Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy - Instant-Summary

Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy

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  • Release Date: 2019-12-18
  • Genre: Study Aids
Score: 5
5
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Description

Man's Search for Meaning: A Comprehensive Summary

To say that Man’s Search for Meaning is a book about the Holocaust would be to limit the book’s relevance. Of course, Frankl does share his experiences as a prisoner in some of the Holocaust’s most violent camps, but the book that was written as a product of his experiences parallels Frankl’s main message about this dark time in his life, as well as his psychological philosophy: meaning can be found in everything we do.
Frankl’s experiences as a prisoner are not meant to explain the horrors that millions of individuals faced in concentration camps. It also does not focus on the heroes of the camps: men and women who somehow triumphed over their position in grand ways. Rather, Frankl shares his experiences in order to shed light on the day to day lives of the average inmate and the fact that they are his personal experiences validates many of his observations, as well as his resulting psychological theories. By personalizing what happened to the men around him, Frankl’s message about finding hope and purpose in even the worst situations is highlighted.
Logotherapy, Frankl’s psychological theory, posits that all individuals in life struggle to find meaning, and many of the neuroses that patients develop are a result of not fulfilling this goal. Meaning is not something that one discovers in life, however. It is something that every individual must define for himself, moment to moment. This can be done through the work that they do, the love that they have for another human being, or the way in which they endure suffering. Suffering in particular is a point of focus in logotherapy because it shows that even in the worst conditions imaginable, even in Auschwitz and with no liberties, there is meaning and purpose to find in transcending our human limitations and choosing to endure our suffering with dignity and even pride.
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Reviews

  • Great read

    5
    By Erica_Llopez
    The book got off to a slow start. I was not sure if I was even going to like the book. Then all of a sudden the book began to take a turn for the better. I was able to begin picturing the author as a prisoner and identifying with his story. He makes a complex situation so simple. Unlike him I am not sure if I could have survived in those times. I think it pays to have an education as this book teaches. Logotherapy is an interesting approach to psychotherapy. The author goes from suffering and pain to discussing how to be free. He discusses what can not be taken from any man at the end pf the day. Inspirational, thought provoking and mind altering. Thank for this literary contribution. Another book brought me here and I am glad I came.

  • Recommended

    5
    By Veronica W Hopkins
    A truly insightful look at searching for a purpose in your life, and the results. This book was recommended to my by a therapist friend, and I couldn't believe I had never read it before. Everyone I talk to has already read it, even years ago. So glad I had the chance to read it, although the first half of the book is a heartbreaking look at his concentration camp experiences, it has to be outlined in order to see why he came to the conclusions about life that he did, and why they make so much sense. Highly recommend.

  • Great resource

    5
    By Stephane Reyess
    i was looking for words and ideas to pass along to a friend who was tragically disabled, and is not adjusting/accepting well, and I found some things of substance here. I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels they have hit bottom, and could benefit from a new perspective. In my own words, "Attitude is Everything!"

  • A great book.

    5
    By Hasan VA
    This consummate classic is a must read for everyone - multiple times. Frankl's experience in concentration camps during WWII is analyzed through his psychiatrist lens and the framework of logotherapy. Fundamental to understanding the meaning of life is to have a purpose and direction. Perhaps the most interesting quote is in the Afterword - written by William Winslade. In the Afterword, Winslade notes that while Freud explored depth psychology - focusing on the past, Frankl practiced "height" psychology - focus on the future. His insights into the meaning of suffering, coping with hopelessness, and deriving meaning from life itself are must reads and must remembers.

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