Milan 1906); Psykologi i Omrids paa Grundlag af Erfaring (Outlines of Psychology on an Empirical Basis, Copenhagen 1881); Etik (ibid. 1887); Religionsfilosofi (ibid. 1901); Moderne Filosofer (ibid. 1904). He also wrote historical monographs on Kierkegaard, Rousseau, Bergson and the ethics of Spinoza. In Danish only: Mindre Arbejder (Minor Works); Oplevelse og Tydning (Immediate Feeling [Erlebnis, feeling] and Significance, ibid. 1918); Udtagte Skrifter (Selected Writings, 7 vols., ibid. 1902 ff.); Danske Filosofers (Danish Philosophers, ibid. 1919).