Franz Pfender

Franz Pfender (1880-1945) was a German philosopher and psychologist associated with phenomenology and, particularly, realism within the phenomenological movement. He was a prominent figure in the Munich Circle, a group of philosophers influenced by Edmund Husserl's phenomenology but who diverged from Husserl's transcendental idealism, advocating instead for a form of phenomenological realism.

Pfender's philosophical work focused on areas such as the theory of knowledge, ethics, and psychology. He developed a distinctive approach to the relationship between consciousness and the external world, emphasizing the possibility of direct, intuitive access to real objects and states of affairs. His ethical theory was grounded in the concept of value and the objective existence of moral norms.

A significant contribution by Pfender lies in his exploration of what he called "motivation." He analyzed the different types of motives that drive human action, distinguishing between rational, emotional, and habitual motives. His work on motivation has been influential in both philosophy and psychology, contributing to a deeper understanding of human behavior and decision-making processes.

Pfender's career was impacted by the rise of Nazism in Germany. He was eventually dismissed from his academic position due to his political views and resistance to the regime. He died in 1945 shortly after the end of World War II. Despite the challenges he faced, Pfender left behind a substantial body of philosophical work that continues to be studied and debated by scholars interested in phenomenology, realism, ethics, and psychology. His writings offer a valuable perspective on the relationship between consciousness, reality, and human action.