Austrian Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl (1905-1997) is probably best know for his book Man’s Search for Meaning. He was also the founder of logotherapy – a form of existential analysis which suggests that the greatest existential stress is meaninglessness. Frankl’s own conclusion from the extreme suffering in the concentration camps was that even in the most dehumanizing situations life continues to have potential meaning – and that suffering can actually contribute to this. His PhD dissertation, The Unconscious God, examines the relationship between psychology and religion.
We will explore some of his memorable insights over the coming weeks.
- When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer… his unique opportunity lies in the way he bears his burden – Viktor E. Frankl
- Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose – Viktor E. Frankl
- Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom – Viktor E. Frankl
- Even when it is not fully attained, we become better by striving for a higher goal – Viktor E. Frankl
As always, nice chatting…
He is one of my heroes of the faith too, Brian
He certainly managed to draw meaning from a life that would have destroyed most people, and left them bitter and cynical. He modelled what he taught.