1

Man’s Search for Meaning

Student's Name

Institutional Affiliation

Assignment Due Date

 2

Man’s Search for Meaning

Victor Frankl, in his book, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ of 1946 share his experience

while he was prisoner during World War II at Nazi concentration camps. Frankl had a

psychotherapeutic technique of getting into the best of his moods and remaining positive. The

man identified a purpose in life and thought so much about it in a positive way and deeply

imagining the results. He believed that the way an inmate imagined the future determined their

longevity (Frankl 2017). Frankl wrote the book to communicate the manner in which everyday

life in the prison reflected in the mind of an average man. The book has two separate sections;

part one that widely shares and analyses Frankl’s experience in the prison and part two that

explains the idea of logotherapy. Part two introduces Frankl’s ideas of meaning.

Logotherapy physiology was developed by Frankl at his time in the prison. It is the

therapeutic method that assist people to find personal meaning in life. It is a psychotherapy in a

way and that engage the mind into positive thinking. Logotherapy focuses on the future and

one’s ability to endure suffering and hardship in their lives as they search for their purpose.

Victor Frankl is appreciated and recognized for the development of this theory. The experience

by Frankl had him classify the theory in three distinct subjects

The idea of existentiality came in after WWII and he defined it as a feeling many had at

the moment that life was meaningless. Existential volume is finding room through boredom due

to fallen tradition that helped cover great loses, leading to distress. He argues that psychoanalysis

is key in treating neuroses, but in addition to other mechanisms. The philosophy relates to a

phenomenon common in the twentieth century. People failed to notice the meaning of life with

inability of reconciliation among the people and the atrocities committed during the war.

However, Frankl remained firm on is idea that life had a meaning despite survival with the
 3

atrocities as well. The inner tension created in one as he or she looks foe the meaning of life is

important and necessary according to Frankl. It is the inner tension that drives one into believing

that there is more to life than what appears on the surface. Having the knowledge of the reason to

live makes one survives all outcomes of life as Nietzsche states, “He who has a why to live for

can bear almost any how.” Frankl believes that the essence of existence hold s a responsibility to

man (Frankl 2017). We have a responsibility over others and to life. Life requires that everybody

makes good use of their time on earth. Each individual has their own concrete purpose in life. He

believes one cannot be repeated or replaced.

Super-meaning gives a broader meaning to life, death and suffering that which is beyond

the understanding of man. We should believe that the answer to the whys exist but not to be

accessed by people. They have a spiritual basis but does not need one to be spiritual to accept

their existence. The answers are, however, real and concreate. Frankl makes it clear that love is

the only way one can grab another man’s innermost personality. Understanding and appreciating

a person requires one to love the person first. It is through love that you can identify one’s

potential. Suffering make part and parcel of human life. A complete life has the difficulties,

death and suffering. It is the role of man too comprehend how best he can respond to the

sufferings. What counts the most is our reaction to suffering.

Most people think that the transitory nature of life makes it useless. The only transitory

section of life in potential one has not yet realized or achieved. Achieved potentials become

realities that are preserved in the past. Man has a role to make the potentials realities. As one

ages, they should think of the things they have achieved in life and not the less days they have

left (Frankl 2017). Most existentialists are concerned with the transitory nature of life. However,
 4

Frankl does not pay attention to the transitory nature of life and rather. Frankl is a believer in the

transitory nature of the future, that offer potentials that man live to.

Frankl handles logitherapy through three philosophical and psychological concepts.

Firstly, freedom of will marks the beginning of the discussion of existential analysis. The

concept discusses that humans are partly subject to condition and free to make decision and take

stance on internal and external factors. In addition to the reacting abilities of humans, they are

autonomous and capable of taking their stance to decide their lives and fate. Freedom according

to Frankl is spiritual, which is an important human realm, exceeding the body and psyche. The

freedom is the space individuals have to shape the direction of their lives but within the limits of

possibilities.

Psychotherapy largely depends on the freedom of a human person. Freedom provides

opportunities for autonomous actions even times of difficulties, suffering, sickness and somatic

illnesses. It enables individuals to cope with the difficulties they are going through while

regaining control and self-determination.

Secondly, the will to meaning is another concept of psychotherapy that will portrays in

logotherapy and existential existence. It is a belief that humans are free to something or to make

a particular achievement or to meet a purpose. Meaning is the primary motivation to humans. In

case one does not realize their will to meaning in life, they feel empty and meaningless (Frankl

2017). This is followed with frustrations caused by existential need for meaning causing

depression and aggression. It consequently leads to neurotic disorders, suicides and possible drug

addiction. The idea enables clients to remove and comprehend the factors that prevent them from

chasing their meaningful goals in their goals. The client get sensitization on the for the

importance of meaning possibilities. The meanings to life, however, are not specific and no
 5

specific response is given. The idea guides individuals in realizing the meaning possibilities the

individuals have realized by themselves.

The third concept of the psychotherapy employed is meaning in life. It is glued on the

fact that life is a reality and not a mere illusion or imagination. Humans are called upon by life to

take up their freedom and responsibility, to stand strong in bringing out the best of themselves,

by realizing and comprehending the meaning of every moment of their lives (Frankl 2017). The

meanings of life are linked to specific situations and continuously change from one person to the

next. The meaning of life is not general as per the context. The people are guided in making

informed life shaping activities in a meaningful way.

Frankl’s idea is true since they point to the facts of life. I am a believer in meaning of life

and the fact that life is unconditional since we have the chance to guide our lives to a particular

direction.
 6

References

Frankl, V. E. (2017). Man's Search for Meaning: Young Adult Edition: Young Adult Edition.

Beacon Press.