Man's Search for Meaning

Frankl first defines logotherapy: “Logos is a Greek word which denotes ‘meaning.’ Logotherapy, or, as it has been called by some authors, ‘The Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy,’ focuses on the meaning of human existence as well as man’s search for such a meaning. According to logotherapy, this striving to find a meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in man.” (98-99).

The first two Viennese Schools of Psychotherapy are very well known: The first was founded by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Freud developed his theories of human psychology based on the human desire to experience pleasure and avoid pain. Later, Alfred Adler (1870-1937) offered a revision of Freud’s ideas by positing that man was motivated, not by individual pleasure seeking, but rather by a quest for power in the social sphere.

Frankl established logotherapy to reflect his belief that what truly motivates mankind is the search for meaning. Frankl observed his own reactions to camp life and those of his fellow prisoners and determined that there was something beyond the desire for either pleasure or power that kept them going. For Frankl, man finds meaning in human love, in achievement and accomplishment, and in dignity in the face of the suffering that is inevitable in every human lifetime. 

Especially in the realm of achievement and accomplishment, man looks forward.  Frankl explains that, “Logotherapy focuses rather on the future, that is to say, on the meaning to be fulfilled by the patient in his future. (Logotherapy is, indeed, a meaning centered therapy.)” (98).  For Frankl himself this involved completing and publishing his manuscript. This was one of the things Frankl looked forward to throughout his confinement.

Frankl, in his role as psychotherapist and creator of logotherapy, largely disagrees with the Freudian emphasis on childhood trauma. It is not the past that matters so much as what is yet to be done in the future. Thus, Freudian style analysis just keeps the patient stuck. By contrast, “logotherapy defocuses all the vicious-circle formations and feedback mechanisms which play such a great role in the development of neuroses. Thus, the typical self-centeredness of the neurotic is broken up instead of being continually fostered and reinforced” (98).

Frankl also emphasizes the need to take personal responsibility for one’s own life. Each person is unique and has a unique contribution to make. He can, at any given moment, decide to strive towards his purpose or to avoid it, out of fear or lethargy. According to Frankl, “Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stands up to them. In other words, man is ultimately self-determining. Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become in the next moment” (131).