The meaning of life is unique and personal. Frankl argues that we cannot find the meaning of life in general terms,
but only in the specific situations and tasks that we face. He says that we have to listen to what life expects from
us, and act accordingly. We can discover our meaning by creating a work, loving someone, or overcoming suffering.
Suffering can be a source of growth and meaning. Frankl shares his experiences in a concentration camp, where he
witnessed the worst of human cruelty and misery. He says that even in such extreme conditions, some prisoners were
able to find a reason to live and a sense of dignity. He says that suffering is not a necessary or desirable part of
life, but if we cannot avoid it, we can transform it into a human achievement and a spiritual opportunity.
We have the freedom to choose our attitude. Frankl emphasizes that the last of human freedoms is the ability to choose
one’s attitude in any given circumstance. He says that we can always find something to live for, even if we have lost
everything else. He says that we can preserve our inner freedom and spiritual integrity by not giving up hope and by
not becoming bitter or hateful.
Logotherapy is a therapy of meaning. Frankl introduces his own version of existential analysis, which he calls
logotherapy. He says that logotherapy is based on the premise that the primary motivation of human beings is to find
meaning in life, and that meaning can be found even in the most hopeless situations. He says that logotherapy helps
people to find their own answers to the question of meaning, and to fulfill their unique potential.
Chapter 2: Logotherapy in a Nutshell
The meaning of life is unique and personal. Frankl argues that there is no general answer to the question of what is the
meaning of life, but rather each individual has to find his or her own specific meaning in every situation. He also says
that this meaning can change over time and that we have to take responsibility for fulfilling it.
Love is the highest expression of meaning. Frankl describes how his love for his wife, who had died in a concentration
camp, gave him the strength to survive and to transcend his suffering. He believes that love is the ultimate way to
experience the essence of another person and to discover one’s own potentialities.
Suffering can be a source of meaning. Frankl does not deny the horror and pain of life in a concentration camp, but he
shows how even in such extreme conditions, some prisoners were able to find a purpose and a value in their existence. He
says that suffering is not necessary for meaning, but if it is unavoidable, it can be turned into a human achievement
and a personal growth.
The freedom of choice is the last human freedom. Frankl emphasizes that even when everything is taken away from a
person, he or she still has the freedom to choose how to respond to the situation. He says that this freedom of choice
is the basis of human dignity and that it enables us to shape our own destiny.
Postscript: The Case for a Tragic Optimism
The meaning of life is unique and personal. Frankl argues that there is no general answer to the question of what the
meaning of life is, but rather each individual has to find his or her own specific meaning in every situation. This
meaning can be fulfilled by creating a work, by loving someone, or by rising above suffering.
The will to meaning is the primary motivation of human beings. Frankl rejects the idea that human behavior is driven by
instincts or unconscious forces, and instead proposes that humans are motivated by the desire to find a meaning in their
lives. He also criticizes the notion that meaning is a mere defense mechanism or rationalization, and asserts that
meaning is a genuine and authentic value that can be discovered and realized by anyone.
Logotherapy is a form of existential analysis that helps people find meaning in life. Frankl developed logotherapy as a
psychotherapeutic method that focuses on the future, on the meanings to be fulfilled by the patient in his or her
future. Logotherapy also helps people cope with existential frustration, noögenic neurosis, and existential vacuum,
which are states of meaninglessness that can lead to depression, aggression, or addiction.
Conscience is a manifestation of the human spirit that guides us to find meaning. Frankl conceives of conscience as a
voice that tells us what our specific meaning in a given situation is. He believes that conscience is based on a
biological and spiritual heritage that contains a set of values and potentialities that are unique to each person. He
also warns against the dangers of conformism and totalitarianism that can silence or distort our conscience.
Life can retain its meaning even in the most difficult circumstances. Frankl illustrates this point by sharing his
experiences in the concentration camps, where he was able to find meaning in his suffering, in his love for his wife,
and in his work on his manuscript. He also provides examples of other people who were able to overcome their despair and
find a reason to live, such as a mother who lost her son, a scientist who had an unfinished work, and a prisoner who had
a child waiting for him. He advises us to live as if we were living for the second time and had to correct the mistakes
we made the first time.