Viktor E. Frankl: Man's Search For Meaning

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The harrowing events of The Holocaust threw the Austrian-born Jew, Viktor E. Frankl, into one of humanity’s darkest moments and it was this experience that inspired him to write Man’s Search for Meaning, and later in his life, Recollections an Autobiography. Despite his years in Nazi concentration camps, his critical observations, personal determination, and his deep understanding for the human psyche helped him, and countless numbers of people, find a meaning in life. His experience in several camps gave him a lens to see people’s indifference, their instinct to obey blindly, and also the egocentric mindsets that were common at the time. However, one of Viktor Frankl’s most admirable qualities, was his desire to see the light and potential …show more content…

While in Auschwitz they were separated, and never saw each other again. Within a period of three years, Frankl spent time in three concentration camps including the famous Dachau camp. It was during this horror-filled time that the bulk of his work was completed. He simply decided that the purpose in his suffering was to help other people find theirs, and that idea is what filled him with hope. Consequently, Frankl began to carefully observe prisoners, SS guards, and Nazi leaders to try and decode some aspects of human nature. By doing so, he was able to uncover the reason why some prisoners were able to continue moving forward even in the dreadful conditions of a camp, and why some people seemed to surrender. Thus, he began to aid people by helping them find a meaning in order to continue living. Whether it was a person they loved, a future project, or even thinking of their suffering as a way to avenge the death of a loved one, Viktor managed to fill people with hope by identifying a reason to live. The circumstances of The Holocaust tested the determination, faith, and unity among people, and Frankl’s resilience was evident. Moreover, it was clear that he practiced what he preached and always had a mindset that helped him overcome any hardship. Although he admits that luck played a crucial role in his survival, he also knows that his attitude is what kept him alive until the Americans liberated his camp. After he was set free, Frankl dedicated himself to writing his story in the book Man’s Search for Meaning. His book was an immediate success because of the weight of his message. Never before had the world read about life in a Nazi concentration camp through the eyes of a psychiatrist, and never before had the world heard of the

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