# Man's Search for Meaning Author: [[Viktor Frankl]] ## Review This is a short and highly engaging book divided into two parts. The first part is a retelling of the authors experience in Nazi concentration camps and the importance of meaning and purpose for survival. The second part of the book gives a high level description of logotherapy, which is a form of psychotherapy invented by the author that puts the search for meaning in life at the center of mental health. This was the first memoir I have read about life in a concentration camp. Although I generally know what happened inside these camps, reading a detailed account is shocking. The most interesting part of his retelling is the observation and description of people's emotions and behaviour. Frankl divides the life of camp survivors into three phases. The first is the arrival to the camp. Prisoners had abnormal emotional reactions to their environment, failing to grasp the gravity of the situation. Some held out hope, others tried to retain valuables, and others turned to humor. The second phase of camp life was marked by daily routines and apathy. Camp prisoners grew accustomed to beatings, pain and death. The author recounts a memory of seeing one of his patients being dragged dead through the mud, and he remembers it because he was surprised by his lack of emotion. The third phase for camp survivors came after liberation. They had dreamed of regaining freedom for so long but were unable to feel happy about it. They felt detachment and had to learn to enjoy life again. Some prisoners became bitter after liberation because they did not get the empathy or respect they felt they deserved after surviving the camps. Having a future to look forward to was one of the important factors for surviving the camps. Prisoners who felt they have nothing to live for, no purpose or goals, would descend into a state apathy towards life and slowly decay towards death. The second part of the book covers the author's psychological and philosophical ideas known as logotherapy, which were strengthened by his experience in the camps. The core idea of logotherapy is that humans strive to find meaning in their life. Rather than seek pleasure and avoid suffering, our lives are driven by the need to fulfill a purpose. A lack of purpose is often the root of poor mental health. Helping to find meaning can alleviate mental suffering. Finding meaning can take time, and with many of his patients meaning was found at some future point after consulting with him. Live to search for a personal meaning, which will come someday, and look forward to when you find meaning rather than dreading a lack of meaning today. As with a movie, the meaning of a life can only be fully grasped once the life has ended. It is our responsibility to live each moment in accord with our values, so that we can reach our full potential and fulfill our meaning. The integration of concentration camp stories and psychological interpretation created an inspirational book. It prompted me to reflect on my search for meaning. What could my personal meaning be and how can I actualize that on a daily basis? I also decided to read another of his books with more detail on logotherapy because I would like to know what methods he uses to help people find meaning. ## Key Ideas - [[Finding a sense of purpose]] - [[Resources/Kindle Quotes/The Will to Meaning]] ## Related