Wo/man’s Search for Meaning: a Recommendation

Have you ever read one of those books that you just know is going to have a profound effect on you? I have been lucky enough to have come across a few of these, however, it is hard to find something more impactful than Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”. Frankl was a concentration camp survivor in World War II and emerged from his experience with an incredible story to tell.

In part one of his book, Frankl describes his time in the concentration camp and the different stages of adjustment that he experiences: shock, apathy, and disillusionment (to greatly simplify). Ultimately, however, Frankl concludes that, even in the most horrendous conditions, we all have the freedom of choice and emphasized the importance of a positive attitude. Frankl also posited that the meaning of life comes from each moment of living.

In part two, Frankl connects his experiences and applies them to his theory of Logotherapy, which was founded in “the belief that striving to find meaning in life is the primary, most powerful motivating and driving force in humans”.[1]

So, in a world full of happiness and pleasure seeking, why not try out a little more meaning and see how it feels?

1. (Maria Marshall; Edward Marshall (4 August 2012). Logotherapy Revisited: Review of the Tenets of Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy. Ottawa Institute of Logotherapy. ISBN 978-1-4781-9377-7.)