A Man’s Search for Meaning

A Man’s Search for Meaning • Logotherapy • By Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl • Author of the book • Written as a vivid portrayal of his personal suffering and tragedy in the concentration camps • The book is written to reflect the horrors of all who experienced imprisonment rather than Frankl’s individual experiences • He is a Psychiatrist; his professional experience is a relevant component to his character

Capos • Prisoners who acted as trustees to the Nazi officers in return for special treatment and privileges within the camp. • They were spared beatings and malnourishment • A psychological factor in that they betrayed fellow citizens for favor from their captor • They are presented to describe prison life and as an example of the evil that exists in humans

SS Officers • Official soldiers of the Nazi government • They held in their hands decisions regarding a prisoner’s life or death

Concentration Camps • They are most relevant due to their impact on the human psyche rather than as specific places • They are discussed collectively to reflect the human state of mind and behavioral responses to the captivity and brutality that was common to all concentration camps • Auschwitz, Dachau and an unnamed Bavarian camp receive individual mention

Three Phases of Psychological Reactions • Three psychological reactions were common to all prisoners, which occurred in a sequential manner: shock, apathy and readjusting to freedom

Logotherapy • A meaning-centered psychological approach designed to help people accomplish what Frankl believes is the primary source of human motivation- finding meaning in life.

Ways of Discovering Meaning • Doing a deed • Experiencing something or encountering someone • A person’s attitude toward suffering

Undernourishment • 10(?) ounces of bread • 1 (?) pint of thin soup • Prisoners watch themselves disintegrate into emaciated beings • This creates a primitive desire for food of which mental life centered

Death in Teheran • Parable referenced several times • Used to illustrate the concept that fate is often beyond the control of individual actions • Humans cannot control all things • It is important to choose honorable attitudes and behaviors toward those things that cannot be changed

Choice of Action • A central theme to the book: humans have the psychological freedom to select their own thoughts and behaviors no matter what variables define the situation • In the camps there were enough heroic examples to indicate that even in conditions of horrible stress humans control the independence of their mind, and are capable of overcoming whatever negativity is thrust on them.

Existential Frustration • Human’s search for meaning is a fundamental motive of their existence • Meaning is not something that comes easily to people • It requires deep personal understanding of one’s own history and goals and can be an aggravating process

Existential Vacuum • The inability to find meaning in life, leading to boredom and distress • Frankl attributes many psychological afflictions such as depression, aggression, and addiction to the existential vacuum.

Tragic Optimism • Genuine optimism even in the face of extremely negative circumstances • Optimistic mindset allows people the opportunity to turn suffering into achievement, improve oneself and act to take responsibility

Themes • Choosing one’s feelings • The need to discover the meaning of one’s existence • Ways of discovering meaning

Point of View • Autobiographical • Begins by discussing Frankl’s personal experiences • He then moves to a more clinical style where he interjects his professional beliefs of human psychology in the third person.

Language and Meaning • Format reminiscent of a journal • Creates a distinct picture of the environment and allows the reader to empathize with him • He also writes about the psychology of this traumatic experience; with this language the reader identifies with the injustice, despair, fear and sense of hopelessness

A Man’s Search for Meaning