Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl

PREFACEconstructed and gripping. On two occasions I haveread it through at a single sitting, unable to break awayfrom its spell. Somewhere beyond the midpoint of thestory Dr. Frankl introduces his own philosophy oflogotherapy. He introduces it so gently into the continuingnarrative that only after finishing the book doesthe reader realize that here is an essay of profounddepth, and not just one more brutal tale of concentrationcamps.From this autobiographical fragment the readerlearns much. He learns what a human being doeswhen he suddenly realizes he has "nothing to loseexcept his so ridiculously naked life." Frankl'sdescription of the mixed flow of emotion and apathy isarresting. First to the rescue comes a cold detachedcuriosity concerning one's fate. Swiftly, too, comestrategies to preserve the remnants of one's life,though the chances of surviving are slight. Hunger,humiliation, fear and deep anger at injustice are renderedtolerable by closely guarded images of belovedpersons, by religion, by a grim sense of humor, andeven by glimpses of the healing beauties of nature - atree or a sunset.But these moments of comfort do not establish thewill to live unless they help the prisoner make largersense out of his apparently senseless suffering. It ishere that we encounter the central theme of existentialism:to live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaningin the suffering. If there is a purpose in life at all, theremust be a purpose in suffering and in dying. But noman can tell another what this purpose is. Each mustfind out for himself, and must accept the responsibilitythat his answer prescribes. If he succeeds he will11