Man’s Search for Meaning Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer sections of our study guides are a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss literature.

Ask a question and get answers from your fellow students and educators.

  • Browse Questions

Man's Search for Meaning

How was frankl released from camp, what is an example of a ethos, pathos, and logos described throughout the book: mans search for meaning, frankl describes a "moral deformity" (83) of the prisoners as part of the third stage. what does he mean by "moral deformity", why, according to frankl, is it "impossible to define the meaning of life in a general way" (77), frankl writes that "we had forgotten our youthful resolutions of long ago and we failed" (68). what were these resolutions and how were they not met why weren't they met, frankl states his original intent on page 14. what was it.

man's search for meaning essay questions

man's search for meaning essay questions

Man’s Search for Meaning

Victor frankl, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Man’s Search For Meaning is a work of non-fiction that deals with Viktor Frankl’s experience living in Nazi concentration camps, as well as his psychotherapeutic technique called logotherapy . Frankl never gives the reader a linear narrative of his time in the camps—instead, he is more focused on explaining how the daily struggles of camp life affected the mental state of its inmates. As a result, he only gives details about his experience when those details can be used as evidence for his psychological theories.

Frankl says that based on his observations of his fellow inmates, the typical prisoner passes through three mental stages: shock in the first few days after his arrival, apathy and “emotional death” once he has become used accustomed to life in camp, and disillusionment with life after he has been liberated. Most of the first section of the book, “Experiences in a Concentration Camp,” explores what happened to apathetic prisoners and how Frankl managed to avoid this apathy.

The core of Frankl’s philosophy is that a man’s deepest desire is to find meaning in his life, and if he can find that meaning, he can survive anything. Frankl found meaning in his experiences in the concentration camp by deciding that he was going to use his suffering as an opportunity to make himself a better person. Instead of becoming apathetic and accepting that he was doomed, he chose to embrace his suffering. According to Frankl, while a man’s destiny in life is certainly affected by the circumstances in which he finds himself, he is ultimately free to choose his own path in life. Even in the worst situation possible, man always has the freedom to choose his attitude towards life.

Frankl claims that there are three ways to find meaning in life: through work, through love, and through suffering. Frankl kept his will to meaning —or his desire to live a meaningful life—alive through his three years in the camps by focusing on the potential meanings he could create for himself. In addition to finding meaning in his suffering, Frankl motivated himself by thinking about the work he wanted to do after leaving camp. Namely, he wanted to rewrite his manuscript about logotherapy—a manuscript that the Nazis took from him when he arrived at Auschwitz. Frankl also found hope in love, and the image of his wife helped him through many of his most difficult times.

Frankl was able to use his work, love, and suffering to keep himself alive because he felt that he was responsible for and to them. He argues that humans cannot understand the general meaning, or super-meaning of life—instead, we must look for ways to make each individual moment valuable. Every person has a unique vocation that only he can accomplish, and he is responsible for undertaking this job.

The second section of the book, “Logotherapy in a Nutshell,” is devoted to explaining Frankl’s ideas about logotherapy in more detail. He explains that man’s will to meaning can become existentially frustrated , which can in turn provoke noögenic neuroses . In other words, if a man cannot find the meaning or purpose in his life, he can develop mental problems that need to be addressed. Frankl argues that everyone should strive to be in a state of noö-dynamics , in which there is a tension between what one has already done and what one hopes to accomplish. To Frankl, this tension between past and present is vital to mental health. For those who need therapy, Frankl helps them overcome their anxieties and fears by using paradoxical intention , in which the person tries to bring about the precise thing he fears. Ultimately, logotherapy seeks to help its patients develop goals—whether they be getting rid of a phobia or surviving a horrible situation—and finding ways to meaningfully accomplish them.

Frankl ends his book by saying that “man is that being who invented the gas chambers at Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord’s Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips.” Frankl believes that while man is certainly capable of doing evil, no individual human must be evil. Every human has the capacity to change his behavior and attitude in every possible situation. In his postscript, Frankl reaffirms this belief as the basis for his tragic optimism , or belief in the importance of saying “yes” in spite of everything.

The LitCharts.com logo.

Man's Search for Meaning

Guide cover image

51 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Key Figures

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Preface Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface to the 1992 edition.

The Preface provides a short introduction by the author. In this section, Frankl explains why he wrote the book in the first place: “I had wanted simply to convey to the reader by way of a concrete example that life holds a potential meaning under any conditions, even the most miserable ones. And I thought that if the point were demonstrated in a situation as extreme as a concentration camp, my book might gain a hearing. I therefore felt responsible for writing down what I had gone through, for I thought it might be helpful to people who are prone to despair” (xiv).

blurred text

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Featured Collections

Audio Study Guides

View Collection

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Religion & Spirituality

World War II

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Man's Search For Meaning — Man’s Search for Meaning: Finding the Real Purpose of Life in Frankl’s Work

test_template

Man's Search for Meaning: Finding The Real Purpose of Life in Frankl's Work

  • Categories: Man's Search For Meaning

About this sample

close

Words: 1429 |

Published: Nov 22, 2018

Words: 1429 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Literature

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3.5 pages / 1676 words

7 pages / 3276 words

6.5 pages / 3030 words

7 pages / 3092 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Man's Search For Meaning

Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable suffering. The book has become a cornerstone of existential psychology and has inspired [...]

Batthyany, Alexander. "What is Logotherapy and Existential Analysis?". Viktorfrankl.org. n.d.Frankl, Viktor Emil. Man's Search for Meaning, Boston: Beacon Press, 2006.Krasko, Vasily. "Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for [...]

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, is an exceptional journal, an awesome book, which will give the peruser much to consider, on such an extensive number of levels. I can scarcely envision how it has taken me this long [...]

In the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell uses several literary techniques to develop the theme that totalitarianism is destructive. He does so by using extensive imagery, focusing on the deterioration of the Victory Mansions, [...]

Romantic love and intimacy are common features in 1984 by George Orwell. The Party works to eradicate all physical sensations of love and depersonalise sex to the point where is it referred to as a 'duty to the party' for the [...]

The fear of a dystopian future that is explored in both Fritz Lang’s film Metropolis and George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty Four is reflective of the values of the societies at the time and the context of the authors. As [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

man's search for meaning essay questions

man's search for meaning essay questions

  • study guides
  • lesson plans
  • homework help

Man's Search for Meaning Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Essay Topic 1

What informs the principles of logotherapy? Did anything beyond the personal experiences of the author influence this theory? How does Frankl's life experience and example embody or exemplify the principles of logotherapy? What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of this theory? What do therapists practicing logotherapy do for their patients? What is the aim in logotherapy?

Essay Topic 2

Frankl's description of life in camp deals mostly with his own experience and the experiences of the men he was surrounded by. Women and children are nearly absent. Describe how you imagine life for a woman or child living under these circumstances might be different. Do you believe they would live through the same mental stages?

Essay Topic 3

Frankl describes three distinct phases in the mental life of the prisoners he lived with in concentration camps. What characterizes each of these phases? Do you believe...

(read more Essay Topics)

View Man

FOLLOW BOOKRAGS:

Follow BookRags on Facebook

Man’s Search for Meaning Review Essay (Book Review)

What the book has taught me, other lessons from the book.

“Man’s Search for Meaning” is a book written by Viktor Frankl, a holocaust survivor, and a doctor. The man’s work has left an immense impact on the literary scene and has been highly regarded by critics and the general audience alike. Detailing the author’s personal philosophy and way of life, it has offered readers a fresh and hopeful perspective on human existence. The purpose of this paper is to review the book’s contents, discuss some of its major themes and points, as well as to provide a personal perspective on its messaging and presentation. Starting with the general summary, this essay hopes to relay an honest opinion on Frankl’s work.

Being a physiological non-fiction story, the book describes the author’s pers journey to survival and self-discovery. The man tells his audience about the experiences of people living through German concentration camps, allowing strangers a glimpse into the horrors of that time. The man does not linger on the minute details too much, however, as his real-life experiences are mostly a tool to justify and contextualize his beliefs in a broader framework. The main purpose of the book is in outlining Frankl’s philosophy of Logotherapy, a process of finding meaning in human life. He contends that a singular individual is incapable of grasping the true meaning of their existence, a grand plan written for them by the universe. Instead, Frankl beliefs that people ought to find their own meaning in life, creating it as a result of their views on the world and experiences within it. By actively participating in life, acting in one’s interests, and building relationships with others, a person can find meaning in their existence. In his eyes, human purpose is self-made, regardless of an individual’s life circumstances or events they had to overcome.

Frankl believes that by understanding the meaning behind their life, a person is able to overcome any hardship and persevere against difficulties. Recontextualizing the events of one’s life and having a positive outlook is crucial here, as it allows one to control their feelings about any particular event. There are, however, three major driving factors behind human life, he contends: love, work, and courage. Love is the highest desire and goal to strive toward, finding meaning through creating relationships with other people and spreading kindness with others. Love is what has helped Frankl himself survive, as he continued to think about his wife in the concentration camp. Work can also become a driving factor if a person is truly invested in what they are doing. A passion to accomplish a challenging task, make one’s dream come true, or derive enjoyment from a satisfying activity can all fill a person’s life with meaning. A desire to cement one’s accomplishments in history through work can also be a motivating force, bringing significance even to momentary suffering. Courage, the last source of meaning, allows people to overcome difficulty and seek self-improvement in its stead. By facing the tide and coming out as a better person, one can find their calling. As much effort as it takes to find meaning, a person’s reasons to live are also specific to them and cannot be accomplished by anyone else. This outlook further highlights the importance of human life and shows that in the eyes of the author, every individual is special and valuable.

Frankl explains that the journey to self-fulfillment is difficult, and feelings of tension arise as a result of inner struggle. The human being is instinctively aware of the differences between their ideal self and the current self, which creates discomfort inseparable from the human experience. The mental gap between what one is and what one should become in the future is a crucial part of any person’s mental state.

The author also talks about the “Existential Vacuum”, a state of being that comes from a discrepancy between people’s instinct and the journey for meaning. The basic animalistic instinct that command lesser creatures have lost their power over humans, who are left unable to supplement the absence of meaning. Likewise, the diminishing traditions of the past become increasingly incapable of giving people a purpose in life, who are starting to struggle with finding a place to belong. These factors create an internal vacuum that results in feelings of meaninglessness and boredom. An increase in automation of work, people are left to ponder on their existence even further, making them dissatisfied and unproductive.

The book’s contents were extremely informative in shaping my understanding of resilience and coping mechanisms. When faced with challenges, pain, or great trauma, the human mind can often struggle to understand and recover from the experience creating long-term problems for an individual and their mental health. The need to ensure one’s wellbeing and health is what drives many people, including myself, to develop better coping mechanisms and strategies to overcome adversity and grow as individuals. This book, in particular, has taught me the ways to adjust my outlook on events to better process them. Frankl outlines that many of life’s challenges can be understood through a different lens, as an inevitable part of life that can and should be conquered. The author highlights the importance of finding a calling of some sort and reminding yourself of its importance to gain a better sense of context. This approach allowed me to establish a perspective on harmful events and understand that they do not ultimately define my life or my existence and that finding self-fulfillment in love, occupation, and connections with others are much more important. By reminding oneself of the future, the goals one desires to accomplish, and the things they want to experience, a person can survive a great many challenges.

Importance of Love

In my personal life journey, I have never been able to find a meaning of life for certain. In always seemed like my goals were too small and insignificant, and the boredom or disinterest I felt was overwhelming. For a long time, I thought that finding meaning was not that important, that I could continue living without it, satisfying some of the more trivial desires I had and quietly spending the rest of my days. Love, similarly, never really interested me, in a romantic sense at least. Building connections with other people is complicated and contrived, with the thousand different ways an individual can behave. I often felt that finding love was something I did not need or want, to do, as it seemed more like a societal expectation that a genuine benefit to my life as it is.

These feelings are still a big part of my being, and I cannot simply choose to feel differently about the things that are not ingrained into my being. However, I feel that this book has provided me with some of the much-needed perspectives on the question of love, a position that is different from my own in a distinct way. The author often speaks of the importance of love, how much of a role it played in his ability to survive horrible events and give his life a purpose. Frankl’s words on the subject seemed hopeful and inspiring, in a way that not many other forms of media can be. I feel that his word may make me want to reconsider my views and put more effort into finding self-fulfillment. Maybe creating genuine connections with other people will be beneficial to be mental well-being in ways I cannot currently imagine.

Changes in the World Climate Contribute to People’s Boredom and Lack of Purpose

In his writing, Frankl has noted an interesting trend that grows with the growth and the development of civilization. As technology develops and civilization becomes more and more separate from its origins, people are starting to feel increasingly displaced from their more basic roles in society. The simple worldview of old generations and the minimalistic outlook on the roles of men and women in society becomes unable to accommodate the diverse and ever-growing population of people. With the traditions of old being unable to support contemporary society, and new norms not having the ability to form, individuals, are left to figure out their place in the world by themselves. Many of the jobs humans have traditionally filled are being overtaken by automation, leaving people even fewer opportunities to find their calling in labor.

The boredom and a large discrepancy this phenomenon creates spreads boredom and harms the mental wellbeing of the many. While having thought about the issue previously, I have not been able to aptly put all my thoughts into words, and the book has allowed me a broader perspective on the issue. I think that understanding the need to redefine an individual’s role in society and allow people more opportunities for self-realization and fulfillment could make many people’s lives a lot more enjoyable, including mine. By giving this issue more attention, I think I will be able to combat the systematic boredom I, like many others, feel on a daily basis.

How the Book Connects With the Topics of The Course

As discussed previously, the book deals with many themes central to ensuring a person’s mental well-being and finding the meaning behind their existence. The author talks at length about some of the tactics he used to overcome the horror of concentration camps, connecting with the topic of coping mechanisms and managing stress. Frankl has persevered against suffering by deriving meaning in its existence and making its presence and invaluable part of his personal growth. He also used things dear to his heart both a motivation and a distraction to dull the emotional impact the event had on him. He teaches how to manage one’s grief and not lose hope in the face of great tragedy. His writing can also be connected with the notions of self-care and human wellness. Finding a purpose for life, in Frankl’s eyes, is what gives people the highest level of fulfillment and satisfaction. Devoting one’s time to another person, sharing affection and love, as well as working on something you enjoy are all important aspects of self-care that are recognized as valid reasons to live by the author.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 27). Man’s Search for Meaning Review. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mans-search-for-meaning-review/

"Man’s Search for Meaning Review." IvyPanda , 27 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/mans-search-for-meaning-review/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Man’s Search for Meaning Review'. 27 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Man’s Search for Meaning Review." March 27, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mans-search-for-meaning-review/.

1. IvyPanda . "Man’s Search for Meaning Review." March 27, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mans-search-for-meaning-review/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Man’s Search for Meaning Review." March 27, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/mans-search-for-meaning-review/.

  • “Man's Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl
  • Vocation in Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning"
  • Originality and Value in “Man’s Search of Meaning”
  • The Mystery of God and Human Being in “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Frankl
  • "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl
  • The Life of a Human Being in C. S Lewis “The Great Divorce” and “Man’s Search for Meaning” a Book by Victor Frankl
  • Do we Have Meaning?
  • Comparison of Jean-Paul Sartre's and Viktor Frankl's Theories
  • Religious Studies. Kushner's "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" and Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning"
  • “The Death of Ivan Ilych” by Tolstoy: The Main Characters
  • Brothers and Their Riches: "The Rich Brother" by Tobias Wolff
  • Connie’s Character in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oates
  • The Making of a Hero: Jefferson in A Lesson Before Dying. Ernest J. Gaines
  • Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”
  • “The Most Dangerous Job” by Schlosser

Shortform Books

Shortform Books

The World's Best Book Summaries

Man’s Search for Meaning: 8 Book Club Questions

' src=

This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Man's Search For Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.

Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here .

Are you looking for Man’s Search for Meaning book club questions to help you understand the book’s lessons?

Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning examines how Frankl’s theory of logotherapy can help you get through difficult and traumatic experiences. These Man’s Search for Meaning book club questions can help you examine and evaluate the major lessons from Man’s Search for Meaning .

Try these Man’s Search for Meaning book club questions and exercises.

Man’s Search for Meaning: Book Club Questions

Using these Man’s Search for Meaning book club questions to understand major lessons from Man’s Search for Meaning . The questions are sorted by theme according to lessons in the book.

Choosing in the Face of Powerlessness

Use this exercise to discover choices you can make in a situation that feels like it’s out of your control. Think about the lessons from Man’s Search for Meaning as you answer the questions.

Think of a situation in your life where you felt powerless, like there weren’t any choices you could make. Briefly summarize the situation, and write about how the powerlessness made you feel.

Usually, there are concrete choices available to us – we just might not like them. In retrospect, were there any choices available to you, even extreme ones? What made it hard to see those choices, or to go through with them?

Are you going through a difficult time in your life? If so, could you draw on inner lives, future goals, or freedom to choose to get you through it? Describe how it might help.

Think On Your Deathbed

Use these Man’s Search for Meanin g book club questions to start thinking about the meaning of your life right now.

You’re on your deathbed and looking back on your life. What do you hope to see in your life?

What choices are you currently making to create that life now? What changes could you make to start heading in that direction?

The 3 Paths to Meaning

Logotherapy lays out 3 paths that can help you discover meaning in your life. Instead of treating them as hypothetical paths, let’s examine them as concrete questions about where you find meaning with these Man’s Search for Meaning book club questions.

List 3 achievements, accomplishments, things you created, or deeds you’ve done in your life that you’re proud of. Write down why you’re proud to have done those things, and why you believe them to be meaningful. 

List 2 people or things in your life you love deeply. Would you be willing to make a large sacrifice for those 2 things? Why or why not?

Write about 1 situation in your life that caused or causes you suffering. Were you able to find meaning in that suffering? If so, what was it? If not, look back at your previous responses–can you relate your suffering to a purpose that connects with one of those answers

Integrate Your Takeaways

Once you’ve completed the book, use these Man’s Search for Meaning book club questions to write out what sticks with you the most from the book. What’s your biggest takeaway?

Think of a time in your own life when you’d have benefitted from knowing this takeaway–what was the situation, and why would this takeaway have helped?

What change could you make in your life right now to help you integrate this takeaway into your existence? (For example, if your biggest takeaway is that every situation has meaning, maybe you could start a journal where you write down one meaningful thing that happened per day.)

———End of Preview———

Like what you just read read the rest of the world's best book summary and analysis of viktor e. frankl's "man's search for meaning" at shortform ..

Here's what you'll find in our full Man's Search For Meaning summary :

  • How Viktor Frankl survived four Nazi death camps
  • Frankl's life-changing advice for coping with suffering
  • Why focusing on what you enjoy isn't enough to make your life meaningful
  • ← What Color Is Your Parachute: Flower Exercise
  • Unemployment Stress Is Normal: How to Cope →

' src=

Carrie Cabral

Carrie has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember, and has always been open to reading anything put in front of her. She wrote her first short story at the age of six, about a lost dog who meets animal friends on his journey home. Surprisingly, it was never picked up by any major publishers, but did spark her passion for books. Carrie worked in book publishing for several years before getting an MFA in Creative Writing. She especially loves literary fiction, historical fiction, and social, cultural, and historical nonfiction that gets into the weeds of daily life.

You May Also Like

How to Enjoy Everyday Life: Finding Joy in Mastering the Mundane

How to Enjoy Everyday Life: Finding Joy in Mastering the Mundane

The 7 Best Business Biographies, Rated by CEOs

The 7 Best Business Biographies, Rated by CEOs

How Connecting With Your Child Helps You Face 4 Challenges

How Connecting With Your Child Helps You Face 4 Challenges

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle: Book Overview

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle: Book Overview

A brain emerging from a top hat with emotions coming out of it, representing how to release negative emotions from the body.

How to Release Negative Emotions From the Body & Mind

The Daily Laws: Robert Greene’s 366 Meditations (Overview)

The Daily Laws: Robert Greene’s 366 Meditations (Overview)

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

FREEBookNotes

  • 168,891 literary resources
  • 172 content providers
  • 53,470 books

A Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Thesis Statements and Essay Topics

Below you will find four outstanding thesis statements / paper topics for “A Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl that can be used as essay starters. All four incorporate at least one of the themes found in “A Man’s Search for Meaning” and are broad enough so that it will be easy to find textual support, yet narrow enough to provide a focused clear thesis statement. These thesis statements offer a short summary of “A Man’s Search for Meaning” in terms of different elements that could be important in an essay. You are, of course, free to add your own analysis and understanding of the plot or themes to them. Using the essay topics below in conjunction with the list of important quotes from  “A Man’s Search for Meaning”  on our quotes page, you should have no trouble connecting with the text and writing an excellent essay.

Thesis Statement #1: The Need to Find Meaning in Life

In spite of his horrific experience in the concentration camp, Viktor Frankl is determined not to lose heart and succumb to the cruelty of his captors. He will not let them break his spirit, believing that true freedom is achieved by controlling our attitude toward the situations we inherit. Existentialists believe that “to live is to suffer; to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.” How is it that Frankl survived, while so many others did not? Using specific evidence from Frankl’s book, write an essay in which you explain how he demonstrates his belief in this existential theory. Cite several instances where Frankl’s words, thoughts, or actions demonstrate his implementation of this existential philosophy in an effort to survive his ordeal.

Thesis Statement #2: Logotherapy As Salvation

The word “logotherapy” is derived from the Greek word for meaning, “logos.” All humans seek meaning in their lives, and Frankl believes that logotherapy is the most effective means of helping people who sometimes exhibit self-destructive behavior because they have difficulty finding meaning in their lives. He criticizes the commonly used Freudian method of psychoanalysis as being less affirmative and introspective than logotherapy, and therefore less effective. Given his explanation of his experience in the concentration camp in Part I, and looking closely at his declared benefits of logotherapy in Part II, how convinced are you that this method of dealing with life’s hardships is effective? What evidence can you cite from the book that supports your view? Write an essay in which you examine Frankl’s rationale for logotherapy against his experience in the camp.

Thesis Statement #3: Man’s Cruelty to Man

In this book Frankl talks about how some of the Jewish prisoners, whom he calls “capos,” eventually turned their allegiance against their own people and worked for their captors as a means of survival. He tells us that they were often more cruel than the Nazis and ate food that was much better than they ever had in their previous lives before they were captured. Why is it that people sometimes turn against their own kind to survive? How can they be so cruel to those who were once their friends and neighbors? What, if anything, do they sacrifice in doing so? Would logotherapy help such people? If so, how? If not, why not? Write an explanatory essay in which you address these questions, discussing the behavior of these “capos” in the book and the consequences of their actions for themselves and others. Use evidence from the text to support your explanation.

Home / Essay Samples / Literature / Man's Search For Meaning / Reflection on Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”

Reflection on Viktor Frankl’s "Man's Search for Meaning"

  • Category: Literature , Philosophy , Life
  • Topic: Man's Search For Meaning , Meaning , Suffering

Pages: 2 (746 words)

Views: 5532

  • Downloads: -->

Importance to me

  • Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Emil Frankl. (n.d.). Retrieved September 18, 2019, from https://www.enotes.com/topics/mans-search-for-meaning
  • Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1984. Print.
  • LitCharts. (n.d.). Man's Search for Meaning Summary. Retrieved September 17, 2019, from https://www.litcharts.com/lit/man-s-search-for-meaning/summary

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Adversity Essays

Kindness Essays

Empathy Essays

Inspiration Essays

Hope Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service  and  Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->