After retiring, Dörpfeld devoted himself to writing, most importantly The Connection Between Thought and Memory (Denken und Gedächtnis: eine psychologische Monographie, 1886).

[2][4] Dörpfeld adopted the pedagogical methods of Johann Friedrich Herbart (1776–1841), called Herbartianism, and applied them to the elementary school level.

[2] Herbart's philosophy viewed individuals as always socially situated, molded by their environment, and subject to study only through empirical means.

[5] Dörpfeld emphasized the social aspects of schooling even more than Herbart, and was convinced that sociology should not be taught as a distinct discipline but should instead inform the teaching of subjects such as history and geography.

Moreover, Dörpfeld believed that schools should be completely self-governing in internal matters and free from influence of both secular and church authorities.

[4] Dörpfeld retired in 1880 because of asthma and focused on writing, his most important work being The Connection Between Thought and Memory (Denken und Gedächtnis: eine psychologische Monographie, 1886).

[2][3] Dörpfeld also wrote widely on pedagogy, psychology, and philosophy; for example On Ethics (Zur Ethik, published 1895), which is considered his most important philosophical work.