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Heba Rika K. Nongkhlaw

Dr. Bhowmick

DSEC – 605 (Theory and Text)

25th October, 2024

Frankl's own theory of Logotherapy is central to understanding Man’s Search for

Meaning. Discuss.

Logotherapy is a therapeutic approach that was founded by Austrian psychiatrist,

psychologist and Holocaust survivor, Victor Emil Frankl, after he survived the Auschwitz

concentration camps during World War II. He mentions this therapeutic approach in his

famous book, Man’s Search for Meaning, published in 1946, where his experiences, as a

prisoner, were chronicled.

In Man’s Search for Meaning, logotherapy becomes the main theme. In his book, Frankl

describes the horrible circumstances that he and his comrades faced. The living conditions,

the “huts” that they were made to live in, the daily ration of food that they were given, which

led them to starvation, the injustice that was shown to them by the SS soldiers. Frankl’s

descriptions of what they faced gave more of a negative light as to the result that came out of

it, which was though he suffered, it made him see his purpose. Man’s Search for Meaning is

more than just a book that talks about the physical tortures one faced in the camps. But it

delves deep into the psychology of those involved. Not just the prisoners but the SS soldiers

as well. It involved the choices they had to make in order to not only survive but also in

finding a deeper purpose to their choice.

Shock was the first reaction of the passengers on the train on reading the Auschwitz sign

outside their coach. They have heard of the gas chambers, the crematoriums of the

concentration camp and were probably in disbelief that they themselves were right there at its

gates. Frankl did not know where his fate lied, but one thing was certain. Suffering. That is

what waited for him and his fellow comrades within those barbed wires. On entering the

camp, they were all stripped of their clothes as well as their humanity. How they were treated

eventually caused them trouble after liberation as well, as they were in a state of confusion,

disillusionment. They had difficulty adjusting to life outside of camp. But Frankl noticed that

finding meaning in even the most horrible place on earth at the time, gave him the ability to

survive, mentally and physically and even for the others.

Frankl came up with the concept of “existential vacuum”, which essentially means it is a state

in which individuals have the feelings of meaninglessness because they have not found or lost

their meaning in life. This can lead to apathy or worthlessness. Frankl felt apathy and he

knew the other prisoners felt it as well. The indifferent feeling to seeing someone died, or

beaten up, or in pain. He saw that this “existential vacuum” in most of the prisoners and it

further strengthened his theory of how those without meaning in their lives, gave up on life

faster than the rest.

In the camp, Frankl noticed two types of prisoners. The first being those that have lost faith,

meaning and hope in the future and those that did not. The ones who held on to hope in the

camps were the ones who were more likely to survive. The concept of “tragic optimism”,

coined by Frankl, plays an important role here. It helps the prisoner keep his goal or purpose

in mind, despite the pains of life, or even death, because of how his suffering ultimately has a

positive outcome. Frankl discovered that in life, once a person has a “why” in his life, he will

always be able to face the “how” that follows. For himself, he envisioned the future lectures
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that he would be giving. Talking about his experiences and his challenges. This helped him in

surviving. This was his “why” in life. Why he needed to survive. In order to tell his story.

Through his experiences, Frankl discovered Logotherapy, which would be to help people find

their purpose in life. It is this theory that helped him survived his Holocaust experience and

how these experiences further developed his theory more.

In the midst of severe suffering, one can easily lose hope and see their life as a meaningless

straight line or something that is just waiting to disappear. He or she loses sight of any

meaning in life. They end up spiraling in their own misery, waiting for the end to come. One

can imagine that is what the prisoners, too, felt in the camps. No more hope for a future that

was uncertain, they did not know what fate had in store for them. But logotherapy comes in

with a contradicting theory that helps people by saying that even in suffering, there is always

meaning in it. According to logotherapy, the strive to find meaning in one’s life is “the

primary motivational force in man.” (Frankl 104). Frankl states that logotherapy is something

that wills man to find meaning in contrast to the pleasure principle which is based on

Freudian psychoanalysis, as well as in contrast with that of Adlerian psychology, which is the

“will to power”. For example, there was a patient who fell ill to typhus in the camp. When he

was told of his illness, the man immediately gave up hope and ultimately succumbed to

death. The man had lost hope and meaning in life on hearing about the illness, which was not

terminal. But it was his lack of hope that brought death easier to him.

In his book, Frankl gives multiple examples of how humans have lost hope and meaning in

their lives. For example, an elderly practitioner came to him with a severe case of depression.

It was caused due to the loss of his wife who had passed away two years ago. Frankl asked

the practitioner instead what would have happened if it was the practitioner who died and his

wife survived him. The practitioner realized how it would be she to suffer terribly. Though
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Frankl could not change the situation of the practitioner, he was successful in showing that

his suffering was not without meaning.

One of the basic principles of logotherapy is that it is not man’s concern to find pleasure or to

avoid pain but rather to see a meaning in life. He emphasizes that everyone has the freedom

to choose their reactions to certain situations. In order to find meaning in one’s meaning in

life, he or she has to have the inner freedom on how to react to the different events that may

take place in their lives.

Frankl wrote Man’s Search for Meaning, not only for people to know about what happened in

those camps, but he wrote it to show that meaning and hope are not lost if one is suffering.

Through his experiences, Frankl was able to come up with a whole new field of study,

logotherapy. It became his life’s work to convey the message that suffering is never

meaningless. But he also stresses upon the fact that suffering is not necessary for meaning.

Logotherapy can also be considered a rehumanizing type of psychology that focuses on

treating patients as humans. It helps those who have gone through traumatic events such as

being treated less than humans, being seen as animals. Logotherapy aims at also bringing

such people to understand their worth and also that their lives on earth have a purpose.

With Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl explains how the SS soldiers paid no notice to them,

as though they were animals not worthy to be noticed of. The psychology of the prisoners

would gradually change overtime with this kind of treatment. Logotherapy helps such cases

by bringing back their humanity, or rather by giving them back their humanity that has been

taken away from them.

In logotherapy, Frankl identifies triad of meaning as the three main ways as to how an

individual can find meaning. These are creative works, experiential values and attitudinal
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values. These form the foundation of the logotherapy in understanding how humans can find

meaning, even in the face of suffering.

In creative works, Frankl means finding meaning through what we contribute to the world. It

could be creative acts, professional achievements or any work that gives life meaning. He

emphasized that meaning is not confined to grand creations but also includes everyday tasks

where one can make a difference, such as nurturing relationships, building communities, or

raising children. As for experiential values, this path finds meaning through our experiences,

such as appreciating beauty, love and so on. Frankl saw love as the highest form of

experiential meaning. For example, even in the concentration camps, Frankl found meaning

in his memories of his wife and the love he had for her, which provided him with a sense of

purpose and hope. This serves to remind the readers that finding meaning comes not just from

what we do but also from how we engage with life and appreciate it.

Attitudinal values, however, refer to finding meaning through the attitude we take towards

unavoidable suffering or hardships. When individuals face circumstances they cannot change,

such as illness, or death, the way they respond can become a source of meaning. Frankl

himself, while going through such rough situations argued that even in the direst

circumstances, humans can choose their attitude. He believed that in situations of suffering

where no positive change is possible, the ability to endure with dignity, courage and a sense

of purpose can be deeply meaningful.

This is often seen as the most profound form of meaning, as it shows that even when

everything is taken away, the freedom to choose one’s attitude reminds.

Frankl’s own suffering stands as a testament for logotherapy. His experiences in the camps

had profound impacts on the development of the field. He also saw this through his

comrades. Those who held on to hope for the future, or those who held on to the memories of
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their loved ones. They had a higher chance of surviving than those who simply who lost all

hope.

Out of the unimaginable circumstances that Frankl faced, he was able to find meaning in life

despite all odds. His work has contributed greatly to the filed of psychology and more to the

understanding of human resilience. Logotherapy stands as a testimony in Man’s Search for

Meaning, that out of human suffering, there is a renewal of purpose and meaning in a

person’s life. It is also crucial to understanding the text since it encapsulates Frankl’s

philosophy that meaning can be found in all aspects of life.