Viktor Frankl developed logotherapy after surviving Nazi concentration camps. Through his experiences in the camps, he observed that individuals could endure suffering by searching for meaning and purpose in life. After being liberated in 1945, he published his theory in the book Man's Search for Meaning. Logotherapy involves helping patients find personal meaning. Frankl believed humans are motivated by a will to find meaning and that life can have meaning even in terrible circumstances.
Viktor Frankl developed logotherapy after surviving Nazi concentration camps. Through his experiences in the camps, he observed that individuals could endure suffering by searching for meaning and purpose in life. After being liberated in 1945, he published his theory in the book Man's Search for Meaning. Logotherapy involves helping patients find personal meaning. Frankl believed humans are motivated by a will to find meaning and that life can have meaning even in terrible circumstances.
Viktor Frankl developed logotherapy after surviving Nazi concentration camps. Through his experiences in the camps, he observed that individuals could endure suffering by searching for meaning and purpose in life. After being liberated in 1945, he published his theory in the book Man's Search for Meaning. Logotherapy involves helping patients find personal meaning. Frankl believed humans are motivated by a will to find meaning and that life can have meaning even in terrible circumstances.
Viktor Frankl developed logotherapy after surviving Nazi concentration camps. Through his experiences in the camps, he observed that individuals could endure suffering by searching for meaning and purpose in life. After being liberated in 1945, he published his theory in the book Man's Search for Meaning. Logotherapy involves helping patients find personal meaning. Frankl believed humans are motivated by a will to find meaning and that life can have meaning even in terrible circumstances.
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VICTOR FRANKL’S EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Viktor Frankl is the founder of logotherapy, a form of psychotherapy that he
developed after surviving Nazi concentration camps. In 1942, his life abruptly changed. While struggling to survive in the Nazi camp, drawing from his experiences as well as observations, he developed the theory of logotherapy which claimed that through a search for meaning in life, individuals can endure and overcome suffering. After his experience in the camps, he developed a theory that it is through a search for meaning and purpose in life that individuals can endure hardship and suffering. . In 1945, he published a book “Man's Search for Meaning”.
Logotherapy "Logos" is the Greek word for meaning, and logotherapy involves helping a patient find personal meaning in life. Frankl provided a brief overview of the theory in Man's Search for Meaning. Frankl believed that humans are motivated by something called a "will to meaning," which equates to a desire to find meaning in life. He argued that life can have meaning even in the most miserable of circumstances and that the motivation for living comes from finding that meaning. Taking it a step further, Frankl wrote: Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances. This opinion was based on his experiences of suffering and his attitude of finding meaning through suffering. In this way, Frankl believed that when we can no longer change a situation, we are forced to change ourselves.
Core Properties Frankl believed in three core properties on which his theory and therapy were based: Each person has a healthy core. One's primary focus is to enlighten others to their own internal resources and provide the tools to use their inner core. Life offers purpose and meaning but does not promise fulfilment or happiness.
Finding Meaning Frankl proposed that meaning in life can be discovered in three distinct ways: By creating a work or doing a deed. By experiencing something or encountering someone. By the attitude that we take toward unavoidable suffering.
Basic Assumptions Frankl’s theory consists of six basic assumptions that overlap with the fundamental constructs and ways of seeking meaning listed above:
1. Body, Mind, and Spirit
The human being is an entity that consists of a body (soma), mind (psyche), and spirit (noos). Frankl argued that we have a body and mind, but the spirit is what we are, or our essence. Frankl's theory is not based on religion or theology, but often had parallels to these. His assumption departs from an atheistic materialism and shares striking similarities with certain religious views. 2. Life Has Meaning in All Circumstances Frankl believed that life has meaning in all circumstances, even the most miserable ones. This means that even when situations seem objectively terrible, there is a higher level of order that involves meaning. This assumption represents an acknowledgement of a higher order in the world: an order that transcends mere human laws. Consequently, even an objectively terrible situation can offer meaning.
3. Humans Have a Will to Meaning
Logotherapy proposes that humans have a will to meaning, which means that meaning is our primary motivation for living and acting and allows us to endure pain and suffering. This is viewed as differing from the will to achieve power and pleasure. This assumption embodies a significant departure from one’s will to achieve power and pleasure. It posits that the discovery of meaning is one’s primary motive for living.
4. Freedom to Find Meaning
Frankl argues that in all circumstances, individuals have the freedom to access that will to find meaning. This assumption draws heavily upon Frankl’s own experiences in the Nazi camps. It is based on his experiences of pain and suffering and choosing his attitude in a situation that he could not change. Under all circumstances, individuals are free to activate the will to discover meaning.
5. Meaning of the Moment
The fifth assumption argues that for decisions to be meaningful, individuals must respond to the demands of daily life in ways that match the values of society or their own conscience. This assumption is associated with the meaning of the moment in practical daily living rather than ultimate meaning.
6. Individuals Are Unique
Frankl believed that every individual is unique and irreplaceable. In response to the various demands of life, human beings experience unique situations. Additionally, they are constantly seeking meaning.
