Man’s Search For Meaning
Man’s Search For Meaning Full Chapter Book Notes
The book explores the background and theoretical implication of logotherapy by looking back at the bloody and criminal history of Nazi Germany. While looking into the meaning of rehabilitation among people in extremis, this book bears the most glorious testimony in the history of human nature. Logotherapy is also known as The Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy after Freudian psychoanalysis and Adlerian psychology. This book was named one of the Ten Most Influential Books in America by the Library of Congress.
Overview | Chapter 1
Hi, welcome to Bookey. Today we will unlock the book Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl.
When it comes to the conversation of finding meaning in life, people often find this topic to be a bit deep and far from our reach; when in fact, it is a topic that is closely associated with our lives.
More often than not, we find ourselves depressed and in pain due to certain negative experiences; experiences such as loosing a job, breaking up with our spouse or loved ones, or being involved in an accident. These experiences have the tendency of making us question our self-worth and plunging us into a deep state of depression and hurt.
When faced with these situations, we often associate the source of these negative emotions to anything that makes us feel unhappy. However, we rarely come to grip with the core problem, which is the fact that we are yet to find meaning in life or at least, have lost grip of it.
You might wonder, what does this book offer to bring us out from these situations? This book offers a way out of depression and negative emotions through the use of logotherapy. This concept, when applied successfully, is certain to reignite your passion for living by helping you find meaning in life.
It is worth noting that the birth place of the concept of logotherapy is Germany’s notorious Auschwitz camp during the Second World War. Many are familiar with the bloody and criminal history of Nazi Germany. Yet, only a few know that those who survived the inhuman torture in those concentration camps weren’t as thrilled and happy to be free. To them, it felt like hitting rock bottom again.
Why you may wonder, who would be unhappy to be free of such inhumane circumstance? The reason for this will be clear to you momentarily. The book Man’s Search For Meaning was named one of the Ten Most Influential Books in America by the Library of Congress.
The author of this book, Viktor E. Frankl, was a Jewish Austrian psychologist. During World War II, Frankl gave up the opportunity to flee to America for the sake of his aging parents. Hence, the whole family was imprisoned in Auschwitz camp. Facing such damning circumstance, Frankl was neither demoralized nor pessimistic. Not only did he strived to survive, he used his personal experience in Auschwitz to create logotherapy, thereby helping many people find meaning and rehabilitation from extremis. He has published 39 works that have been translated into 34 languages and sold around the globe.
To better understand Viktor E Frankl’s teaching from this book, we will discuss the key points therein in three vital parts:
In the first Part, we will discuss the Background of the concept of logotherapy;
In the second Part, we will take a look at How to find meaning in life?
And in the third Part, we will highlight the Three-step method to achieving meaning in life.